Arriving at the airport can be extremely frustrating just to find out that the flight is delayed. Fortunately, there are clever travel hacks that reveal flight delays before the airline officially confirms.
In 2024, the average delay for flights from major airports across the UK was just over 18 minutes. In many cases, delays were caused by aircraft arriving late. According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Gatwick was the worst airport in the UK due to its second year flight delay.
HolidayMakers currently recommends monitoring your flights using plane tracking apps such as FlightAware, Flightradar24, and Airplane Finder. They help to give the exact location of the plane assigned to the flight. This often helps you find a delay an hour before the official announcement.
Travel expert Ski Vertigo said: “It's surprisingly easy, after a few taps, you can see where the incoming aircraft are and if they're late in schedule.
The expert adds: “This trick is especially useful if you're flying during peak travel seasons, like July or December. When delays occur, the queue grows rapidly, and early knowledge means faster re-booking or better seating.”
The flight tracking app shows the real-time location, speed, and delays from previous journeys. This allows travelers to connect dots and calculate delays before the airline announces.
Ski Vertigo explains:
Experts recommend entering your flight number and searching for flights on the tracker app. You can then view the inbound journey of the aircraft.
If you are running late, your flight will also be delayed. Some apps also show estimated turnaround times, including aircraft refueling, cleaning and boarding.
Additionally, some apps offer live alerts so you can track the latest information on gate changes, delays, or aircraft swaps. It also offers revised arrival times to help you plan accordingly.
