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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

FlightStats

45
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

FlightStats is a free flight tracking app praised for its accuracy and ease of use by long-term users, but recent reviews indicate significant issues with data accuracy, inability to select future dates, account creation problems, and concerns over excessive data tracking.

⚠ Not updated in 20 months, this app may be abandoned
4.8★ lifetime (78,630) Free to download since 2012 by LNRS Data Services Limited recent negative 30% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Accuracy & Reliability Date Selection & Search Privacy & Ads Account & Login Issues Apple Watch & Map Functionality
5★432
4★35
3★20
2★27
1★185
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

FlightStats is a long-standing flight tracking application that many users have found reliable for monitoring flights and receiving timely updates. However, recent feedback highlights a decline in its core functionality, with frequent reports of incorrect or delayed information, difficulties with date selection for future flights, and persistent problems creating user accounts. The app's perceived abandonment, with no significant updates in over 20 months, contributes to user frustration.

What users like

  • Provides accurate flight information, including gates and terminals, for many usersR1R5R23R28
  • Offers peace of mind for tracking loved ones' flightsR2R15R16R21
  • Generally easy to use and navigateR9R13R24R55
  • Includes a live flight tracking mapR5

What users complain about

  • Frequently displays incorrect or outdated flight information, including gate changes, departure times, and flight statusR4R8R38R44
  • Users are unable to select future dates for flight searches, severely limiting its utilityR25R30R32R35
  • Problems with account creation, including crashes and failure to send confirmation emailsR11R12R20
  • Concerns about excessive data tracking and privacy, with a long list of partners requesting user consentR70R73R128R155
  • Apple Watch app and widget functionality is broken or missingR14R40R42R111
  • The app is slow to update or retrieve flight information, sometimes showing server errorsR69R85R89R112
  • The live map feature is no longer visible for some users after iOS updatesR353
  • Contains intrusive ads, and the option to remove them via in-app purchase is no longer availableR22R345R390
  • Does not work reliably offline and forgets previously viewed flight informationR153
  • Lack of accessibility features, such as adjustable text size, makes it difficult for some users to readR142

Latest update · v3.4.16

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

zendesk help url updated

Recurring themes

Accuracy & Reliability mixed
Many long-time users praise the app for its accuracy and reliability in providing flight status, gate information, and real-time tracking. However, a significant number of recent reviews report critical inaccuracies, such as incorrect gate numbers, delayed updates, flights showing as airborne when still on the ground, and false cancellations. The developer's notes mention only a URL update, which doesn't address these core functionality issues.R1R4R5R8
Date Selection & Search negative
A prevalent issue is the inability to select future dates for flight searches. Users report the date picker being stuck on the current day or only allowing a few days into the future, rendering the app useless for planning or tracking upcoming travel. This is a critical flaw for a flight tracking app.R25R30R32R35
Account & Login Issues negative
Several users report problems creating a free account, with the app crashing or failing to send email confirmations, leaving them unable to access full features or save flights.R11R12R20
Privacy & Ads negative
Users are concerned about the app's extensive data tracking practices, citing a long list of vendors requesting consent to track user data. Additionally, the app contains intrusive ads, and the option to remove them through in-app purchases is no longer available.R22R70R73R128
Apple Watch & Map Functionality negative
The Apple Watch app and widget are reported as no longer working. Some users also note that the live map feature, which was a popular aspect, has disappeared or is no longer visible after recent iOS updates.R14R40R42R111

Who it's for

FlightStats is for individuals who prioritize a free, simple flight tracking experience and are willing to overlook significant current issues with accuracy and date selection R13R24. It might appeal to those who need to track a flight in real-time on the day of travel, assuming the information is accurate R9. However, it is NOT for users who need to reliably track future flights, require consistent accuracy, prioritize data privacy, or depend on Apple Watch integration R25R70R111.

Evidence note: The recent reviews show a strong negative trajectory, contradicting the high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are older or generic, while negative reviews are specific about recent functional breakdowns. The developer's notes are minimal and do not address any of the reported issues.

