How to find your flight right now
The fastest way to find your flight is to go directly to your airline's website or app and enter your confirmation number and last name. Most airlines show you the gate, current location, and expected arrival time within seconds. If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak or Expedia, go to the airline's own site instead — those booking sites often lag behind by several minutes.
If you don't have your confirmation number, you can search by flight number and date. The flight number appears on your ticket and usually starts with two letters (your airline's code) followed by numbers. You'll find it in your email confirmation or in your airline's app under "My Trips" or "Manage Booking".
For real-time tracking without logging in, use FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or your airline's public flight tracker. These show you the aircraft's actual position on a map, its altitude, and how fast it's moving. They update every few seconds and work even if the airline's own site is slow.
Key Takeaways
- Your airline's website or app is the official source for gate numbers, delays, and cancellations — check there first before calling.
- FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show you where the plane actually is on a map and update in real time, which helps you understand why a flight is delayed.
- If your flight is delayed more than a few hours, contact your airline directly through the app, website, or phone to ask about rebooking or compensation.
- The airline must tell you the reason for a delay of more than 30 minutes — if they won't, ask a gate agent or call customer service.
What the status codes mean
On Time means the flight is expected to depart and arrive at the scheduled times. Delayed means the departure or arrival time has moved later, but the flight is still going. Cancelled means the flight will not operate at all that day. Diverted means the plane is landing at a different airport than planned, usually because of weather or a mechanical issue.
Boarding means passengers are walking onto the plane. Departed means the plane has left the gate and is taxiing or in the air. In Flight means the plane is airborne. Landed means the plane has touched down but may still be taxiing to the gate.
Some airlines also show Gate Change or Gate Assigned — this means the departure gate has moved, so check the app again before heading to the airport. Equipment Change means the airline is using a different aircraft, which sometimes causes a delay.
Why your flight might not show up in the system yet
If you search for your flight and nothing appears, the most common reason is that you're searching too early. Most airlines don't load flight information into their tracking system until 24 hours before departure. If your flight is tomorrow or later, try again the next morning.
The second reason is a typo in the flight number or date. Double-check your confirmation email — the flight number is usually in all caps and straightforward to miss if you're reading quickly. The date should match the local time zone of your departure city, not your home time zone.
If the flight still doesn't appear and it's within 24 hours of departure, call your airline's customer service line. It's possible the flight was cancelled and you weren't notified, or there's an error in the booking system.
How to track a plane in the air
Once your plane has departed, FlightAware and FlightRadar24 show you exactly where it is. You'll see the aircraft's call sign (the radio identifier, different from the flight number), its altitude in feet, its ground speed, and how much longer until it lands. Both sites update every 5 to 10 seconds.
FlightAware also shows you the route the plane is taking, any weather it's flying around, and historical data about how often this flight is delayed. FlightRadar24 lets you see all the planes in the sky at once, which is useful if you're curious about air traffic but less useful for tracking one specific flight.
These trackers work because commercial aircraft broadcast their location constantly via a system called ADS-B. This data is public and available to anyone — the airline doesn't control it. So if your airline's app says "In Flight" but won't tell you where the plane is, FlightAware will.
What to do if your flight is delayed more than a few hours
Contact your airline through the app, website, or phone as soon as you see a delay of more than two hours. Ask whether they can rebook you on an earlier flight to the same destination, or on a different airline if they have a partnership. Some airlines will do this automatically; others only if you ask.
If the delay is the airline's fault (mechanical issue, crew problem, scheduling error), you may be may have access to to compensation under U.S. Department of Transportation rules. The amount depends on how late you arrive and how long the flight is, but it ranges from $250 to $750. The airline is not required to tell you about this — you have to ask or file a claim later.
If the delay is caused by weather, air traffic control, or a security issue, the airline is not required to compensate you, but they must still rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost. Ask them to put this in writing.
When to call the airline instead of checking online
Call your airline if your flight is cancelled, if a delay is more than three hours, if you need to change your booking, or if you have a tight connection and want to know whether the airline will hold a connecting flight. The phone line is also the right place if you need to request a refund, ask about compensation, or discuss special accommodations like wheelchair information or unaccompanied minors.
Most airlines have a customer service number on your confirmation email and on their website. During busy travel periods, hold times can be 30 minutes or longer. The app or website chat feature is often faster if your question is straightforward, like "Can you rebook me on the next flight?"
If you're at the airport, go to the airline's ticket counter or gate agent instead of calling. They can see your booking in real time and make changes when ready.
How to prepare for a delay before you leave home
Check your flight status on your airline's app the night before you travel and again two hours before you're scheduled to leave. This gives you time to adjust your plans if there's already a delay or cancellation. Set a reminder on your phone so you don't forget.
Save your airline's customer service number in your phone before you travel. If you're in an airport with poor Wi-Fi, you may not be able to load the website, but you can always call. Most airlines also have a text message alert system — you can opt in through the app or website to receive updates about delays, gate changes, and cancellations.
If you have a connection, check whether your connecting flight is also delayed. If your first flight is late and your connection is on time, ask the gate agent or call the airline before you land to see if they'll hold the connection or rebook you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a refund if my flight is delayed?
No, not automatically. U.S. law does not require airlines to refund you for delays — only to rebook you on the next available flight. You can request a refund if the airline cancels the flight or if you choose not to take a rebooking, but you cannot demand a refund straightforward because the flight is late.
What if the airline's website says my flight is on time but I heard it's delayed?
The airline's website updates when the airline officially announces a delay, which sometimes takes 30 minutes or longer after the decision is made. FlightAware and FlightRadar24 often show delays sooner because they track the actual aircraft. If you see a delay on those sites but not on the airline's site, the delay is real — the airline just hasn't announced it yet.
How do I know if my flight was cancelled without checking online?
The airline will send you an email or text message to the address and phone number on your booking. Check your spam folder if you don't see it. You can also call the airline's customer service line, or go to the airport and ask at the ticket counter.
Can I change my flight if it's delayed?
Yes. If your flight is delayed, you can ask the airline to rebook you on an earlier flight to the same destination, or on a later flight if you prefer. Some airlines charge a change fee; others waive it during delays. Ask before you agree to the rebooking.
What should I do if I miss my connection because my first flight was delayed?
Tell the gate agent or flight attendant on your first flight that you have a tight connection. They can contact the connecting airline and ask them to hold the flight. If you miss the connection anyway, the airline must rebook you on the next available flight at no extra cost, even if it's the next day.