Background
FlightAware is a digital aviation company and operates the world's largest flight tracking and data platform. With global connectivity to every segment of aviation, FlightAware provides over 10,000 aircraft operators and service providers as well as over 13,000,000 passengers with global flight tracking solutions, predictive technology, analytics, and decision-making tools.
FlightAware receives data from air traffic control systems in over 45 countries, FlightAware's network of ADS-B ground stations in 195 countries, Aireon global space-based ADS-B, and datalink (satellite/VHF) via every major provider, including ARINC, SITA, Satcom Direct, Garmin, and Honeywell GoDirect.
FlightAware's HyperFeed engine seamlessly fuses thousands of real-time, global data sources with FlightAware’s proprietary AI models and algorithms. Leveraging this data with FlightAware's powerful, intuitive, responsive, and reliable web-based interfaces and APIs yields the world’s most comprehensive, capable, and useful flight tracking and digital aviation data platform.
Founded in 2005, FlightAware was acquired by Collins Aerospace in 2021.
FlightAware Major Events and New Features
2022 | |
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April | Award-Winning Singapore Changi Airport Selects FlightAware Foresight Data |
April | Collins Aerospace and FlightAware Deliver Foresight ETAs to the Cockpit Via Datalink |
January | PiAware 7 ADS-B receiver with WiFi setup via Bluetooth |
2021 | |
November | FlightAware Firehose adds support for a unified data feed of airborne and surface movement flight data |
November | Collins Aerospace advances connected aviation strategy with FlightAware |
October | AeroAPI 4, the most sophisticated aviation data API, launched as FlightAware's easiest to integrate into aviation applications |
October | FlightAware Global Suite for Business Aircraft Adds New Flight Leg Share Option |
August | Collins Aerospace to acquire FlightAware |
July | FlightAware Aviator for General Aviation pilots launched at EAA Airventure 2021 in Oshkosh |
April | FlightAware Expands Presence in Europe and the Middle East |
April | Trials of Firehose flight data feed with real, historical flight data (including predictive and surface) now offered with online sign-up |
April | Super high-resolution zoom levels released on FlightAware.com with terrain, airport surfaces, roads, and more. |
April | SkyAware Anywhere launched for PiAware or FlightFeeder ADS-B Feeders -- feeders can new view all their feeder site maps live via the FlightAware web site |
April | iOS App 5.8.5 released enabling ADS-B Feeders to receive notifications on feeder status via the FlightAware Flight Tracker App |
March | Central to Aviation Conversations: Daniel Baker, FlightAware CEO, and Eammon Brennan, Eurocontrol Director General |
March | Synoptic and FlightAware announce partnership to leverage aircraft Mode S data for imrpoved global weather forecasts |
March | PiAware 5 launched with new mapping and combined 978MHz and 1090MHz maps added to the most popular ADS-B platform |
March | FlightAware awarded a General Services Administration (GSA) contract from the United States Government |
March | Saab's Aerobahn Suite Grows with FlightAware Integration |
January | FlightXML, FlightAware's cutting edge query-based flight tracking API is renamed AeroAPI™ |
2020 | |
December | FlightAware launches From the Flight Deck: The FlightAware Blog |
October | ADS-B Ground Station #30,000 goes live in Kuwait, one of 199 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
October | Live, interactive on-airport surface movement on maps now available to all FlightAware Global customers |
October | FlightAware Global adds lower cost Silver subscription tier for domestic, non-blocked aircraft operators |
September | PiAware 4.0 ADS-B feeder software released including touch screen support and a new customized SkyAware interface |
September | FlightAware Predictive Technology Tools Added to the United Airlines Operational Toolset |
September | FlightAware Foresight machine learning flight time predictions now available in FlightXML flight data API for third party integration |
August | New FlightAware Home Page launched showcasing FlightAware's role as Central to Aviation |
July | Major Business Aviation Stakeholders to Establish "Clean Flying" Coalition |
July | FlightAware launches new flight data-driven homepage with live and historical statistics on the world's airspace and flight activity |
July | Metron Aviation and FlightAware partner to provide enhanced air traffic demand predictions to global Air Navigation Service Providers |
