Blue: Aircraft displayed as blue icons are currently being tracked via satellite. Satellites are collecting the ADS-B signals from aircraft and transmitting them to the Flightradar24 network.
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From 3 March 2020, ADS-B data collected by satellite was made available to all users. Aircraft located using satellite data are coloured blue on the map, and yellow if located by terrestrial receivers.
Flightradar24 is the first flight tracking service which offers space-based ADS-B-tracking. The blue planes on the map are tracked from a satellite and the yellow ones are tracked from the regular earth-based radar stations.
The position is calculated based on many different parameters and in most cases it's quite accurate, but for long flights the position can in worst cases be up to about 100 km (55 miles) off. In settings there is an option to set for how long time you want to see estimated aircraft on map.
Scrolling down this menu also reveals the aircraft type, registration, altitude and speed. On the map a coloured line shows the route of the aircraft. Purple colours indicate cruising altitudes. White colours indicate the plane is on the ground.
If a crew resets their transponder to the emergency code of 7700 (squawking 7700), all air traffic control facilities in the area are immediately alerted that the aircraft has an emergency situation.
Does FlightRadar show private planes? Yes, it does, but the data is limited. If an operator doesn't want their personal details published, FlightRadar will block out that information or even omit showing the aircraft directly related to high-profile individuals, like Air Force One.
The most well know of these is the code 7700. This is used to indicate an emergency of any kind. A pilot will enter this when in an emergency situation - either instructed by ATC after declaring an emergency or without communication if there is no time.
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Restricted aircraftOperators of private or sensitive aircraft may request their tracking details be restricted or not displayed. Generally, aircraft requesting that they not be displayed on Flightradar24 are military aircraft. Some military aircraft, such as various transport aircraft, are visible.