Keeping an eye on a loved one's flight can help you feel more at ease and stay informed about their trip. Using a flight tracking app is the ideal solution, as it provides real-time details about the flight's status, delays, gate changes, and arrival time. This way, you'll have all the necessary information right at your fingertips.
Now, the question is: which is the best flight tracking app? Continue reading to explore the top options that combine advanced technology and easy-to-use design to keep you updated. Let's dive in!
So which app takes you from takeoff to touchdown smoothly?
1. FlightAware – Flight Tracker
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Source: Google Search
This flight tracking application allows you to check the status of any aircraft by its registration, route, airline, flight number, or airport code. The app uses advanced weather radar technology to enhance its flight tracking map and sends push notifications to keep you informed.
The application provides real-time information on estimated departure and arrival times, schedule changes, delays, cancellations, and gate or terminal updates. This feature is particularly helpful for those picking you up from the airport, as it creates flight alerts to keep them updated on your location. The app offers global coverage, making it suitable for both domestic and international travel.
Price: The app is free, with optional in-app purchases starting from $0.99 per month.
Availability:
- Android: 3.5 stars (based on 44.2K reviews)
- iOS: 4.8 stars (based on 288.3K reviews)
2. FLIGHTVIEW FLIGHT TRACKER
Real-time flight status updates have never been easier. The FLIGHTVIEW FLIGHT TRACKER app sends you push notifications whenever your flight's status changes. This app provides weather details for both the departure and arrival airports. It also shows information about your aircraft's previous routes, going back up to 2 days, to give you insight into its on-time performance.
You can forward your travel itinerary confirmation emails to the app, and FLIGHTVIEW will add that information to your app. You can also include other travel details, such as car rental and hotel reservation numbers, within the app.
Price: The app is free to download, with optional in-app purchases starting at $2.99 per month for an ad-free experience.
Availability:
- Android: 3.9 stars (based on 11.3K reviews)
- iOS: 4.2 stars (based on 4.6K reviews)
3. FlightStats
FlightStats has a very professional and polished look, enabling users to check the status of their flights, view timelines, and track flight paths on an integrated map. The app also provides details on delays for both departure and arrival times, gate information, and weather forecasts, including a 7-day outlook.
Price: The app is free to download, with optional premium features available starting at $2.99 per month.
Availability:
- Android: 3.1 stars (based on 25.8K reviews)
- iOS: 4.8 stars (based on 69.4K reviews)
4. ADS-B Exchange
The ADS-B Exchange is an excellent free application designed for aviation enthusiasts who want to track and view aircraft flying locally and globally. The app utilizes Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) receiver technology, which allows it to pick up signals from aircraft broadcasting their positions. The app presents the data in a radar-style display similar to those used by air traffic controllers at major airports like Heathrow Airport (LHR).
One of the notable features of this app is its ability to display unfiltered flight data, making it a unique tool for tracking a wide range of aircraft, including military and private jets, which are often not visible on other flight tracking platforms.
Price: The app is free to download.
Availability:
- Android: 3.8 stars (based on 2.32K reviews)
- iOS: instead of a standalone app, you can bookmark the globe.ADSBexchange.com site in your browser and add it to your home screen. This will behave like a mini-app.
5. Plane Finder – Flight Tracker
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Source: Google Search
This easy-to-use app lets you search for flights and airplanes using multiple markers. It shows airline logos next to the planes for easy identification. You can tap on a plane to see detailed flight information, including photos. You can also add bookmarks and filters for future use. The app uses ADS-B signals to provide accurate flight information and includes augmented reality to help you identify planes overhead with your phone's camera.
Recent updates have improved the flight playback interface, added new aircraft markers, and enhanced the augmented reality features for better accuracy and faster load times. The app also has a new "MyFlights" feature that tracks the flights you care about, from takeoff to landing, and provides live updates on delays, gate information, and other important details.
Price: The app is free to download, with optional in-app purchases. Premium subscriptions cost $3.99 per month or $19.99 per year and include features like 3D mode and additional data fields.
Availability:
- Android: 3.6 stars (based on 10.3K reviews)
- iOS: 4.7 stars (based on 45.5K reviews)
6. Flightradar24
This flight tracking app is highly praised for its real-time tracking capabilities and easy-to-use interface. It has a clean design and tracks not only planes but also helicopters. Users can check flight status, view aircraft details, and see pictures of the flight path and schedule. The app allows users to apply filters to track specific airplane models and companies across most of the world.
The app provides coverage for almost all transmitter-equipped airplanes, with data updated within 5 minutes.
Price: The app is free to download, with additional features available through subscription plans:
- Silver Plan: $2.99 per month or $12.99 per year
- Gold Plan: $3.99 per month or $34.99 per year
Availability:
- Android: 4.6 stars (based on 567K reviews)
- iOS: 4.8 stars (based on 450.3K reviews)
7. App in the Air
App in the Air is marketed as a personal flying assistant that goes beyond typical flight tracking. It offers airport tips, maps, and the ability to track your loyalty programs and frequent flier miles. One of the best things about this app is that it can work offline, providing gate changes and flight status updates via SMS, without needing data roaming. Users can also check-in automatically for over 1,000 airlines at major airports in the United States. The app also includes advice from other travelers to keep you well-informed.
In addition, the app allows you to track your flight statistics, earn badges for travel milestones, and receive real-time alerts for flight updates.
Price: The app is free, with optional premium subscriptions starting at $4.99 per month or $30 per year, which provide additional features like real-time flight updates and automatic check-in.
Availability:
- Android: 4.3 stars (based on 10.4K reviews)
- iOS: 4.6 stars (based on 10.5K reviews)
8. Planes Live – Flight Tracker
Planes Live – Flight Tracker is a straightforward yet powerful flight tracking application that allows you to monitor planes in real-time across the globe and instantly access up-to-date flight information. The app offers real-time updates on flight status, terminal and gate details, and weather forecasts for destination airports. You can personalize the app to your liking, such as selecting preferred units of measurement and map types. The app also includes intelligent filters to track specific aircraft models or airline companies and provides notifications about flight schedule changes, cancellations, and delays.
Price: The app is free to download, with optional in-app purchases starting at $1.99 per month.
Availability:
- Android: 4.2 stars (based on 67.7K reviews)
- iOS: 4.6 stars (based on 92.8K reviews)
9. The Flight Tracker
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Source: Google Search
The Flight Tracker app is designed to be user-friendly and keep you up-to-date with real-time flight information. It has 5 main sections: the Map, Search, My Flights, Airports, and Airlines, which make it easy to navigate and track your flights. Users can save their tracked flights in the My Flights section and add travel documents and notes for quick reference. The app provides basic flight details like arrival and departure times, as well as information about the aircraft type.
Price: The app is free, with a Pro version starting at $1.99.
Availability:
- Android: 4.1 stars (based on 33K reviews)
- iOS: 4.7 stars (based on 250.7K reviews)
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