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

If you need to know where a specific plane is at this moment, three free websites will show you its position on a map: FlightRadar24, FlightAware, and ADS-B Exchange. All three pull data from the same source — signals that planes broadcast automatically to air traffic control — so they show nearly identical information with only seconds of delay.

To find a plane, you need either its flight number (like United 447) or its tail number, which is the aircraft's registration code printed on the fuselage (like N12345). Flight number searches work best because they're what passengers see on their tickets. If you know only the airline and departure time, you can search by route instead.

The map will show the plane's current location, its altitude in feet, its speed in knots or miles per hour, and the direction it's heading. Most sites update every few seconds during flight and show historical flight paths if the plane has already landed.

Key Takeaways

  • FlightRadar24 and FlightAware are the most user-friendly sites for finding a plane's real-time location and require no account or payment.
  • You can search by flight number (like Southwest 1234), tail number (like N98765), or route (like New York to Los Angeles) depending on what information you have.
  • The data updates every few seconds and shows altitude, speed, and heading in addition to the plane's position on the map.
  • If a plane is not showing up, it may be on the ground, still boarding, or flying in an area with limited radar coverage.

How to search on FlightRadar24

Go to flightradar24.com and you'll see a world map with active flights already plotted. At the top left is a search box. Type the flight number (for example, "AA100" for American Airlines 100) and press Enter. The map will center on that flight, and a sidebar will open showing its current altitude, speed, departure airport, destination airport, and the aircraft type.

If you have the tail number instead, type it with or without the "N" prefix — both "N12345" and "12345" will work. If you want to search by route, type the departure city or airport code, then the destination. For example, "LAX to JFK" will show all flights currently flying that route.

Click on any flight on the map to see more detail. The sidebar will expand to show the flight's history, including how long it has been in the air, how much longer until landing, and the aircraft's registration number.

How to search on FlightAware

Go to flightaware.com and you'll see a search box in the center of the page. Type the flight number, tail number, or route the same way you would on FlightRadar24. FlightAware's interface is slightly different — it shows a list of matching flights rather than jumping straight to the map — so if you search for a common route like "New York to Boston," you may see multiple flights and need to pick the right one by departure time.

Once you select a flight, FlightAware shows a map, the plane's current position, and a detailed timeline of events: when it took off, when it's expected to land, and any delays or gate changes. FlightAware also shows historical data for past flights if you search for a flight that has already landed.

What to do if the plane doesn't show up on the map

If you search for a flight and it doesn't appear, the most common reason is that the plane is still on the ground — either at the gate, being boarded, or waiting for pushback. Planes don't show up on these tracking sites until they request pushback from the gate or begin taxiing to the runway. Once airborne, they appear within seconds.

A second reason is that the flight may be too far in the future. If you search for a flight that departs tomorrow, it won't show up until the day of departure, usually an hour or two before the scheduled departure time.

A third reason is that the plane may be flying in an area with limited radar coverage. Most of the continental United States, Europe, and the North Atlantic have dense radar networks, but remote areas like the Pacific Ocean, parts of Africa, and the Arctic have gaps. In those areas, planes may not show up or may show up with a delay of several minutes.

Understanding what the map shows you

Each plane on the map appears as a small airplane icon pointing in the direction it's flying. The icon's color sometimes indicates the airline or aircraft type, depending on which site you're using. Clicking the icon opens a sidebar with the flight number, current altitude, current speed, and the aircraft's tail number.

The altitude is shown in feet above sea level. Commercial jets typically cruise between 30,000 and 42,000 feet. The speed is shown in knots (nautical miles per hour) or miles per hour depending on your settings. A typical cruising speed is around 450 to 500 knots.

The heading shows which compass direction the plane is flying — 0 degrees is north, 90 degrees is east, 180 degrees is south, and 270 degrees is west. This is the direction the plane's nose is pointing, not necessarily the direction it's moving, because wind can push a plane sideways.

Why these sites work without a subscription

FlightRadar24 and FlightAware both offer paid subscriptions with extra features like historical data, detailed airport information, and ad-free browsing. However, the basic flight tracking — finding a plane's current location — is free on both sites and requires no account.

The data comes from ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast), a system that aircraft are required to use. Planes broadcast their location, altitude, and speed automatically, and these signals are received by ground stations and shared publicly. The tracking sites collect this public data and display it on a map.

Because the data is public and the sites are free, you can check on a flight as many times as you want without logging in or paying anything.

How to track a plane if you're waiting for a passenger

If someone you know is on a flight and you want to know when they'll land, search for the flight number on FlightRadar24 or FlightAware. The sidebar will show the estimated landing time, which updates as the flight progresses. If the flight is delayed, the estimated landing time will change, and you'll see the delay reflected on the map.

Many airlines also send text or email notifications to passengers about delays and gate changes, so the passenger themselves may get the update before you see it on the tracking site. If you're picking someone up at the airport, the airline's website or the airport's website will also show gate information and landing times, often with more detail than the flight tracking sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a plane's flight path after it lands?

Yes. On FlightRadar24 and FlightAware, search for the flight number and date. Both sites keep historical data for past flights, so you can see the route the plane took, how long it was in the air, and any delays it experienced. This information is usually available for several months or longer.

Why does a plane sometimes show up in the wrong location on the map?

The tracking sites update every few seconds, but there can be a delay of up to 30 seconds between when a plane's position is broadcast and when it appears on your screen. If you're watching closely, you might see the plane jump forward as the next update arrives. This is normal and not a sign of a problem.

Can I see a plane's tail number before I search for it?

If you know the airline and flight number, you can search for the flight on FlightRadar24 or FlightAware, and the sidebar will show the aircraft's tail number. If you only know the airline and departure time, search by route and find the flight in the list, then click it to see the tail number.

Do I need to create an account to track a flight?

No. Both FlightRadar24 and FlightAware allow you to search and view flight information without logging in. Creating an account is optional and only needed if you want to save favorite flights or access premium features.

What's the difference between FlightRadar24 and FlightAware?

Both show the same real-time flight data and work equally well for finding a plane's location. FlightRadar24 has a cleaner map interface, while FlightAware provides more detailed historical information and airline-specific data like gate changes. Try both and use whichever you prefer.