Airline Flight Tracking Real Time

Real time airline flight tracking is made possible by Internet-based, software applications that are used to track airline flights in real time. Flight tracking software literally traces a plane's actual flight track through the sky, right from its departure to its arrival. Every change in this information is automatically updated.

Airline flight tracking's real time results are especially useful for frequent flyers, their friends and family. Right from a flight's departure until its arrival, this tracking software provides up-to-the minute details on the plane's precise location, speed, altitude, distance from the airport, and time of arrival. This real time information saves a whole lot of time, money and inconvenience.

Most flight-tracking applications do more than just track flights; they also provide an overall view of an airport's recent, scheduled and en route flight activity. Weather, airport delays and on-time flight performance are other important details available.

How it Works

Every commercial airplane has a transponder connected to an on-board computer. This electronic device continually transmits coded radio signals that contain flight information such as altitude, airspeed, heading, and latitude and longitude position. It also transmits identifying information such as the airline and flight number, along with the plane's identification letters.

Flight tracker software works by picking up this radar-based information, and combining it with airline schedule and operational data to provide real time information. Users can then graphically view the results throughout the course of the flight.

Airline Flight Tracking - Real Time Tracking Services

Until recently, real time airline tracking was the safeguard of commercial airlines, air traffic controllers, travel companies and businesses with company jets. Today, a number of flight tracking services are available to the public. While some are computer-based, the most popular ones are web-based applications. Here are four of them:

FboWeb

This website provides a 3D airline flight tracker for all US flights. It is offered absolutely free of charge when used in conjunction with Google Earth. With FboWeb, you can track single or multiple flights within a specified radius. Each plane is identified with its flight number, and a solid line is used to display its fight path.

The website's quick-track feature is a fast, easy way to select and track a flight's real time location, estimated time of arrival and other flight information. You can even receive flight alerts via cell phone, palm pilot or email.

FlightStats

You can use the FlightStats flight tracker to track US and Canadian commercial flights on a Google Map. It offers coverage of the entire North American airspace, as well as flights in Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa.

FlightStats uses an intuitive display to present up-to-the minute flight data on a plane's precise geographical position, its distance from the airport and estimated arrival time. It also provides information on weather, airport delays and on-time arrival performance. Registered users can schedule email and mobile phone alerts.

FlightAware

Flightaware, one of the Internet's most popular flight tracking services, boasts more than two million users a month. This free flight tracker enables you to view and track both private and commercial flights in the North American airspace.

You can select a plane to track using its identifier, tail number or airline name and number. All the data provide is linked to pages that provide additional information. Registered members can track multiple flights and airports at a glance, and receive flight status alerts via email. Aside from real time flight data, it also offers weather maps, airport information and even aviation news.

Conclusion

Flight tracking software makes it possible to track the real time status of any flight flying the US or Canadian air space. The next time you or a loved one take a flight, keep in mind that you can keep tabs with just a few clicks of the mouse.