Real-time flight tracking shows you a plane's location, altitude, and speed as it flies

You can see where a plane is in the air using free websites and apps that track aircraft in real time. These services pull data from radar systems and aircraft transponders, so the information updates every few seconds. The most common tools are Flightradar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder — all three work on desktop and mobile, and none require payment to see basic flight information.

To find a specific plane, you need either the flight number (like United 447) or the aircraft's tail number (the registration code printed on the fuselage, starting with N in the United States). Once you enter that information, the map shows the plane's current position, the route it is flying, how fast it is going, and how high it is. You can also see where it took off from and where it is headed.

Key Takeaways

  • Flightradar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder are the three most widely used free flight-tracking websites, and all three show real-time aircraft location on a map.
  • You can search by flight number (the airline and number you see on your ticket) or by tail number (the aircraft registration code), and results appear within seconds.
  • Real-time tracking works for commercial flights worldwide, but some military and private aircraft do not broadcast their location.
  • If a flight is delayed or diverted, the tracking map updates automatically, so you can see the new route and estimated arrival time without refreshing.

Flightradar24: The most popular flight tracker

Flightradar24 is the largest flight-tracking service by user base. The free version shows you the plane's location, altitude, speed, and flight path on a zoomable map. You can click on any aircraft in the air to see its details, or search for a specific flight by number or tail number at the top of the page.

The paid version (Flightradar24+ or higher) adds features like 7-day flight history, detailed aircraft information, and the ability to see which specific aircraft is assigned to a flight before it departs. For most people checking on a single delayed flight, the free version is enough. The site works on any browser and has apps for iPhone and Android.

FlightAware: Best for detailed flight history

FlightAware is owned by Boeing and is used by airlines themselves to track their own operations. The free version shows real-time flight location, route, and estimated arrival time. You can search by flight number or tail number, and the site also lets you set up alerts so you get notified if a flight is delayed or cancelled.

FlightAware's free tier includes access to historical flight data — you can look up any flight from the past and see how often it runs late, what the typical flight time is, and whether it was cancelled. This is useful if you are trying to understand whether a delay is normal for that route. The paid version adds features like detailed weather overlays and aircraft ownership information.

Plane Finder: Works on older devices

Plane Finder is a lighter-weight option that works well on phones and tablets with older operating systems. It shows real-time aircraft location, altitude, and speed, and you can search by flight number or tail number just like the other services. The interface is simpler than Flightradar24, which some users prefer.

Plane Finder also has a paid tier that adds historical data and detailed aircraft specs, but the free version is sufficient if you just want to know where a plane is right now. The app is available for iOS and Android, and there is also a web version.

What information you can see for any flight

Once you find a flight on any of these trackers, you will see the same core information: the aircraft's current latitude and longitude on a map, its altitude in feet, its ground speed in knots or miles per hour, and the direction it is heading. You will also see the departure airport, the destination airport, and the estimated time of arrival based on the plane's current speed and distance remaining.

Most trackers also show you the aircraft type (Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and so on), the airline operating the flight, and sometimes the aircraft's age and previous flights that day. If the flight is delayed, the tracker updates the estimated arrival time automatically as the plane moves. If the flight is diverted to a different airport, the map and destination information change in real time.

Limitations: Military, private, and some international flights

Not every aircraft in the sky shows up on these trackers. Military aircraft, government planes, and many private jets do not broadcast their location to public tracking services. Some countries also restrict which aircraft data they allow to be shared publicly, so flights in certain regions may not appear or may show limited information.

Commercial flights operated by major airlines are almost always visible on these trackers. If you are looking for a flight and it does not appear, it is usually because the flight number is incorrect, the flight has not taken off yet, or the aircraft is not broadcasting its transponder signal for privacy or security reasons.

How to search if you only know the airline and time

If you do not have the exact flight number, most trackers let you search by airline and departure or arrival airport. On Flightradar24, use the search bar and type the airline name and airport code (like "United LAX" for United flights from Los Angeles). The results show all flights matching that search, and you can click on each one to see its details and current location.

FlightAware has a similar search function. If you know roughly when the flight departed or is arriving, you can narrow down the results by time. This method is slower than searching by flight number, but it works if you only have partial information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a plane's location if it is on the ground?

Yes. Planes show up on tracking maps while they are parked at the gate, taxiing, or sitting on the tarmac. Once the aircraft is stationary for more than a few minutes, the map stops updating, but you can still see its location. This is useful if you want to confirm a plane has landed.

Why does a flight disappear from the tracker?

A flight disappears from the map when it lands and the transponder is turned off, or if the aircraft stops broadcasting its signal. This is normal and happens within a few minutes of landing. If a flight disappears mid-flight, it usually means the transponder malfunctioned or the aircraft left the coverage area of the tracking network.

Do I need to pay to track a flight?

No. Flightradar24, FlightAware, and Plane Finder all offer free real-time flight tracking. Paid versions add extra features like historical data and alerts, but you do not need to pay to see where a plane is right now.

Can I track a flight using just the tail number?

Yes. All three major trackers let you search by tail number (the aircraft registration code). Enter the tail number in the search bar, and the tracker shows you that specific aircraft's current location and all flights it is operating that day.

How often does the location update?

Flight trackers update the aircraft's position every few seconds, usually between 5 and 15 seconds depending on the service and how much data the aircraft is broadcasting. This means you see nearly real-time movement of the plane across the map.