The holiday season is just around the corner, and for those planning to travel, staying updated on flight changes is essential. With airports experiencing increased foot traffic and potential disruptions due to ongoing issues like the government shutdown, knowing where your flight stands has never been more important.
Fortunately, monitoring your flight status is easier than ever, especially for iPhone users. Beyond checking your airline’s app or website, your iPhone is equipped with a hidden flight tracker feature that many may overlook. In this article, we’ll unveil how to access this convenient tool and ensure you’re always in the loop about your travel plans.
Track Your Flight Through iMessage
To utilize the built-in flight tracker via iMessage, ensure the following:
- iMessage is enabled (this won’t work with standard SMS/MMS).
- You have the flight number within your text messaging history.
- The format for the flight number must be: [Airline] [Flight number] (e.g., American Airlines 9707).
Open the Messages app on your iPhone and find the conversation containing your flight information. If the flight is accessible via this feature, you’ll spot the flight number underlined, indicating you can tap on it for more information.
If your flight is significantly in the future or has already departed, you might see a message reading “Flight information unavailable.” It’s also worth noting that airlines occasionally recycle flight numbers, which could lead to seeing information for a different flight.
Use Spotlight Search for Quick Access
If pulling flight details from Messages feels cumbersome, you can also access your flight info directly from your iPhone’s home screen. Just swipe down to invoke Spotlight Search and type in your flight number. This feature also works seamlessly on your Mac, making it convenient whether at home or on the go.
Unlocking the Hidden Flight Tracker
While the airline name and flight number is the ideal format to use, several variations can also lead to the flight tracker. If we continue with the example of American Airlines 9707, consider these alternatives:
- AmericanAirlines9707 (no spaces)
- AmericanAirlines 9707 (one space)
- AA9707 (abbreviated, no space)
- AA 9707 (abbreviated with space)
For best results, it’s recommended that you use the full airline name with the appropriate spacing, as some variations may not trigger the flight tracking feature across all airlines.
Real-Time Flight Tracking Experience
Once you’ve tapped on the flight number in your Messages, a quick-action menu will pop up with two options:
- Preview Flight: Check detailed information about your flight.
- Copy Flight Code: Copy the flight code for sharing via text or email.
By selecting Preview Flight, you’ll be greeted with a real-time flight tracker map displaying a line between your departure and destination. A small airplane will visibly track its progress, giving you a live view of where your flight is at that moment.
Below the map, essential flight details will be listed, including:
- Airline name and flight number
- Flight status (on time, delayed, canceled, etc.)
- Arrival and departure terminal and gate numbers
- Scheduled arrival and departure times
- Flight duration
- Baggage claim (carousel number for baggage retrieval)
Swipe left on the bottom section of the flight tracker to toggle between different flights, provided you have a return flight.