How to check real-time Flight Status with ExpertFlyer

Overview

ExpertFlyer Flight Status gives you real-time visibility into any flight's operational status: scheduled and actual departure and arrival times, specific delay reasons, terminal and gate assignments. When something goes wrong with your flight, this is the fastest way to understand what happened and plan your next move.

How to search Flight Status

Opening Flight Status

1. Click Flight Status in the left navigation menu.
2. Select the departure date.
3. Enter the airline.
4. Enter the flight number.
5. Click Search Flight Status.

Results appear immediately and reflect the most current published operational data for that flight.

• Tip: Always check Flight Status immediately after a change on your flight. Flight Status covers up to one week of past flights and three days of upcoming departures.

Reading the results

The Flight Status results page shows both current operational data and historical reliability for the flight.

Understanding delay reasons

When an airline publishes a delay code, ExpertFlyer's Explain feature converts it into a clear, plain-language summary of what caused the disruption. Tap or click Explain next to any delay status and ExpertFlyer translates the raw operational code so you immediately understand what happened — and what it means for your plans — without having to decode airline shorthand yourself.

What to do when your flight is delayed or canceled

The moment you see a delay or cancellation in Flight Status, speed matters. Other passengers are getting in line and calling the airline at the same time.

If your flight is delayed:

1. Note the specific delay reason and current estimated departure time from Flight Status.
2. Assess whether the delay affects any connections.
3. If it does, open Flight Availability to check alternate routing options from your connecting city to your destination.
4. Call the airline or approach the gate agent with the delay data and your preferred alternative in hand.

If your flight is canceled:

1. Confirm the cancellation reason in Flight Status. This matters for compensation claims.
2. Open Flight Timetables to see all flights still operating between your origin and destination that day.
3. Open Flight Availability to check which of those alternatives still have open inventory in your fare class.
4. Contact the airline with the cancellation on record and a specific rebooking request ready.

Using Flight Status alongside other ExpertFlyer tools

Flight Status is most powerful when used together with the rest of ExpertFlyer during a disruption.

FAQ