The Best Apps and Websites to Track Flights

Gone are the days when you had to pick up the phone to call the airline for a flight status update. Today, countless websites and apps provide real-time flight information. Some are focused on tracking flights, while others send push notifications to your smartphone to help you navigate the airport with ease. Many even include fun, unexpected features designed to delight even the least tech-savvy travelers. Here are some of our favorites.

Google and FlightAware: When you need basic tracking details

If you're sitting at your computer and want to periodically check on the flight status of a friend or family member, there are some great options. The simplest: Google. By searching the flight number on Google, you’ll see a progress bar at the top of the search results, displaying the flight's duration and estimated arrival time. 

For more detailed information about a specific flight, use FlightAware or its app. It offers much more than Google, including the aircraft’s type, altitude, speed, and route. FlightAware also provides access to historical data on flights, such as previous delays and cancellations, and lets you set up push notifications. Since much of the information FlightAware provides is used to power Google's search results, you'll see the same basic data—plus much more, such as a map with weather overlays. 

Flightradar24: Geek out with interactive maps and augmented reality

Flightradar24 is a website and app that provides even more detailed information. It offers a highly visual and interactive map with detailed and live view of flights around the world. Choose from various weather forecasts to overlay on the map to see if the flight will cross any storm paths. Discover the plane's registration number, how old the aircraft is, where it has been, and where it's going next. Pan across the world map to discover nearby flights. For airline enthusiasts, Flightradar24 is a hit, as it even includes aeronautical charts and live audio feeds from air traffic control for some regions.

A unique feature of the Flightradar24 app is the augmented reality (AR) view. Just tap "AR" in the top left of the app, and point your phone toward the sky. The app will show the planes behind the clouds and identify their flight number, altitude, speed, and destination.

Airline apps: For brand loyalists on the go

A major reason third-party flight tracking apps became so popular in the first place was that airlines weren’t providing flight information in a user-friendly or efficient way. Thankfully, that’s changing. Many airline apps have recently rolled out updates that offer better flight tracking and alerts, meeting the needs of travelers.

For example, the United Airlines app now sends real-time flight status updates to iPhone users’ lock screens. Plus, developers have gotten creative by using the "Dynamic Island"—the black oval at the top of your phone screen—to provide helpful information, such as your seat assignment and a countdown to when boarding begins.

Flighty: Get personalized flight updates for you and your loved ones

Flighty is useful for travelers on the day of their flight as well as for staying connected to the flights of friends and family. 

When adding friends to your account, their future flights will appear on your phone. You'll get alerts on the day of travel, just as you would for your own flight. If you’d prefer less information, you can opt for more basic notifications, such as a simple “Just Landed” alert. This app also takes advantage of lock screen notifications and the Dynamic Island feature. 

As for your own travel, Flighty keeps a record of all your past trips and creates a world map to track all your flights. The app also compiles interesting statistics, such as your most-flown aircraft type and how many hours you spent in the sky, presenting them in annual passport-style cards that you can save and revisit.

Google Flights: Track flight prices to secure better deals

Bookmark Google Flights if you want to track a flight’s price before your travel day.

Once you've found a flight of interest, go to the final page with the pricing options. You'll see a toggle to activate the “Track Prices” feature just below the price in the upper-right corner. This will sign you up for email alerts whenever the price changes. You can set alerts for one or all available flights on your selected dates.

Even if you’ve already bought your ticket, you can follow these steps. If the price drops, you can visit your airline's website to explore rebooking options.

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No matter your needs—whether you need flight delay updates on your travel day or want to know the perfect time to pick someone up—there’s a flight tracking app or website for you.