Flight tracking: Best apps for Android. Airplane flights in real time - a unique service

FlightRadar | History and description

In 2007, the Swedish company Travel Network developed a system for tracking aircraft in the air in real time Flightradar24. The radar operates 24 hours a day. The data received by the system is displayed on a map and allows you to see aircraft online all over the world - a map of aircraft flights.

When you select an aircraft on the map, the system displays a list of its data, including:

  • type of aircraft and its photograph,
  • tail number and airline affiliation,
  • place of departure and landing,
  • altitude and speed at the moment,
  • geographical position in degrees,
  • distance traveled from the departure airport and other data.

The system also supports aircraft search by flight number.

The database is updated every few seconds, and the positions of all aircraft on the map are updated. The collected data is stored in the system’s memory for 28 days, allowing you to track not only current flights, but also those that have already completed. This Flytradar24 has become very popular in our time. People use it for certain tasks - to track a flight, or they are simply interested in watching planes online on the radar.

How Flytradar works

Almost all aircraft last generations use a method of receiving flight information from an aircraft using an ADS-B transponder. This allows you to track the movement of cargo and passenger aircraft in different parts globe. However, the system does not track aircraft that are not equipped with this transmitter.

Currently, no more than 60% of aircraft in the world (less than 30% in the USA, but more than 70% in Europe) are equipped with this device, but their number is constantly increasing.

What is the coverage area of ​​the Fly Radar system?
Aircraft Map - The Flytradar system uses more than 500 transceiver stations that communicate with the ADS-B transponder. They collect information from all aircraft in the air equipped with ADS-B transponders and transmit it to the system's central server, which, after processing the data, displays the position of these aircraft on a map in real time.

Of course, aircraft without ADS-B transponders, or those outside the coverage area of ​​the station network, are not displayed on the service map. More than 90% of Europe is covered by a network of stations, and coverage is also present in the Northern and South America, Australia, Japan and some other regions of the Earth.

Displayed aircraft types on Flyradar
All aircraft types displayed by the system (having an ADS-B transponder) are listed below:

  • All Airbus (Airbus A300 – A380)
  • BAe ATP
  • BAe Avro RJ70-85-100
  • The most popular modifications of Boeings (Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787)
  • Newest Embraer E190
  • Fokker 70 – 100
  • Gulfstream V, Gulfstream G500/550
  • McDonnell Douglas MD10–MD11
  • Sukhoi SuperJet 100
  • The latest models Ilov and Tu (IL-96 and Tu-204)

Aircraft types not displayed on Flightradar24 (not having an ADS-B sensor)

  • An-225 "Mriya"
  • ATR-42 – 72
  • Boeing 707, 717, 727, 737-200, 747-100, 747-200, 747SP
  • CASA all models
  • Bombardier all models
  • Dornier 328
  • Embraer legacy models
  • Jetstream 32
  • Fokker 50
  • McDonnell Douglas DC-9, MD-8x, MD-9x
  • Saab 340 – 2000
  • Airplanes of Presidents (“Air Force One”)
  • Outdated aircraft models
  • The vast majority of military aircraft of all countries

There are also a huge number of exceptions. Some aircraft from various companies or popular private Cessna aircraft are visible on Flyradar, while some Boeing and Airbus aircraft that are not equipped with ADS-B transmitters are not visible on the service's map. The online aircraft map is one of the most interesting inventions that is being improved every day - stay tuned for changes.

We have all repeatedly waited for the arrival of a plane carrying our family, friends or colleagues. Anyone who has lived through such anticipation is familiar with the feeling of anxiety: “when will the plane land.”

The airspace of the globe is replete with flights from all over the world. How can one find the movement of the desired aircraft in such a flow? Mobile applications Airplane tracking allows you to obtain information about the desired flight. Top 5 iOS Apps:

Airplanes “Live”

The advantage of this application is:

  • works in real time;
  • constantly updated information about flights from airports around the world;
  • automatic time transfer to different time zones;
  • weather forecasts;
  • aircraft technical characteristics;
  • search for an aircraft by filters: flight altitude, speed, region.

“App in the Air”

An application that allows you not only to track your flight, but also to track 4 stages of the flight:

  • Registration;
  • Landing;
  • Takeoff;
  • Landing.

With “App in the Air” you can get useful information regarding the airport, about flight delays.

The app contains some hints and tips:

  • Which part of the airport has the best Wi-Fi access points;
  • Where is the best cafe at the airport?

But to get additional features, you need to subscribe to it and purchase it. The purchase is usually built into the application itself.

App in the Air runs on Apple Watch, iPad and iPhone.

"Flight Tracker"

An application for those who do not want to deal with flight advertising. The data obtained using the program is constantly updated, and in real time. Connecting the program with Triplt (travel organizer) accounts allows, in a specific situation, the application to automatically display information about:

  • flight delay;
  • ticket price;
  • changing gate and terminal times;

The program is compatible with iPad and iPhone, synchronization is carried out via iCloud. With "Flight Tracker" you can save and share the necessary information via social media and emails.

Flight Stats"

Provides information in real time. Useful for those who travel with modest finances.

To obtain flight information, you need information about the flight route, its number and the name of the airport. Availability of Apple Watch - ability to quickly view necessary information. The advantage is that flight information is displayed on a map that also shows city names, flight path and radar data. Another advantage is that if you have the Today Widget, you can view flight information without opening the application itself. But advertising that constantly appears on the display can spoil the display.