July | Microsoft and FlightAware announce that live FlightAware data will be integrated into the all-new Microsoft Flight Simulator |
July | FlightAware's Firehose flight data API achieves 100.0% service availability for the first half of 2020 |
June | Innov’ATM Adds Predictive Flight Times Using FlightAware Foresight to AirportKeeper, their airport collaborative decision making (A-CDM) tool |
June | iOS Mobile Flight Tracker App v5.7.8 adds additional support for the business aviation industry, including FBO ToolBox and FlightAware Global customers |
June | Business and Commercial licensing options added to FlightXML, FlightAware's query-based flight data API |
May | FlightAware live positional data now visible in ForeFlight Mobile, the leading mobile flight planning app |
May | All FlightAware web-based flight maps now include climb and descent indicators and higher position update rates |
April | FlightAware launches Angle of Attack, a blog by the engineers at FlightAware for sharing learnings and technology with the world |
April | Live flight tracker maps with all traffic (including helicopters, unscheduled flights, flight training, and more) available on home page |
April | Firestarter, an open source docker service and application freely released to help developers implement Firehose, FlightAware's Flight Data Feed |
April | Aireon and FlightAware celebrate the one year anniversary of global space-based ADS-B with hundreds of airlines using this data |
March | Live tracking of position-only (no flight plan) flight enabled on web and mobile for all user accounts, enabling tracking of far more global flights |
February | Version 20.0.0 of Firehose Flight Data Feed released including Ready to Taxi™ and Near-Surface Positions |
January | Privacy ICAO Address (PIA) support added to FlightAware Global for business aviation operator data security |
2019 | |
October | FlightAware Global Now Supports Dynamic Schedule Changes, Taxi and Turn Time Predictions, and more. |
October | FlightAware and FlightBridge Partner to Provide Seamless Flight Tracking |
October | All FlightAware Global subscriptions now includes premium features including Ready to Taxi™ surface movement, FlightAware TV, premium worldwide weather, and more. |
October | ADS-B Ground Station #25,000 goes live in Bosnia, one of 197 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
October | FlightAware Foresight™ announced as cutting edge predictive technology to power the next generation of digital aviation solutions |
July | Embraer Executive Jets Joins FlightAware's Entry into Service Program |
July | Frankfurt Airport begins leveraging FlightAware Predictive Technology for flight arrival time predictions |
June | FlightAware Launches Entry into Service Program, Announces Textron Aviation as First Participant |
June | Ready to Taxi™ now available in FlightAware Global at over 750 FBOs at over 300 airports |
May | Ryanair Surpasses New Safety Standards For Flight Tracking With GlobalBeacon |
April | Aireon space-based ADS-B now available in global production in all FlightAware services including Firehose, GlobalBeacon, and FlightAware Global |
March | Azul becomes 1st in Americas for minute-by-minute aircraft flight tracking by adopting Aireon space-based ADS-B |
January | FlightAware Global customers can now pre-select destination FBOs, announced at NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers by launch partners Signature Flight Support and ARINCDirect |
January | SpaceX launches 75th Iridium NEXT satellite, completing Aireon's constellation of global space-based ADS-B coverage |
2018 | |
November | GlobalBeacon goes live ahead of ICAO flight tracking date for GADSS |
November | ADS-B Ground Station #20,000 goes live in Malawi, one of 189 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
October | Origin/destination weather (including flight conditions and density alittude) and sunrise/sunset available on flight pages for Global customers as part of Cockpit Situational Insights |
October | Altitude and heading pre-select available for FlightAware Global customers as part of Cockpit Situational Insights |
October | Ready to Taxi™ now available in FlightAware Global at over 300 FBOs at over 150 airports |
October | ARINCDirect becomes first FlightAware partner to offer Aireon space-based ADS-B from FlightAware |
September | Altitude of aircraft positions upgraded from 100-foot increments to 1-foot or 25-foot increments for increased accuracy |
July | Extended Mode S data (e.g., true airspeed, wind, pressure, autopilot settings) now available in SkyAware and Firehose ADS-B data feeds |
July | FlightAware Member #10,000,000 registers |
