Frequently Asked Questions
Is FlyRadar free?
Yes — completely. No account, no subscription, no app to install. The site is supported by non-intrusive advertising, which is what keeps it free.
How current is the data?
Aircraft positions typically appear on the map within a few seconds of being broadcast by the aircraft. The delay is slightly longer for computed (MLAT) positions and aggregated feeds.
Why did an aircraft disappear from the map?
Almost always a coverage issue, not an incident. Aircraft vanish when they fly out of receiver range (over oceans, remote areas, or very low altitude behind terrain), or when an MLAT-tracked aircraft drops below the 4 receivers needed to compute its position. It usually reappears when it re-enters coverage.
Why can't I find a specific flight?
Common reasons: the aircraft hasn't departed yet, it's out of coverage, it's blocking its data (some operators and most military/government aircraft do), or it's flying with an older transponder in a low-coverage area. Searching by callsign works best for airline flights.
Why do some aircraft show no route?
Routes are reconstructed from schedule and history databases — they're not part of the broadcast itself. Cargo, charter, private and general aviation flights often have no published schedule, so no route can be shown. The aircraft position is still real.
How accurate are the positions?
ADS-B positions come from the aircraft's own GPS — accurate to within meters. MLAT positions are computed from signal timing and are accurate to tens or hundreds of meters, which is why MLAT tracks can look slightly jumpy. See position sources explained.
Why are military aircraft shown sometimes?
Military aircraft aren't required to hide — many fly with transponders on, especially in civilian airspace. FlyRadar displays what public feeds provide, including military-flagged traffic where available. Aircraft that block their data simply don't appear.
What are the gliders over Europe?
Those are FLARM-equipped sailplanes and towplanes from the Open Glider Network — a separate community tracking system for unpowered aircraft. Read more in position sources.
Where does the data come from?
Public community feeds (adsb.fi, adsb.lol, the Open Glider Network), open AIS vessel networks, and the Blitzortung lightning network. FlyRadar merges and deduplicates them onto one map.
Why does the map look different without the backend?
If the live data server is unreachable, FlyRadar falls back to direct community feeds — aircraft still track, but features like airport boards, search and server-side weather grids are reduced.
Can I use FlyRadar on mobile?
Yes — it's a web app that runs in any modern browser, phones included. Install it to your home screen for an app-like experience.