Flighty or Airline Apps: Which is better?

Flighty or Airline Apps: Which is better?

What does Flighty do better than airline apps?

Flighty is built by serious travelers for serious travelers. We are aviation nerds that were frustrated by the lack of information and transparency when flying — especially from airlines and their apps. So, Flighty was built to give travelers the fastest flight alerts, like delays, cancelations, and connections, all with unmatched accuracy and speed (often hours before your airline tells you).


Airlines aren’t in a rush to tell you what’s wrong. If a flight is delayed or canceled, they have to manage crew logistics, reroute aircraft, rebook travelers — and most importantly, keep things calm at the gate. That’s why delays often go unannounced until the last minute. Even if they wanted to move faster, most airline apps simply aren’t built for it. Their tech is designed around ticket sales, upgrades, and loyalty — not real-time alerts.


In short:

  • Flighty is the all-in-one flight tracker that gives you flight alerts in real-time.

  • Airline apps are mostly for ticket sales, upgrades, and boarding passes.

What does Flighty do that airline apps don't?

A lot. Beyond delay alerts, Flighty gives you the world’s fastest push notifications, live inbound plane tracking, real-time airport disruptions, alternate flights, connection assistance, and much more, like:

  • Flighty Friends to share and track flights with family and friends.

  • Flighty Passport to track your lifetime history of flights across all airlines, including your total flights, miles, and even hours delayed.

  • Delay Predictions so you always know first and can beat the line to rebook.


It’s the only app trusted by frequent flyers, pilots, and cabin crew alike — because it delivers what airlines won’t.

Do I still need my airline's app?

Many Flighty users tell us they only use their airline app for the boarding pass. Airlines restrict access to boarding passes for security reasons, so most third-party apps can't store them. So while you’ll probably want to keep the airline app on hand to board your flight, for everything else? Flighty is built it to be the best travel companion when you fly.

Beautifully designed and powerful to use, Flighty is a first-class flight tracker for those on the move. The app offers detailed flight maps, live tracking, and delay forecasting — but the real magic is the perfectly timed notifications that keep you up to date and stress-free.

Beautifully designed and powerful to use, Flighty is a first-class flight tracker for those on the move. The app offers detailed flight maps, live tracking, and delay forecasting — but the real magic is the perfectly timed notifications that keep you up to date and stress-free.

Features

Flighty

Airline Apps

Real-time flight tracking

Real-time flight tracking

Auto inbound plane tracking

Auto inbound plane tracking

Delay predictions

Delay predictions

FAA mandated delays

FAA mandated delays

Real flight plan

Real flight plan

Ground radar

Ground radar

Weather radar

Weather radar

Taxi times

Few

Taxi times

Few

Aircraft age

Aircraft age

Timezone change info

Timezone change info

Connection assistant

One

Connection assistant

One

Flight history and stats

Flight history and stats

Add any airline flight in advance

Add any airline flight in advance

Offline mode

Alerts & Notifications

Flight alerts

Flight alerts

Real-time delays

Real-time delays

FAA ground stops

FAA ground stops

1-hour until arrival

1-hour until arrival

Tail number change

Tail number change

Airport-wide delays

Airport-wide delays

Late inbound plane

Late inbound plane

Social

Live sharing

Live sharing

Follow friend's flights

Follow friend's flights

Social sharing features

Social sharing features

Automations

Confirmation Code Import

Confirmation Code Import

2-way calendar sync

2-way calendar sync

TripIt integration

TripIt integration

Integrations

Widgets

Few

Widgets

Few

Apple Watch

Few

Apple Watch

Few

iPad

Few

iPad

Few

Android

Android

UA

Plans

Free plan available

Free plan available

No credit card free trial

No credit card free trial

Privacy-focused

Privacy-focused

From first-time flyers to million-milers, people love Flighty.

From first-time flyers to million-milers, people love Flighty.

David Pogue

@Pogue

Ever since FlightTrack Pro died, I've searched for the ultimate flight-tracking app. Now I've found it: @Flighty. Beautiful, clear, useful info (even tracks the INBOUND plane for your flight). Often tells me about delays before the airline does!

Joel

Jan 31, 2023

Saved the day!

To: Flighty Crew

Two weeks ago, I had a one-day business trip planned—JFK to Buffalo for a quick meeting. At 7:30 am, Flighty alerted me to a delay two legs before my flight. JetBlue hadn’t posted anything, but I could see a delay was coming. I quickly booked a Delta flight out of LGA, arranged for my associates to meet me there, and made it to my meeting on time. If not for Flighty’s early alert, I’d have missed it. Thanks for a great experience!

Joel

Best Flight Tracking App

Date

Bdawgno1

I have used a lot of other flight tracking apps. Flighty takes all of them combined and make them look amateurish. Been using the app for several years. Yearly fee is less than a dinner out. And so worth paying!! It has saved me on both domestic and international flights - updates faster than airport boards on status. I know exactly where my arrival plane is and can judge how fast I need to in line to board my flight. Simply the best!!!!

Great travel app!