Frequently asked

Is FlightStats accurate for tracking flights?
FlightStats' accuracy is inconsistently reported; while some users find it very accurate for gate, terminal, and live flight information R1R5R28, many recent reviews indicate frequent inaccuracies with departure times, gate changes, and flight status, sometimes showing flights as airborne when they are still on the ground R4R8R38.
Can I track future flights with FlightStats?
No, many recent users report that FlightStats does not allow selection of future dates for flight searches, with the date picker often stuck on the current day or only a few days ahead, making it unusable for tracking upcoming travel R25R30R32R35.
Does FlightStats have an Apple Watch app?
While FlightStats previously had an Apple Watch app, recent reviews indicate that it is no longer working or has been removed R14R40R42R111.
Are there ads in FlightStats, and can they be removed?
Yes, FlightStats contains intrusive ads, including clickbait notifications R22R345R390. Users report that the option to remove these ads via an in-app purchase is no longer available R390.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] 5/5 · US Accurate: It’s great to have this app, I used it a lot to get info about gate , terminals etc . I really like it and I have this apps for a few years ! It’s a keeper !
  2. [R5] 5/5 · US Best flight tracking app we’ve found: We have downloaded & deleted so many flight tracker apps because they just do not perform as needed. Flightstats very good with all pertinent info right in front of you. Also, best LIVE flight tracking map we’ve seen. Bonus is it’s free. For now…. Many thanks to developers!
  3. [R23] 4/5 · US Flightstats: Flightstats is my go to app whenever I have friends or family traveling. It gives me accurate information on when they will depart and when they will arrive at their destination, I’ve been using it for 10 years.
  4. [R28] 5/5 · US Love FlightStats: Great free app that gives you all pertinent flight info…departure and arrival gates, departure arrival times and inflight information!!!
  5. [R2] 5/5 · US Peace of mind: Great tool for parents’ peace of mind. Thanks
  6. [R15] 5/5 · US Best app: Through this app , I can see and track the flight of my wife and kids back to U.S from VN ,, thank you FlightStats 👍
  7. [R16] 5/5 · US Love it: I love this app specially because my daughter is traveling by her self and this app is helpful for to track her.
  8. [R21] 5/5 · US Flight tracker: Great app for a worried momma . Watched my child fly from Dallas to Utah and back .
  9. [R9] 5/5 · US Flight: It makes life simple to check status before leaving home
  10. [R13] 5/5 · US Best flight tracker ever!!: So many of these flight sites want to charge you … and then they’re so complicated u need a graduate degree to figure out how to use them!!! So glad that FLIGHTSTATS keeps it SIMPLE and FREE to use .. and most important USER FRIENDLY!!!
  11. [R24] 5/5 · US Easy to use: Great app. Accurate information. Simple and easy to use
  12. [R55] 5/5 · US Husband, Father: Simply not confusing perfect thank you
  13. [R4] 1/5 · US Incorrect gate information in ATL: Flight attendant here. I cannot rely on flight stats, many times have the incorrect gate posted.
  14. [R8] 1/5 · US Plane did not leave when flight stats said: Usually flight stats is right on
  15. [R38] 1/5 · US Don’t use: Wife was on a flight and left the gate but had to return for an issue. But the app had her in the air. Even showed her speed and altitude. Yet she was on the ground
  16. [R44] 1/5 · US Horrible Experience: First time using this app, and never again! I was a worried mother about her son traveling alone out of Florida. The app showed me they went through a storm and made it out, which was a relief. After 20 minutes I checked the status again for the app to advise the flight went back south and was heading to the Bahamas. All I can think about was something happened to the plane du
  17. [R25] 1/5 · US Bad UI: I tried to search for a flight on a future date, but it wouldn’t let me.
  18. [R30] 1/5 · US Bug made it unusable: Seemed ok at first, got a couple flights added and wanted to add my returning flight that was set for the following month but it wouldn’t let me change the month. No matter what I tried, the date in the search field was set in stone and I couldn’t change it. Uninstalled.
  19. [R32] 1/5 · US Date not working: Today is May 23 and my flight is May 28. I was unable to change the month at all, and the date displaying at first is May 20 and then it will only allow me to change the date to May 26. If I delete that info and start over, again it starts off showing May 20 and only will only change to May 26. Thought it was my phone…. but nope, it does exactly the same thing on my husband’s pho
  20. [R35] 1/5 · US The Date: It’s not allowing me to change the date, it’s stuck on 4-9-2025 and today’s date is 4-17-2025! Don’t know what the problem is.
