FlightAware
Flight tracking with the operational detail attached: delays, diversions, taxi times and the filed route rather than a tidy curve.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
FlightAware sits in Flight & Ship Tracking under Wander, filed as a minute.
- Give it one round. There is nothing to finish and nothing lost by leaving.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something useful and brainy.
About this category: Aircraft, cargo ships, trains and satellites moving live on a map. Startling the first time you realise how much is in the air at once.
Good for
- A one-round break between tasks
- Getting something practical done
- Giving your brain a workout
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
FlightAware: quick answers
Is FlightAware free?
Yes. FlightAware is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use FlightAware?
No. You can use FlightAware without signing up for anything.
Does FlightAware work on a phone?
Yes. FlightAware works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is FlightAware safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does FlightAware take?
We file it as "A minute": One quick round, then you can leave.
More in Flight & Ship Tracking
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- 10 min
- Sound on
Live positions of the world's merchant fleet, container ships down to tugs, most vessels with photographs taken by shore spotters.
Every train on the Tokyo rail network moving in real time across a 3D map, with the aircraft landing at Haneda thrown in.
- <1 min
- Desktop
Same mood: useful
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Books you a silent video call with a stranger who also needs to work, which turns out to be startlingly effective.
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