You can also track a flight via the airline's app by navigating to the Flight Status tool (you can also find this on an airline website). Though each airline has its own tracking features, they typically show the departure and arrival times, gate information, altitude, and map of where the plane is located.

In 2026, the most accurate way to trace a flight in real-time is through dedicated tracking platforms like FlightAware, Flightradar24, or FlightView. These services use ADS-B transponder data to show the aircraft's exact position on a map, its current altitude, ground speed, and estimated arrival time. You can search by flight number (e.g., DL123) or by route (e.g., LAX to JFK). Most major airlines also have integrated "Flight Status" trackers on their mobile apps which provide specific details about gate changes and baggage carousel numbers. For a quick check, you can simply type the airline and flight number into a Google Search bar to get a snippet of its current status. If you are tracking a flight for a pickup, look for the "In Air" status versus "Scheduled," as the former indicates the plane has actually taken off and is providing live telemetry data to the tracking network.