If you fly regularly, you simply need to know the schedule of your planes so as not to miss your flight. For this purpose, there are a number of convenient aircraft tracking applications that will provide you with an invaluable service. So which ones are the best?

FlightBoard

FlightBoard was designed to match the design of the beautiful information board located at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. And this is the application that should be installed on every traveler's smartphone. FlightBoard displays data that you would receive in any airport terminal. You can view a variety of flights, track departures and arrivals of aircraft, and track other useful information. If you know the flight number or airport code, you can get even more information in no time detailed information about planned flights.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy helps you get information about the 500 largest airports around the world. By entering your credit card and flight details, you can see which services and lounges are available for free or for a one-time fee, and you can filter lounges if you need specific amenities. Of course, like in other applications, you will also be able to track general information about the flights you are interested in.

App in the Air

App in the Air is a great companion for those who wait impatiently, or perhaps dreadfully, at the airport for their flight. The application shows interesting and useful information regarding the airport you are about to arrive at, and gives some tips and tricks. For example, where are the sockets, free wifi, cafes or some specific shops. You can vote for each tip so that in the future it will not be eliminated, but will help other travelers. Once you get to the airport, you can view the status of your flight, maps of most airports, and chat with passengers on your flight who have already cleared the security checkpoint. And the more you travel, the more achievements will appear on your profile. While in the air, you will be able to track the location of your aircraft in real time. However, to get some additional features you will need to make an in-app purchase.

Flightradar24 Pro

Flightradar24 Pro provides the most complete and detailed information about various flights around the world in real time. Just launch the app and you'll see hundreds of planes around the world, including those flying right above you. Click on any of them and you will be shown detailed information about the route, altitude, speed, and exact location of the aircraft.

MiFlight

In order to make good use of your time, you need to know how much you have left. MiFlight uses a huge number of sources that will tell you how long it will take you to get through security checkpoints. This is especially convenient in holidays when airports are crowded. Simply launch MiFlight, select your airport and terminal, and you will immediately receive the information you need. The app currently supports about 50 airports and provides access to their terminal maps. Information about the largest of them is constantly updated within a few hours.

Wide coverage of Flytradar provides the service successful work throughout Europe and the United States of America. The functionality of the tracker was highly appreciated by clients from Ukraine, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, South Africa, and in Asian countries it generally occupies a leading position among similar services.

Flytradar24 covers almost every country in the world, tracking 960 airlines and 32,505 aircraft. The service also provides detailed information on the operation of 8,675 airports located in 190 countries. Flytradar monitors their condition, weather in the region, keeps records of the number of departing and arriving aircraft. Those airports that are under radar control are marked in blue.

The quality of coverage is determined not only by the number of installed ADS-B receivers, but also by technical characteristics and the location of the antennas. One ground station is capable of receiving aircraft signals within a radius of 200 to 400 km.

The visibility of air transport depends not only on the capabilities of the receiving station, but also on other factors, such as the type of aircraft and transponder. Indicators such as flight altitude and terrain are also important - it is obvious that on the plain the equipment will show the best results.

If you fly regularly, you simply need to know the schedule of your planes so as not to miss your flight. For this purpose, there are a number of convenient aircraft tracking applications that will provide you with an invaluable service. So which ones are the best?

FlightBoard

FlightBoard was designed to match the design of the beautiful information board located at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. And this is the application that should be installed on every traveler's smartphone. FlightBoard displays data that you would receive in any airport terminal. You can view a variety of flights, track departures and arrivals of aircraft, and track other useful information. If you know the flight number or airport code, you can get even more detailed information about scheduled flights in the blink of an eye.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy helps you get information about the 500 largest airports around the world. By entering your credit card and flight details, you can see which services and lounges are available for free or for a one-time fee, and you can filter lounges if you need specific amenities. Of course, like other apps, you will also be able to track general information about the flights you are interested in.

App in the Air

App in the Air is a great companion for those who wait impatiently, or perhaps dreadfully, at the airport for their flight. The application shows interesting and useful information regarding the airport you are about to arrive at, and gives some tips and tricks. For example, where are the outlets, free Wi-Fi, cafes or specific stores. You can vote for each tip so that in the future it will not be eliminated, but will help other travelers. Once you get to the airport, you can view the status of your flight, maps of most airports, and chat with passengers on your flight who have already cleared the security checkpoint. And the more you travel, the more achievements will appear on your profile. While in the air, you will be able to track the location of your aircraft in real time. However, to get some additional features you will need to make an in-app purchase.

Flightradar24 Pro

Flightradar24 Pro provides the most complete and detailed information about various flights around the world in real time. Just launch the app and you'll see hundreds of planes around the world, including those flying right above you. Click on any of them and you will be shown detailed information about the route, altitude, speed, and exact location of the aircraft.

MiFlight

In order to make good use of your time, you need to know how much you have left. MiFlight uses a huge number of sources that will tell you how long it will take you to get through security checkpoints. This is especially convenient during the holidays when airports are crowded. Simply launch MiFlight, select your airport and terminal, and you will immediately receive the information you need. The app currently supports about 50 airports and provides access to their terminal maps. Information about the largest of them is constantly updated within a few hours.

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