April | ADS-B Ground Station #15,000 goes live in Kazakhstan, one of 182 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
April | FlightAware Photos passes 1,000,000 photos of over 170,000 aircraft |
March | Airline Operational Testing of Space-Based ADS-B Begins after Successful Fifth SpaceX Launch of Iridium NEXT |
March | One week of Aireon space-based ADS-B data from the first 32 satellites added to ADS-B coverage map |
February | FlightAware releases animation of Singapore 479, one of the first flights tracked from takeoff to landing with space-based ADS-B |
2017 | |
September | Animated replay of flight tracking maps now available on flight tracking page maps |
September | ADS-B Ground Station #12,500 goes live in Malta, one of 165 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
September | Aireon space-based ADS-B data from 20 satellites now available in FlightAware products and services in beta |
August | The Weather Company, an IBM Business, to Integrate Global Flight Tracking Data from FlightAware in WSI Fusion |
August | FlightAware Announces Plans for New Headquarters to Accommodate Growth |
August | Firehose (streaming ADS-B and flight data feed) now supports rate-limited settings, allowing customers to reduce feed rate |
April | Free Global Weather Now Available on FlightAware Flight Tracking Maps |
April | Malaysia Airlines Taps Aireon, FlightAware and SITAONAIR to Provide Space-Based ADS-B Real-Time Aircraft Tracking |
February | AirportAware® Firehose API released. |
February | Multilateration (MLAT) in FlightAware Firehose, a live position data feed, adds support for Mode C flight tracking |
February | New mobile web interface on FlightAware.com leverages fully responsive web site for consistent experience across devices |
February | Aireon announces first space-based ADS-B receivers operational and tracking flights from space |
February | Interactive AirportAware® surface movement coverage map released showing coverage at over 200 airports |
February | ADS-B Ground Station #10,000 goes live in Malta, one of 155 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
January | FlightAware launches AirportAware® for tracking aircraft on the ground at airports and FBOs. |
January | FlightAware Member #8,000,000 registers |
January | SpaceX launches the first 10 Iridium NEXT satellites, the first of 66 satellites that will provide global space-based ADS-B coverage to FlightAware and Aireon customers by 2018 |
2016 | |
December | FlightAware releases all-new design for flight tracking page, available on web and mobile |
December | Flight tracking maps now feature animated weather radar and can display AIRMETs/SIGMETs |
November | Aireon and FlightAware Announce New Partnership with SITAONAIR to Provide Space-Based ADS-B Flight Tracking to Airlines |
October | FlightAware Pro Stick Plus released, a high-performance USB ADS-B/MLAT receiver available for sale for only $20.95 |
October | Flight tracking maps now feature animated weather radar |
October | Business aircraft can now subscribe to receive Aireon satellite-based ADS-B in FlightAware Global |
October | MLAT flight tracking data now available in United States for all non-ADS-B aircraft |
September | Qatar Airways becomes world's first airline to use space-based ADS-B flight tracking in partnership with FlightAware and Aireon |
September | GlobalBeacon launched, a joint product of FlightAware and Aireon for global flight tracking and Global Aviation Distress and Safety System (GADSS) compliance |
September | Aireon and FlightAware announce global satellite-based ADS-B flight tracking constellation |
September | FlightAware opens Singapore office for Asia Pacific sales, support, partnerships, and API development/integration |
September | Airport surface movement data feed now available for over 100 airports worldwide |
August | ADS-B Ground Station #7,500 goes live in Sri Lanka, one of 132 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
August | PiAware 3 launched with new maps, integrated WiFi support, and more. |
May | FlightAware Member #7,000,000 registers |
April | Improved map imagery release with updated worldwide data, enhanced details |
April | ADS-B feeder statistics now include ranking totals and per-country rankings |
April | United States FAA radar, departure, and arrival data is now real-time, removing five minute delay |
March | FlightFeeder hosts can now request a FlightFeeder, manage their application, and view feeder status using FeederAware |
March | FlightAware Pro Stick released, a high-performance USB ADS-B/MLAT receiver available for sale for only $16.95 |