Sep 7, 2024

by BigPlayaz

If you fly at all, Flighty is amazing. It really does get updates on delays faster than what you'll get from the airlines. The app itself is so clearly built with care, attention to detail, and skill. All the extra info on your flight and your all time passport are great as well.

Brian Kelly

8h

The Best By Far

Mar 17, 2022

@LPAppsSuck

The best flight tracking app I have ever experienced in 15 years and 650k miles of business travel. Extremely stable, very pretty, and easy to use. Best of all, the app is super fast with gate changes and delay notifications. Flighty alerts me before the gate agents even know of a change. I love it so much that I've paid for my team to get subscriptions.

Parker Ortolani

@ParkerOrtolani

@Flighty is one of the most well thought out and well executed apps I've ever seen.

Favorite app on my phone

Aug 20, 2024

a.czarnik

It's like the old Apple motto: It just works. It does exactly what it needs to, nothing more, and it does it all flawlessly. It's genuinely my favorite app on my phone. Literal perfection. No notes. Now, if only every other app on my phone worked as well as Flighty.

Paul Robichaux

@paulrobichaux

@Flighty just saved Christmas! My son's flight home tomorrow afternoon was cancelled and the "bong bong bong" alerted me before @Delta or @Triplt did. I immediately got on the phone with Delta, got them rebooked. And all is now well. Thanks, Flighty team.

Charlie

Aug 2, 2022

How do you do it?

To: Flighty Crew

Last month, traveling from PHL to SFO, I got a Flighty alert about a 1-hour delay while standing by the crew at the gate. I asked the captain, who laughed and said I was wrong, suggesting I just listen to the P.A. 5 minutes later, he got a call—reassigned to another flight last minute. We were left without a pilot, and the flight was delayed an hour. The captain apologized as he left. Quite funny how it all unfolded. Information rules!

Charlie

Essential Travel App

Jan 4, 2023

Doc Ricardo

I’m a 2+ million mile flyer, and this app is essential for navigating the complexities of travel. Airport monitors are slow to update, but Flighty keeps you ahead. Forewarned is forearmed—this app equips you with the info you need to handle inevitable travel issues. Absolutely worth the annual fee.

Hendrik Haandrikman

@HHaandr

Signed up for @Flighty in an ongoing effort to get them on @RevenueCat, and the very first flight I used it for was cancelled. They let me know 30m (!) before the airline did, which meant that I hadn't left home yet. I'd have been on a train and would've wasted hours 🤯

Saved me HOURS of time! 6 Stars!

21 Sep, 2021

S0uthpaw96

This app is one of the best on the App Store and worth every penny. The user interface is fast, and their notifications beat every airline. Yesterday, I had a 2+ hour layover in ATL on my way to MCI. There was an earlier flight, but Delta wouldn’t let me book it due to a tight connection time. I used Flighty to monitor it anyway. Mid-flight, at 30,000 ft., Flighty notified me the earlier flight was delayed by 15 minutes, while my flight was landing 5 minutes early. I had a chance! I rushed off, snagged a standby seat, and made it just in time. Got to see my family earlier because of this app. Thanks, Flighty devs!

+3 million users enjoy Flighty

View more

David Pogue

@Pogue

Ever since FlightTrack Pro died, I've searched for the ultimate flight-tracking app. Now I've found it: @Flighty. Beautiful, clear, useful info (even tracks the INBOUND plane for your flight). Often tells me about delays before the airline does!

Joel

Jan 31, 2023

Saved the day!

To: Flighty Crew

Two weeks ago, I had a one-day business trip planned—JFK to Buffalo for a quick meeting. At 7:30 am, Flighty alerted me to a delay two legs before my flight. JetBlue hadn’t posted anything, but I could see a delay was coming. I quickly booked a Delta flight out of LGA, arranged for my associates to meet me there, and made it to my meeting on time. If not for Flighty’s early alert, I’d have missed it. Thanks for a great experience!

Joel

Best Flight Tracking App

Date

Bdawgno1

I have used a lot of other flight tracking apps. Flighty takes all of them combined and make them look amateurish. Been using the app for several years. Yearly fee is less than a dinner out. And so worth paying!! It has saved me on both domestic and international flights - updates faster than airport boards on status. I know exactly where my arrival plane is and can judge how fast I need to in line to board my flight. Simply the best!!!!

Great travel app!

Sep 7, 2024

by BigPlayaz

If you fly at all, Flighty is amazing. It really does get updates on delays faster than what you'll get from the airlines. The app itself is so clearly built with care, attention to detail, and skill. All the extra info on your flight and your all time passport are great as well.

Brian Kelly

8h

The Best By Far

Mar 17, 2022

@LPAppsSuck

The best flight tracking app I have ever experienced in 15 years and 650k miles of business travel. Extremely stable, very pretty, and easy to use. Best of all, the app is super fast with gate changes and delay notifications. Flighty alerts me before the gate agents even know of a change. I love it so much that I've paid for my team to get subscriptions.

Parker Ortolani

@ParkerOrtolani

@Flighty is one of the most well thought out and well executed apps I've ever seen.

