On July 19, a significant IT outage led to the cancellation or delay of thousands of flights worldwide, affecting major airlines like Delta, United, and American Airlines. This incident not only caused operational headaches for the airlines but also threw countless travelers’ plans into disarray. However, one lesson emerged from this chaos: having easy access to your flight information is crucial. And there’s a nifty iPhone hack that makes it incredibly simple.
“Did you know you can access real-time flight data right in your Messages app?” Captain Chris shared in a 2023 Instagram post. “Using iMessage, you don’t need an airline app, a flight tracking app, or even Google to check your flight status.” He revealed that iMessage has a built-in “flight status tool” providing real-time information on departures, arrivals, gate changes, and baggage claim numbers. To use this feature, text your airline name and flight number to someone with an iPhone—preferably the person picking you up from the airport. For example, you can text “Virgin Atlantic 007” or “Delta Airlines 007,” or simply “Flight VS 007” or “Flight DL007.”
When you send the text, the flight number transforms into a clickable link containing all the relevant flight details.
“If you or the recipient click on that link, the option ‘Preview Flight’ will appear with an image of an airplane. Clicking this link displays all the information you need,” Captain Chris explained.
This feature provides details like departure time, arrival time, flight status (on time, delayed, or canceled), flight duration, and even the baggage claim area once available. While this hack won’t speed up your flight or prevent delays, it offers peace of mind by putting all the critical information at your fingertips. If only our iPhones could also order our favorite in-flight beverage, we’d be all set.
So next time you find yourself navigating the complexities of air travel, remember this simple iPhone trick. It might not solve every problem, but it sure makes keeping track of your flight information a whole lot easier.
