Skip to Content

First Look: FlightTrack real-time flight tracker

Have you ever had one of those "damn, I wish I had waited a couple of weeks" moments? They usually happen when you buy an iPhone app you're not really thrilled about, but it's the only one of its type. About two weeks later, you're slapping your forehead when the app you really wanted ships.

It happened to me this month. When I travel, I like to make sure my flights are on time, so I like to use FlightView's Flight Tracker. About two weeks ago I purchased another flight status app, and I've been underwhelmed with it ever since.

Now Mac and iPhone Developer Ben Kazez has created FlightTrack, a real-time flight tracker for iPhone and iPod touch. The US$4.99 FlightTrack app (click opens iTunes) uses the same great FlightView data and maps, so it looks and works a lot like the online tracker.

Not only do you get the cool real-time location of each flight, but weather is overlaid on the maps (see screenshot at right). You can track multiple flights, look at details, and search by a number of criteria.

Thanks, Ben. Now I have to spend another $4.99 to replace that other app I'm using....

Have you ever had one of those "damn, I wish I had waited a couple of weeks" moments? They usually happen when you buy an iPhone app you're...
 

Add a Comment

*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

9 Comments

Filter by:
Amanda

Aloysius - FlightView actually just optimized their free flight tracking site for iPhone users - check it out: http://flightview.com/corporate/news/20081217-fv_mobile_iphone.aspx

December 30 2008 at 2:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Amanda

Aloysius - FlightView actually just optimized their free flight tracking site for iPhone users - check it out: http://flightview.com/corporate/news/20081217-fv_mobile_iphone.aspx

December 30 2008 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
freddie

Good question about Asian airlines. I'm flying to Thailand in December, so I'll check out this app for my trip.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredfreddieblicher


November 21 2008 at 1:01 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Aloysius Snuffleupagus

Are there any online flight trackers that have an iPhone-friendly interface? I'm all for throwing down money unnecessarily, but it seems that the free solution would be just as good if it exits.

November 20 2008 at 1:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jash Sayani

Is this app for US Airlines only....? Or does it also work for Asian airlines...

November 20 2008 at 12:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Jash Sayani's comment
Steven Sande

Jash -

Although the FlightView website shows just about every airline worldwide, I believe they only provide flight data for those flights that originate or land in the USA. If you know of a particular flight number for a flight on an Asian airline, you might want to go to the FlightView website at http://www.flightview.com/TravelTools/ and see if it works when you enter that flight number into the tracker.

TUAWSteve

November 20 2008 at 1:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
alex

The number of downed flights suddenly increases as we all pull out our iPhones to watch... The flight we're on

November 20 2008 at 12:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
moo

I'm seriously hoping Virgin America has WiFi set up by mid January, at least on my plane. How cool would it be to fly across the country, and even if theres no flight map in front of you (though i THINK Virgin America has it, maybe not), just pull out your iPhone and open this app.

November 20 2008 at 11:52 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to moo's comment
Bryan Veloso

Just to clarify, they do have an implementation of Google Maps on RED (their little Linux in-seat OS). The refresh rate's a little slow, and having opening it usually lags the whole thing, but it definitely works. I'm sure with WiFi, this would be a much cooler option. :)

November 20 2008 at 1:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Buy an ad here

Hot Apps on TUAW

Tweets

© 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.