Track Flights in iMessage without Third Party Airline Apps

Are you traveling this holiday season or waiting for flights bearing friends and loved ones? If not, do you frequently travel for work or find yourself constantly using multiple airline apps to track your flight or the flight of a family member?

I’m always refreshing apps on the way to the airport or while sitting in the cell lot in search of the perfectly timed pickup.

The “Travel” Smart Stack on my iPhone has apps for Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, United, American, Alaska, and Hawaiian. Fortunately, there’s a flight tracker feature already hidden on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac…and it’s been there since iOS 15!

Built into Apple’s Messages app, this handy tool has quickly become an iDrop team favorite. Check it out and share it. Chances are you’ll be using it before long.

Tracking flights in the Messages app is simple. You simply need to find an airline and flight number in a text message in this format: [Airline] [FlightNumber]. That iMessage can be sent to or received from anyone, including yourself.

As a test, we’re dreaming of escaping the cold for some sunshine today on JetBlue flight 19 from Boston to San Diego. Send “JetBlue 19” in a message. If it’s underlined, you’re in business.

Tap on the flight information and you should see options to Preview Flight or Copy Flight Code.

Selecting Preview Flight will display real-time flight path, departure and arrival gates, time of departure, flight duration, arrival time, and baggage claim. Swipe left and you’ll see the same for a return flight, if one is available.

Copy Flight Code will allow you to easily share this information with others via text or email.

Although this feature doesn’t offer proactive notifications for delays, cancellations, or gate changes like you’d receive directly from an airline app, it’s definitely a convenient timesaver. Maybe you’ll use it today! We’ll continue to share new features and tricks as we learn them. Safe travels!