In recent years, flight-tracking apps have become important for people who travel. These apps help you keep an eye on your flight as it happens, showing you where your plane is on a map and giving you updates about any delays or cancellations.
There are lots of fantastic flight tracker apps out there, which can make it hard to choose the right one. In this article, we’ll check out some of the top-rated flight tracker apps available today. We’ll look at things like how accurate they are, the cool features they offer, and how easy they are to use.
Top 10 Flight Tracker Apps
1. Flightradar24
Flightradar24 uses a more precise method called ADS-B data to track flights. It’s better than the traditional radar data because it comes directly from the planes, so it’s faster and more accurate. Flightradar24 provides real-time maps of flights worldwide. You can see where a flight is, how high it’s flying, how fast it’s going, and in which direction.
Moreover, Flightradar24 can give you updates about flight delays, cancellations, and any other changes. This helps you stay informed about your travel plans. Also, you can access historical flight data that goes back many years. This can be handy for following a flight’s past routes or for research purposes.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Real-time flight tracking worldwide | Some advanced features require a subscription |
| Live flight maps | Tracking multiple flights simultaneously can be challenging |
| Alerts for delays and cancellations | Intrusive ads |
| Precise ADS-B data | |
| Wide range of aircraft to track | |
| Free to use |
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
2. FlightAware
FlightAware provides detailed information about millions of aircraft. This includes details like the type of aircraft, its registration number, and how old it is. FlightAware combines this information with weather data from sources like NOAA to give you real-time weather updates for flights. You can use this info to see how the weather might affect a flight’s path or to plan for potential delays.
Additionally, FlightAware lets you set up customized flight alerts. You can get notifications about specific flights or events, like being informed when your flight gets delayed or canceled.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Detailed aircraft information | ✗ Some advanced features require a subscription |
| ✓ Real-time weather updates | ✗ Tracking multiple flights can be challenging |
| ✓ Customized flight alerts | ✗ Intrusive ads |
| ✓ Offers historical flight data | |
| ✓ Free for basic features |
3. TripIt
TripIt simplifies your travel planning by automatically gathering your trip details from your email, like flight confirmations, hotel reservations, and car rentals. This means you don’t have to waste time inputting all that information yourself. It neatly arranges your travel plans into one itinerary that includes flight specifics, hotel info, and other important stuff. This keeps you organized and ensures you don’t miss any important details about your air travel.
You can also easily share your travel plans with your family, friends, or colleagues using TripIt. It’s a great way to keep everyone informed and on the same page about your travel arrangements.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Automatically imports travel plans from email | ✗ Some advanced features require a subscription |
| ✓ Organizes travel plans into a single itinerary | ✗ May not be as user-friendly for experienced travelers |
| ✓ Enables easy sharing of travel plans | |
| ✓ Provides real-time flight updates | |
| ✓ Offers various helpful trip planning features | |
| ✓ Free for basic features |
4. GateGuru
GateGuru provides detailed airport maps for over 900 airports worldwide. These maps help you find your way around, showing you where gates, restaurants, shops, and other facilities are located. They even have terminal guides for many airports, sharing info about the layout, amenities, and services available.
GateGuru goes a step further by suggesting restaurants and stores in airports based on your preferences. If you’re looking for a specific place, you can search by name. Plus, GateGuru keeps you informed with notifications in case your flight’s gate changes, saving you from the last-minute dash.
Get it on:
- Android
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Airport maps and terminal guides | ✗ Less accurate flight tracking |
| ✓ Restaurant and store recommendations | ✗ Some features require a subscription |
| ✓ Gate change notifications | |
| ✓ Additional traveler information | |
| ✓ Free to use |
5. Amadeus Flight Tracker
The app gives you a live map that shows real-time info for flights operated by airlines on the Amadeus platform. You can check exactly where your flight is on a map, see how high it’s flying, its speed, and the direction it’s heading. Plus, it offers detailed data about commercial flights, like the aircraft type, gate number, where to pick up your baggage, and when the flight is expected to arrive and depart. This is handy for trip planning and making sure you’re at the airport on time.
You can also connect this app with other Amadeus apps, like Amadeus Passenger Experience (PAX) and Amadeus Airport IT Solutions (ATIS), to have all your flight tracking data in one place.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Real-time flight tracking for Amadeus airlines | Limited to Amadeus platform flights |
| Detailed flight information | Less accurate than Flightradar24 or FlightAware |
| Free to use |
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
6. KAYAK
KAYAK makes travel planning easier. You can set price alerts for flights, hotels, and car rentals nearby, so you’ll know when prices change. It’s helpful if you’re looking to travel to multiple places on one trip.
