Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, iPod touch, First Look
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....
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
moo083 said 11:52AM on 11-20-2008
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.
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Bryan Veloso said 1:45PM on 11-20-2008
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. :)
alex said 12:19PM on 11-20-2008
The number of downed flights suddenly increases as we all pull out our iPhones to watch... The flight we're on
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Jash Sayani said 12:35PM on 11-20-2008
Is this app for US Airlines only....? Or does it also work for Asian airlines...
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Steven Sande said 1:03PM on 11-20-2008
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
Aloysius Snuffleupagus said 1:40PM on 11-20-2008
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.
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Freddie Blicher said 1:40AM on 11-21-2008
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
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Amanda said 2:57PM on 12-30-2008
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
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Amanda said 2:58PM on 12-30-2008
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
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