Especially during a hectic travel, it is better to stay on top of things like delays, last-minute gate changes, and emergency announcements. Rather than being taken aback by the unexpected delays or alerts, moving swiftly with every change is the way to go. It saves you from annoying hassles and ensures that you don’t miss your flight. And that’s what makes these 10 best flight tracking apps for iPhone and Android useful. So, if you are planning to set out for a much-awaited vacation with your loved ones or willing to get the hassles out of the way from your frequent traveling, get one of these top-flight trackers to keep the guessing at bay.
Flight tracking apps have gotten smarter. They keep you fully informed with the real-time status and timely alerts for delays and warnings. Moreover, they also show the weather forecast for your destination so that you won’t get caught off guard by the bad weather.
- Flightradar24
- FlightAware
- FlightStats
- Plane Finder
- Flighty
- ADSB Flight Tracker
- Planes Live
- App in the Air
- The Flight Tracker
- Live Flight Status
1. Flightradar24
Claiming to be the world’s number one flight tracker in more than 130 countries, Flightradar24 has got all sorts of features you could ask from an ideal app. The flight tracker is fully customizable, allowing you to filter flights by airlines, view current delay stats, get a complete list of all the flights in the air in your area, and even check the weather conditions of your destination.
Install: iOS and Android (free, premium version starts from $1.49/month)
2. FlightAware
FlightAware has been consistently ranked among the best flight tracking apps for Android and iOS. Having explored this app and tried out every goodie that it has to offer, I must say that it deserves a high rating. With FlightAware, you can track the real-time status of your flight thanks to the integrated tracking map.
Install: iOS and Android (free, ad-free version is available for $0.99/month)
3. FlightStats
Putting the entire focus on the ease of use, FlightStats makes flight tracking a seamless experience. The app provides detailed worldwide flight status by flight number, airport, and route. Probably the best part about this app is the neat interface that lets you take a quick look at essential information like departure/arrival times, gates, delays, and even weather. As a result, keeping a tab on flight status always feels hassle-free.
Install: iOS and Android (free)
4. Plane Finder
Have you ever wished to know the name of the airplanes flying over your head? If yes, Plane Finder is the one you should try out. Widely considered as one of the most feature-rich flight tracking app for iPhone and iPad, Plane Finder lets you track airplanes on a worldwide map. Moreover, it also lets you identify planes in the sky using your device’s camera by leveraging augmented reality. Whether you are a frequent traveler, aviation enthusiast, or aviation professional, you would find this feature pretty helpful.
Install: iOS ($29.99)
5. Flighty
Constant flight tracking doesn’t have to be a tedious affair when you have a live flight tracker always ready to keep you updated at just a glance. Yeah, you read that right! Flighty has got an impressive UI that makes you feel wow the moment you put your hands on it. Beyond the smooth and snappier user interface, the app shows real-time flight paths and pilot flight timetable. Furthermore, it also provides access to FAA advisories, delays, weather forecasts, and warnings to ensure you remain fully aware of what needs to be done.
- Real-time flight paths
- Pilot-grade FAA delay alerts
- Email forwarding
- Check-in assistant
Install: iOS (free, $8.99/month for the premium version)
What makes ADSB a little different from other flight tracking apps is the ability to view and track flights in the radar style. The app uses the GPS receiver of your device to offer real-time speed, altitude, and direction of your present movements. Another feature that makes it very helpful for those who wish to remain in the know about every subtle change is the proximity alert that is based on the distance and height away from aircraft.
- Filter plane data
- GPS receiver
- Proximity alert
- 3D View mode
Install: Android (free, $0.99 – $9.99 per item)
Planes Live is a neat flight tracker that means business. Be it keeping a tab on flight status or checking a detailed flight schedule or getting in-depth information on flights, the app has got you fully covered in most aspects. What’s more, you can also use the app to find out whether information for a specific location to help you get prepared in advance.
Key features:
Install: iOS (free, $4.99/week)
Frankly speaking, ” App in the Air” is more than just a simple flight tracker. Well, you can use this handy app to not only keep a tab on flight status but also get recommendations about flights that can play a key role in helping you save more. If you find the personalized recommendations in line with your preference, you can book your flight right away. Plus, it also makes it more convenient for you to decide which hotels can be suitable for you depending on your budget or the comfort you like to have at your disposal.
You can connect your email to App in the Air to import information related to your flights and hotels. Besides, it also lets you sync your travel plan through Tripit. Though the flight tracker is available for free, you will need to upgrade to the premium version ($29.99/year) to unlock features like real-time flight status and automated check-in.
Install: iOS (free, $29.99/year)
While “The Flight Tracker” may not be the most feature-rich flight tracking app but it has checked off almost all the boxes to be your reliable asset. Depending on your goal, you can customize the app to let you keep a track of any flight along with detailed departure and arrival information. Features like the timely gate and terminal updates, the ability to add notes and share flight info make it a useful asset.
Notably, The Flight Tracker also lets you check local weather at your destination so that you can plan in advance to prevent bad weather from destroying your memorable trip. It automatically synchronizes with your TripIt account and personal calendar to help you remain in sync with your planning. On top of all, The Flight Tracker also lets you read some interesting aircraft facts that could liven up your passion for aviation.
Install: iOS and Android (free, $1.99/month )
For keeping a track of flights with timely updates, you can bank on “Live Flight Status” to live up to the task. The app features a clean interface and lets you search for your flight in easy steps. For instance, you can simply enter your flight number, select the date of departure/arrival date, and then search for your flight using the massive database that covers more than 92% of the world’s flights.
Live Flight Status displays detailed arrival and departure information such as delays, baggage reclaim details, gate, and terminal numbers, and more. Additionally, the app also shows the field flight plan as well as estimated and actual runway departure/arrival times. Notably, you don’t have to spend any bucks to use this flight tracker. Overall, Live Flight Status deserves to be rated as one of the best free flight tracking apps for iPhone and iPad.
Install: iOS (free)