App Alerts You to Flight Delays Before the Airport Does

Getting into the airport can be a stressful experience. You position yourself near the big, intimidating flight boards, hoping for some updates. But nothing happens. No gate information, no boarding calls. Is your flight delayed? Does it even exist?

For those who have experienced this anxiety, there is now an app that can help. Flighty is a tool available as both an app and a website that promises to inform passengers about flight delays before the airline does. It has gained popularity, with the company claiming that on any given day, two out of three US flights have a Flighty user on board.

Recently, Flighty released an update called Airport Intelligence, which allows users to know why their flight is delayed in the first place. This feature is especially useful for travelers who want more detailed information about their journey.

Features of Flighty

Flighty uses machine learning (a type of AI) to predict delays caused by late-arriving aircraft, up to six hours before the airline even announces the delay. The technology also takes into account information from air traffic control, including details on ground stops, weather, or airport issues.

The app provides travelers with extra details on gate information, departure times, baggage belts, and booking codes. It’s like having a mini version of the big flight board in your pocket. Users can navigate to a specific airport on the website’s map (there are over 14,000 listed) and find their flight from there.

At the time of writing, the situation at London Heathrow was relatively good, with 75% of departures on time, 23% delayed, and 2% cancelled.

Additional Features

There is also a breakdown of takeoff delays, allowing users to estimate how long they might be waiting on the plane. The Flighty Friends setting lets users share their flight status with friends, so if someone is picking them up, they’ll know exactly what the situation is.

For aviation enthusiasts, the app also allows tracking of the most-flown aircraft. It gives users information on how many times they’ve flown on a particular plane model and for how many hours.

Why Are Flight Tracking Apps Popular?

While flight tracking used to be the domain of aviation enthusiasts, these apps are now widely used by everyone. According to Anton Radchenko, an expert from AirAdvisor, travelers are increasingly using these apps for real-time visibility during disruptions.

He explains that passengers want to understand how delays are evolving in real time. This visibility gives them a greater sense of control in what is otherwise a very opaque system.

However, no amount of tracking can move you onto an earlier flight or encourage airlines to make quicker decisions. What passengers gain is earlier awareness, not greater control.

Rising Airfares and Traveler Tips

With summer plans involving flights, travelers may soon face higher costs. Airfares are climbing due to factors such as the US-Israeli war on Iran and the resulting violence in the Middle East. Jet fuel prices have surged 58.4% this month, reaching their highest level in four years.

Scandinavia’s largest airline recently became the first major European carrier to cancel flights due to rising fuel costs. From a passenger perspective, the best approach is to make informed decisions when booking flights.

Marina Efthymiou, a Professor of Aviation Management at Dublin City University, says that increased fuel costs will be passed on to passengers. However, the extent of this depends on the market and how much airlines have hedged against fuel price increases.

Conclusion

Flighty offers a valuable tool for travelers seeking real-time updates on their flights. While it cannot change the outcome of delays, it provides early awareness and a sense of control. As airfares continue to rise, making informed choices when booking flights becomes even more important.