Favorite app on my phone

Aug 20, 2024

a.czarnik

It's like the old Apple motto: It just works. It does exactly what it needs to, nothing more, and it does it all flawlessly. It's genuinely my favorite app on my phone. Literal perfection. No notes. Now, if only every other app on my phone worked as well as Flighty.

Paul Robichaux

@paulrobichaux

@Flighty just saved Christmas! My son's flight home tomorrow afternoon was cancelled and the "bong bong bong" alerted me before @Delta or @Triplt did. I immediately got on the phone with Delta, got them rebooked. And all is now well. Thanks, Flighty team.

Charlie

Aug 2, 2022

How do you do it?

To: Flighty Crew

Last month, traveling from PHL to SFO, I got a Flighty alert about a 1-hour delay while standing by the crew at the gate. I asked the captain, who laughed and said I was wrong, suggesting I just listen to the P.A. 5 minutes later, he got a call—reassigned to another flight last minute. We were left without a pilot, and the flight was delayed an hour. The captain apologized as he left. Quite funny how it all unfolded. Information rules!

Charlie

+3 million users enjoy Flighty

View more

David Pogue

@Pogue

Ever since FlightTrack Pro died, I've searched for the ultimate flight-tracking app. Now I've found it: @Flighty. Beautiful, clear, useful info (even tracks the INBOUND plane for your flight). Often tells me about delays before the airline does!

Great travel app!

Sep 7, 2024

by BigPlayaz

If you fly at all, Flighty is amazing. It really does get updates on delays faster than what you'll get from the airlines. The app itself is so clearly built with care, attention to detail, and skill. All the extra info on your flight and your all time passport are great as well.

Brian Kelly

8h

The Best By Far

Mar 17, 2022

@LPAppsSuck

The best flight tracking app I have ever experienced in 15 years and 650k miles of business travel. Extremely stable, very pretty, and easy to use. Best of all, the app is super fast with gate changes and delay notifications. Flighty alerts me before the gate agents even know of a change. I love it so much that I've paid for my team to get subscriptions.

Parker Ortolani

@ParkerOrtolani

@Flighty is one of the most well thought out and well executed apps I've ever seen.

Favorite app on my phone

Aug 20, 2024

a.czarnik

It's like the old Apple motto: It just works. It does exactly what it needs to, nothing more, and it does it all flawlessly. It's genuinely my favorite app on my phone. Literal perfection. No notes. Now, if only every other app on my phone worked as well as Flighty.

Paul Robichaux

@paulrobichaux

@Flighty just saved Christmas! My son's flight home tomorrow afternoon was cancelled and the "bong bong bong" alerted me before @Delta or @Triplt did. I immediately got on the phone with Delta, got them rebooked. And all is now well. Thanks, Flighty team.

Charlie

Aug 2, 2022

How do you do it?

To: Flighty Crew

Last month, traveling from PHL to SFO, I got a Flighty alert about a 1-hour delay while standing by the crew at the gate. I asked the captain, who laughed and said I was wrong, suggesting I just listen to the P.A. 5 minutes later, he got a call—reassigned to another flight last minute. We were left without a pilot, and the flight was delayed an hour. The captain apologized as he left. Quite funny how it all unfolded. Information rules!

Charlie

Essential Travel App

Jan 4, 2023

Doc Ricardo

I’m a 2+ million mile flyer, and this app is essential for navigating the complexities of travel. Airport monitors are slow to update, but Flighty keeps you ahead. Forewarned is forearmed—this app equips you with the info you need to handle inevitable travel issues. Absolutely worth the annual fee.

Hendrik Haandrikman

@HHaandr

Signed up for @Flighty in an ongoing effort to get them on @RevenueCat, and the very first flight I used it for was cancelled. They let me know 30m (!) before the airline did, which meant that I hadn't left home yet. I'd have been on a train and would've wasted hours 🤯

Saved me HOURS of time! 6 Stars!

21 Sep, 2021

S0uthpaw96

This app is one of the best on the App Store and worth every penny. The user interface is fast, and their notifications beat every airline. Yesterday, I had a 2+ hour layover in ATL on my way to MCI. There was an earlier flight, but Delta wouldn’t let me book it due to a tight connection time. I used Flighty to monitor it anyway. Mid-flight, at 30,000 ft., Flighty notified me the earlier flight was delayed by 15 minutes, while my flight was landing 5 minutes early. I had a chance! I rushed off, snagged a standby seat, and made it just in time. Got to see my family earlier because of this app. Thanks, Flighty devs!

+4 million

View more

Switch to a better way to fly

Switch to a better way to fly

Download Flighty for free on the App Store and switch to a better way to fly.

Download Flighty for free on the App Store and switch to a better way to fly.

Date

Fri, 10 Aug

Gate

C2

Flight

FLI101

Seat

1A

Departure

Airline Apps

Arrival

Flighty

AIR

FLY

Date

Fri, 10 Aug

Gate

C2

Flight

FLI101

Seat

1A

Departure

Airline Apps

Arrival

Flighty

AIR

FLY