February | ADS-B coverage added across all of Australia including deserts and outback |
February | Radar coverage added across all of Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica |
February | Tracking pages now support searching by ATC ident (e.g., BAW12G) |
February | Maps now show sunlit earth, visualizing day/night around the world |
January | ADS-B Ground Station #5,000 goes live in Tajikistan, one of 123 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
January | New mapping framework deployed on FlightAware.com for faster, more reliable, more accurate maps |
January | New, interactive coverage map released that shows actual data received via radar, ADS-B, MLAT, and transoceanic communication. |
2015 | |
December | HyperFeed, new flight tracking engine, deployed and capable of processing >100M positions/hour |
December | New iOS (iPhone/iPad) FlightAware Flight Tracker released with all-new user interface |
November | MLAT flight tracking positions now available to all FlightAware Global customers (Silver, Gold, Platinum) |
October | FlightAware makes high-performance ADS-B antenna and ADS-B filters available for sale at cost to PiAware users/a> |
September | ADS-B Ground Station #4,000 goes live in Russia, one of 111 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
September | Two factor authentication (via text message) now available to secure user accounts |
August | Real-time Mode S Multilateration (MLAT) positions now available to non-ADS-B aircraft operators when operating throughout Europe |
August | FlightAware Member #6,000,000 registers |
June | PiAware 2.0 released with Mode S Multilateration (MLAT) for tracking of non-ADS-B equipped aircraft around the world |
June | ADS-B Ground Station #3,000 goes live in China, one of 101 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
May | Premium global weather products (including interactive forecast imagery) available for FlightAware Global |
April | Live data for all tail numbers in Europe now available through FlightAware Global>. |
April | FlightAware Firehose, a live position data feed, released to complement FlightXML with real-time radar, ADS-B, and status data. |
March | New web site design released with streamlined interface and larger, more interactive maps |
March | FlightAware celebrates 10 year anniversary |
March | ADS-B Ground Station #2,000 goes live in Bulgaria, one of 85 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
March | FlightFeeder Android released - free, simple ADS-B ground station that runs on an Android phone or tablet |
February | QuickAds now offer targeting on flight pages, flight alerts, and 300x250 ads |
February | Aircraft operator tools released for free importing of call sign and schedule data |
January | FlightAware Member #5,000,000 registers |
January | ADS-B Ground Station #1,500 goes live in Armenia, one of 80 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
2014 | |
November | Recipients of flight alerts now receive airport delay notifications |
October | ADS-B Ground Station #1,000 goes live in Malaysia, one of 71 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
October | Build your own PiAware ADS-B receiver software and instructions released - ADS-B receiver for under $100.00 |
September | Maps now show Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in the United States |
August | PiAware released -- FlightAware ADS-B client for Raspberry Pi and dump1090 |
August | All-new mobile apps released for both iOS Flight Tracker App (iPhone, iPad) and Android Flight Tracker app (phone, tablet) |
August | FlightAware Global users can now optionally track VFR and other flights without flight plans |
August | FlightAware Live released with live, high resolution airspace viewing |
August | Map layers for commercial users (Premium, Global) now include high resolution satellite, terrain, and street map imagery |
July | ADS-B Ground Station #500 goes live in Finland, one of 63 countries with FlightAware ADS-B ground stations |
June | Maps now optionally show nearby airplanes and zoom-based nearby airports around the world |
June | FlightAware Member #4,000,000 registers |
May | Online and automated downloads and subscriptions for many data feeds including airport database, FBO database, fuel prices, and airline and operator database |
May | FlightAware Global users can now pre-upload flight plans for datalink and ADS-B tracking outside flight plan coverage area |
March | FlightAware TV launched. Live maps and flight status for HDTV display |
January | Next generation FBO ToolBox released with new user interface and improved reports with additional data |
