Tracking commercial flights has never been easier. From dedicated flight tracking software to browser-based flight watchers in Google, anyone can quickly check in on the location of any scheduled flight. But what about private aviation? Can you track charter flights?

Up until only a few years ago, there was less attention paid to flight trackers on charter flights. That all changed when social media accounts dedicated to publishing the flight plants of celebrities flourished and gained media attention.

Today, there are countless ways to track charter flights just as you would a commercial airline.

Before we get into the process, it’s important to understand why people might want or need to track a private flight. Beyond these social media accounts, there is a legitimate use case for a charter flight tracker: providing visibility into flight status for ground crews, behind-the-scenes workers and family members. 

With that out of the way, here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to track charter flights.

1. Get the Aircraft’s Tail Number

We’re often asked, “Do private charters have flight numbers?” Unlike commercial airlines, the flight is tracked based on the airplane’s tail number, not a flight schedule.

If you’re booking a private jet charter for your friend or family member, be sure to ask your flight advisor for the tail number. And, if you’re the one taking to the skies, share that tail number with anyone who needs to be able to track your flight.

2. Choose a Tracking Service

Equipped with the aircraft’s tail number, you’re ready to start tracking private flights.

FlightAware, FlightRadar24 and ADS-B Exchange are some of the popular trackers available online. To meet the needs of our clients, we built a private jet tracker that makes it easy to unlock real-time flight insights no matter the aircraft’s location. Just input the tail number and press submit.

If you’re asking yourself, “How can I track a private charter,” just collect the tail number and select a tracking service. In today’s world, it really is that easy.

3. Set Flight Alerts

Checking in on a planned private jet flight is easy, but can you track flights live? With our private flight tracker, simply enter the flight details, including the departure date and your contact information, and our alert system takes care of the rest. 

Whether you’re checking on the status of your boss’s flight or just making sure your family made it home safely, alerts sent straight to your phone give you the peace of mind you deserve and the convenience you crave.

So, can you track a chartered flight? Absolutely you can, and with our private jet tracker, it’s a simple process anyone can manage.

For security and privacy-minded fliers, remember that your aircraft’s tail number and the location of the aircraft are the only details available online. Your personal information and that of your fellow passengers stays confidential. So, while anyone can track the aircraft, only you and the people you choose to tell about your flight plans will know that you’re on board. The ability to fly incognito makes on-demand charters the best way to protect your privacy. 

Want to learn more about chartering a private jet and whether or not it’s right for you? Give our private flight advisors a call at (888)593-9066 to get started.