  21. [R11] 2/5 · US Like the app: But it crashes every time I create an account so I am stuck on using as an unregistered user.
  22. [R12] 3/5 · US What happened?: Used to be a very reliable app…can’t even create a free account anymore. Had high hopes but now it’s just useless.
  23. [R20] 1/5 · US inoperative: Tried multiple times to create account…never sent email confirmation. Very frustrating!
  24. [R70] 1/5 · US Excessive tracking: Went to use app and was faced with a huge list of vendors who want to track me. Tried to opt out but then couldn’t use app. Deleted it
  25. [R73] 3/5 · US Used to be great: What’s the deal with the list of vendors asking for approval to track users of this app?
  26. [R128] 1/5 · US Immediately deleted. This app tracks & spies on everything on your phone!!: The Apple warning is not correct! This app gets into every nook & cranny of your phone. Do not use if you value your privacy.
  27. [R155] 1/5 · US “We share your information….: …on the basis of consent and legitimate interest”. Click here to see our partner list. I thought sure, show me. Over 500 that I could enable and disable. Those were the voluntary ones for opt-out. There were other sections, without voluntary opt-out. I felt like piece of meat for sale. Cool app does lots of good stuff, but at the price of my privacy? And al
  28. [R14] 5/5 · US Watch?: Love this app. It’s very accurate! I just wish that it could go back to being on the Apple Watch as well.
  29. [R40] 3/5 · US Apple Watch app: What happened to the great Apple Watch app? Please bring it back.
  30. [R42] 1/5 · US Quitaron soporte apple watch: Pésimo que hayan quitado el soporte de Apple watch
  31. [R111] 1/5 · US Apple Watch widget: Not working: Please fix the Apple Watch widget asap! It no longer works :( Other than that the app is very nifty. Nelson
  32. [R69] 1/5 · US Can’t find the flight: Just installed app to track a delayed southwest flight and it just gives error messages- flight not found and server error
  33. [R85] 1/5 · US Anyone still using this?: 🤣🤣🤣. Forgot to delete the app from my phone. Decided to track my wife’s flight tonight. Path was better. No North Pole sight seeing this time. But the flight tracker is so delayed, not even funny anymore. Worst flight tracker for any device., - Older., , This app used to be so reliable that it stayed on every phone I had the last 5 years or even
  34. [R89] 1/5 · US The updated App is giving error message: The updated App is giving error message and not logging always a pop up of error logging , plz rectify the problems
  35. [R112] 1/5 · US Something broke.: I have loved this app in the past. I have been preparing for a flight for the past two weeks, and tonight I find that no matter what I do, entering either the flight number, Airline, and date or going by route or airport, all I can get is either no such flight or the server returns no response. I delete the app and reloaded it and it doesn’t help. I hope they can sort this out.
  36. [R353] 3/5 · GB Map disappeared...: I love this app and use it a lot. But with my recent IOS upgrade, the map is no longer visible when you click “track this flight.” Not terrible, but the live map was a really fun aspect of the app and it’s a shame that it no longer works! Otherwise a very useful app.
  37. [R22] 1/5 · US Horrible: When opening app and checking flight status, right under flight info I’m presented with a clickbait about a “Breaking: Plane Crash” notification. It was for a plane crash from 5-months back but really. If someone was not aware they could be devastated. Obviously an ad but really, you don’t monitor for things like this? Very displeased.
  38. [R345] 3/5 · GB Quite confusing and covered in ads: Wanted to like this, but it’s so covered in ads that it’s hard to tell what’s flying when.
  39. [R390] 3/5 · GB Good app, but annoying adverts: The application itself is good. Well laid out, accurate and has everything that you need to know about the flight. My only annoyance is that the ability to remove adverts has been removed (no in-app purchases are available). The adverts are quite large too.
  40. [R153] 2/5 · US Doesn’t work offline: Surprise! If you open it while airplane mode is on as it’s usually is during a flight it completely forgets anything it showed like 1 minute ago when you had internet. Very convenient.
  41. [R142] 1/5 · US Text is too small: All text is too small for me to read. I have a vision problem and require larger text. I get the largest iphone screen possible. To go with the large screen, the best apps utilize Text Size in Accessibility Settings, have their own text size setting or allow pinch to zoom. Your app has none of these. I literally must use a magnifying glass to read screens in this app. What can I

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store