January | FlightFeeder - FlightAware ADS-B receivers begin shipping to over a dozen countries |
2013 | |
December | Worldwide delay statistics now published for airline operations; cancellation statistics now include percentages of flight operations. |
November | SITA and FlightAware partner for live flight data in SITA Aircom Server |
October | ForeFlight and FlightAware partner for route amendments, flight tracking and integration of FlightAware Global in ForeFlight Mobile |
October | FlightAware announces worldwide flight tracking for Garmin avionics |
October | New customers of FlightAware Global and Selective Unblocking can now sign up online |
September | Operators of ADS-B receivers can now connect to FlightAware's worldwide ADS-B flight tracking network |
September | FlightAware maps now can display IFR low and high en-route charts in the United States |
September | New photos interface with higher resolution photos, auto-resizing, infinite scrolling, and comments |
September | FlightAware Member #3,000,000 registers |
September | FlightAware MiseryMap® released -- animated view of weather, flight delays, and cancellations across the United States |
July | Worldwide flight tracking integration available for airline operators using ACARS via SITA. Simply contact FlightAware to enable |
June | Subscribers to FlightAware Global and Selective Unblocking can now self-manage users and delegate access |
June | FlightAware New Zealand launched. Free, live, nationwide live flight tracking for private and airline flights across New Zealand |
June | Live UVair contract fuel card prices now displayed on FBO pages for UVair customers (press release) |
May | All aircraft operators that are FlightAware commercial customers can now automatically access and view live European flight data for their aircraft |
May | Sporty's and FlightAware partner to offer printed and framed FlightAware maps showing a year or more of an aircraft's flight history |
April | Comprehensive coverage of flight positions across United Kingdom added for both airline and general aviation flights |
April | FlightAware flight tracking pages now automatically update without a page refresh. |
March | New Enterprise Account available by monthly subscription for professional users |
March | FBO listings now search and display lower prices at nearby airports |
February | Free FBO ToolBox US trials and online sign-up available for United States FBOs and airport businesses |
January | Airport and flight history data reports can now be purchased online at a discount on a subscription basis |
January | Worldwide flight tracking integration available for airline operators using ACARS via ARINC. Simply contact FlightAware to enable. |
2012 | |
December | FlightAware Member #2,000,000 registers |
October | FlightAware announces worldwide coverage for business aviation flight tracking at NBAA 2012 in Orlando |
October | FlightAware for Windows 8 app released for tablets and PCs |
October | ARINC announces that ARINC Direct business aircraft operators will now use FlightAware |
September | FlightAware adds datalink coverage from ARINC Direct, Honeywell GDC, Satcom Direct, Spidertracks, UVdatalink |
August | New FlightAware.com home page with personalized flight searches |
July | New mobile FlightAware.com web site for smartphones |
July | Airline flight "one-step alerts" and alerts sharing released |
July | Track log, flight profile graphs, and My FlightAware maps added to iPhone, iPad, and Android apps |
June | Significant improvement to coverage of live airline flight positions in Europe, Middle East, Japan, Brazil, and New Zealand |
June | Re-designed flight page released - first major enhancement in seven years |
June | New "ATC Mode" maps with unlimited number of flight data tags for airport, fleet, and My FlightAware maps |
May | Resolution of US weather radar increased 4x on site/mobile apps & European weather added to maps for commercial customers |
May | FBO ToolBox Europe and FlightAware Global (worldwide flight tracking product for aircraft operators) released |
May | European general aviation flight tracking coverage announced at EBACE 2012 in Geneva |
March | Worldwide owner/registration data (with history) now available on flight pages for private aircraft |
March | FlightAware API now offers worldwide airline gate and schedule data and also nationwide Australia data |
March | FlightAware Australia launched. Free, live, nationwide live flight tracking for private and airline flights across Australia |
February | FlightAware Live released -- automatic, live position updates automatically streamed to web page maps |
February | Historical flight data (US, UK, Canada) for commercial data products extended to include 1998 - present. |