KAYAK also lets you split your flight into different tickets, which can save you money, especially when using different airlines or making connections. On their website and app, you’ll find travel guides for destinations worldwide, full of tips on things to do, places to eat, and where to stay.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Price alerts | ✗ Less accurate flight tracking |
| ✓ Multiple destination search | ✗ Some features require a subscription |
| ✓ Split-flight tickets | |
| ✓ Travel guides | |
| ✓ Free basic features |
7. Skyscanner Flight Tracker
Skyscanner Flight Tracker gives you detailed flight info like aircraft type, gate number, and baggage claim location. It helps with trip planning and staying on schedule, and it’s free to use, so no subscription fees.
You can also set up flight alerts to stay informed about status changes, especially if there’s a delay or cancellation. Plus, you can check out historical flight data for up to 30 days, which is handy for airline performance tracking and future trip planning.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Real-time flight info | Limited to Skyscanner platform |
| Detailed flight details | Less accurate than Flightradar24 or FlightAware |
| Free to use |
8. TUIfly Flight Tracker
This app is made specifically for TUIfly Airlines. It lets you keep an eye on your flight in real-time and gives you all the info you need, like the type of aircraft, gate number, and where to pick up your baggage. The app’s available in multiple languages, so it’s good to go wherever you are in the world.
You can also check out the TUIfly Arrival Boards, which display real-time info for all TUIfly flights, including the flight number, arrival time, and gate number. Plus, there’s the TUIfly Baggage Claim feature that shows you where to collect your baggage at your arrival airport.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Real-time flight tracking | ✗ Limited to TUIfly platform flights |
| ✓ Detailed flight information | ✗ Less accurate than Flightradar24 or FlightAware |
| ✓ Available in multiple languages | |
| ✓ Free to use |
9. Google Flights
Google Flights has a handy tool called Price Insights, which shows you how flight prices have changed over time. It helps you figure out the best time to book. You can also set up Price Drop Alerts to get notifications when the flight you’re interested in becomes cheaper, giving you a shot at a great deal.
What’s cool is that you can not only track flights on Google Flights but also book them directly through the app. This one-stop feature is great for travelers. Plus, you can sync Google Flights with Google Maps to see your flight’s location on a map, making it easy to track your flight’s progress and plan your arrival at the airport.
Get it on:
- Android
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Price Insights for booking | Limited to Google platform flights |
| Price Drop Alerts | Less accurate flight tracking |
| Flight tracking and booking | |
| Integration with Google Maps | |
| Free to use |
10. Momondo Flight Tracker
Momondo Flight Tracker is a helpful tool that gives you travel tips, like the best times to fly, when to book your flights and popular routes. It also lets you set price alerts, so you’ll know if your chosen flight’s price changes. You can find detailed flight updates like the current location, estimated arrival time, and departure gate.
The app can track multi-leg flights, so you can monitor all your flights in one spot. Plus, you can mark flights as favorites for easy tracking.
Get it on:
- Android
- iOS
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✓ Travel insights | ✗ Limited to Momondo platform flights |
| ✓ Price alerts | ✗ Less accurate flight tracking |
| ✓ Detailed flight information | |
| ✓ Multi-leg flight tracking | |
| ✓ Free to use |
When selecting a flight tracker app, consider these factors:
- Accuracy: Ensure the app provides precise, real-time data from multiple sources, especially for important flights.
- Features: Think about the features that matter to you, like tracking multiple flights, live maps, and alerts for delays or cancellations.
- Price: Flight tracker apps vary in cost. Find one that fits your budget and offers the features you need.
- User-Friendly Interface: Opt for an app with an easy-to-navigate interface, making it simple to use.
- Reputation: Check user reviews to gauge an app’s reputation and reliability before making your choice.
Is it possible to track flights in real-time?
Yes, you can live-track flights. Many flight-tracking apps and websites provide up-to-the-minute data on aircraft worldwide. They usually rely on ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data, a satellite-based system that allows planes to share their location and information in real-time.
How can I track a flight in real time?
You can track flights in real time using various flight-tracking apps designed for both iOS and Android devices. These apps commonly utilize ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) data, which is a satellite-based system enabling airplanes to share their real-time location and details.
Conclusion
When picking a flight tracker app, consider your preferences. Do you want real-time flight tracking, live flight maps, or delay alerts? Identify your needs to choose the right app.
- For real-time data, maps, and alerts, try Flightradar24 or FlightAware.
- For more than just flight tracking, go for GateGuru or TripIt.
- If you want an all-in-one travel app with flight tracking, consider KAYAK.
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