3 Easy Ways to Know Your Flight Status

Checking the status of your flight before you head to the airport is essential. You certainly wouldn’t want to be caught off guard by changes such as delays, rescheduling, or cancellations.

Similarly, if you're picking someone up from the airport, being aware of their flight's status lets you plan your arrival time accurately, allowing you to choose when to head to the airport or when to wait at the terminal exit.

In this article, I will share several ways to check the status of a flight. These strategies are useful both before departing for the airport and upon arrival there.

1. Through the Airline Website and App

One of the most effective ways to check your flight status is through the airline's official app or website. For instance, you can find information about Singapore Airlines flights on their dedicated page.

On the app or website, simply look for the flight tracking feature and enter either the flight number or the route you need. Sometimes, you might also need to input the flight's departure date.

Each airline provides different details on the flight status page, but generally, you can expect the following key information:

• Flight Number

The flight number is a unique identifier composed of letters and numbers, such as GA123 for Garuda Indonesia flights.

• Departure and Arrival Schedule

This section includes the scheduled departure and arrival times, usually displayed in the local time zone of the respective airports.

• Flight Route

Here, you’ll find details about the flight route, including the origin and destination, and any potential transit stops.

• Departure Gate

Information about the departure gate at the origin airport, which helps passengers know where to wait and board their flight.

• Terminal

Details about the terminals at both the departure and arrival airports, particularly useful for large airports with multiple terminals.

• Baggage Information

Some airlines provide details on where to claim baggage, including the belt number where passengers can collect their luggage after landing.

• Estimated Time of Arrival

This indicates the expected actual arrival time, which is especially useful if the flight is delayed.

• Weather Information

Certain airline websites might also offer weather updates for the destination airport to help passengers prepare accordingly.

• Real-time Updates

This section provides live updates on the flight’s status, including any changes to the estimated arrival time.

• Flight Status

This crucial part displays the latest information about the flight, such as:

1. On Time: The flight is scheduled to depart or arrive on time.
2. Delayed: The flight has been delayed.
3. Cancelled: The flight has been canceled.
4. Departed: The aircraft has left the departure airport.
5. In Air: The aircraft is currently flying.
6. Landed: The aircraft has landed.
7. Diverted: The flight was rerouted to a different airport.

By utilizing the airline’s website or app, you can stay informed about your flight status and be better prepared for your journey.

2. Through Information Boards at the Airport

If you're already at the airport, one of the easiest ways to check your flight status is by looking at the information boards. These boards are placed in various spots like the check-in area, boarding lounge, and arrival area.

These boards display a range of important details about flight status. Here’s what you can usually find on them:

• Flight number

Each flight is identified by a unique code, such as SQ318 for a Singapore Airlines flight.

• Airline

The name of the airline operating the flight is shown.

• Destination and Origin City

This shows where the flight is coming from and going to, like "Jakarta (CGK) to Singapore (SIN)."

• Departure and Arrival Schedule

The scheduled times for when the flight will leave and arrive.

• Departure Gate

The specific gate where passengers need to go to board the plane.

• Terminal

Information about which terminal the flight will use. This is especially useful at large airports with multiple terminals.

• Flight Status

This is crucial as it tells you the current state of the flight. The statuses you might see include:

1. On Time: The flight is set to depart or arrive as scheduled..
2. Delayed: The flight is running late.
3. Cancelled: The flight has been canceled.
4. Boarding: Passengers are currently boarding the plane.
5. Departed: The plane has left.
6. Landed: The plane has arrived.
7. Final Call: Last call for passengers to board.
8. Gate Closing: The departure gate is about to close

Besides checking these digital boards, you can also go to the airport information counters for flight status updates. These counters are usually near the terminal entrance, making them easy to find.

3. Through Flight Tracker Sites or Apps

Besides the methods mentioned above, you can also use flight tracking websites and apps to get flight status information. Some popular apps include FlightAware, FlightRadar24, and FlightStats.

For instance, if you use the FlightRadar24 app, just open it and enter the flight number (like SQ318) in the search field. Then press "Search" or tap the search icon to find the flight.

Once you locate the flight, tap on it to see all the details. The information usually includes:

• Flight Status: Whether the flight is on time, delayed, departed, landed, etc.
• Scheduled and Actual Times: The planned and real departure and arrival times.
• Flight Route and Map: The flight’s route and a map of its path.
• Aircraft Information: Details about the plane, including its type and the airline.
• Current Flight Data: The plane’s current altitude, speed, and position.

These are three easy ways to check flight status. By using any of these methods, you can quickly find out the status of a flight and plan your trip better.