January | FlightAware API adds JSON interface and push (callback) notifications for flight and airport alerts |
January | Pre-arrival (45 minute) flight notifications added to all flight and airport alerts |
2011 | |
December | FlightAware flight archives pass 250,000,000 flights |
November | FlightAware Photos passes 250,000 photos of over 100,000 aircraft |
September | FlightAware releases mobile flight tracker apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone 7 |
August | Twitter integration announced that allows alerts to be auto-Tweeted |
July | Flight alerts now notify users of gate changes, flight delays |
June | FlightAware Member #1,000,000 registers |
May | Alerts sharing introduced - alerts can now can be setup for friends |
February | FlightXML 2 released - FlightAware's next-generation flight tracking API |
January | FlightAware offers an airline cancellations page to view the impact of major storms |
2010 | |
November | Meal service information added to airline flight tracking pages and flight alerts |
August | Codeshare support added for airline flights, maps and international positions for many airline flights |
June | Major improvements to airline flight tracking, international coverage, gates, and more |
June | FlightAware "Live Flight Tracker" 2.0 iPhone released |
June | Localized content and language formatting made available to over a dozen countries |
May | FlightAware launches re-designed web site design and home page |
May | Altitude/speed graphs added to flight track logs |
April | Free, embedded content made available to media and web site operators |
February | FlightAware adds user-contributed photos and reviews to FBO pages |
January | FlightAware releases US airport delay list, interactive delay map with animated weather |
2009 | |
December | FlightAware flight archives pass 100,000,000 flights |
October | Interactive airport maps with data tag cycling, hovering, zoom/pan |
October | Free Flight Tracking iPhone App released |
September | US VFR Sectional Viewer released |
September | Average Arrival Time (7-day average) added to all airline flight tracking pages |
August | FlightAware joins Twitter and Facebook |
August | Airliner photos displayed on flight tracking pages |
August | Google Earth support added |
August | Zooming, panning, map styles (Earth View, Sectionals) added to flight tracking maps |
July | United Kingdom added to service area |
February | Registered members can subscribe to daily/weekly/monthly aviation news and photo email. |
January | FlightAware Photos section passes 20,000 photos |
2008 | |
July | Endorsements, Flight Crew, and Remarks released |
June | FlightAware Photos released; photos embedded into flight tracking pages. |
May | FlightAware Member #250,000 registers |
March | FlightAware celebrates third birthday; has 15 employees with offices in Houston and New York |
March | FlightAware begins displaying airline schedules and delayed flight information |
2007 | |
September | Squawks released for sharing aviation links |
September | Maps available for flight finder, My FlightAware, aircraft type, and fleet maps |
August | FlightAware flight archives pass 50,000,000 flights |
August | Weather Maps now available with nationwide and regional views |
June | FlightAware registers 150,000th member; serves over 1,250,000 unique users in June |
May | Beta access to fleet maps, aircraft type maps, and route maps released |
2006 | |
December | Commercial user accounts available for Part 135 and 121 operators |
November | Flight Alerts (e-mail and instant message flight tracking notifications) launched |
October | FlightAware release commercial products, AirportAware and FlightXML |
April | Full archive of flight information, track logs, and maps available for all historical flights |
March | FlightAware registers 50,000th member; serves over 300,000 unique users in March |
March | "Pilot Resources" section launched with airport information, IFR terminal procedures |
March | FlightAware releases new logo and redesigned web site |
January | FlightAware registers 25,000th member; serves 100,000 unique users in one week |
2005 | |
November | FlightAware is released from beta status |
October | Next-generation maps with ATC-style airport area views released |
September | Over 1,000 new FlightAware account registrations in the first week of public beta |
September | FlightAware opens to public beta |
August | "My FlightAware" launched |
July | User registration is implemented |
April | FlightAware begins processing live flight data and opens to private beta |
March | FlightAware founded |