How to Use FlightRadar24 – Complete and Easy-to-Follow Guide

Whether you have a loved one on a plane or want to know exactly when your flight lands to pick up your rental car, FlightRadar24 is one of the most useful apps you can use.

In this premium guide, you will find step-by-step:

• How to install and access FlightRadar24
• How to search for a flight by number
• How to search for flights by departure airport
• How to search for flights by arrival airport (e.g., Cluj Airport)
• How to read the displayed information
• Which features are worth using constantly

If your flight is delayed and you have a car reservation, we also recommend our dedicated article:
👉 What to do if your flight is delayed and you have a car rental reservation?

1. What is FlightRadar24 and how does it help you?

FlightRadar24 is a platform (website + mobile app) that shows you in real-time:

• The position of aircraft on the map
• Estimated takeoff and landing times
• Delays
• Flight details (altitude, speed, route)

It is extremely useful for:

• Passengers who want to know if their flight is delayed
• People waiting for someone at the airport
• Drivers or rent-a-car companies that need to sync perfectly with a flight's arrival

If you want to prepare the car for your post-flight journey, we recommend:
👉 Premium Guide: How to correctly check a car before hitting the road

2. How to access FlightRadar24 (App and Website)

Available versions:

Steps for the mobile app:

1. Open the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
2. Search for “FlightRadar24”.
3. Install the official app.
4. Open the app and accept necessary permissions (e.g., location, if you want to see airports around you).

or

Install for iOS | Install for ANDROID

Steps for the web version:

1. Open your browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).
2. Go to the official site: flightradar24.com.
3. You will see the real-time aircraft map immediately.

3. How to search for a flight by number (The most precise method)

This is the fastest and most accurate method.

Steps:

1. Open the FlightRadar24 app or website.
2. Look for the Search icon (magnifying glass).
3. Enter the flight number – for example:
   • W6 3001
   • FR 1234
   • LH 1678
4. Select the flight from the results.

You will see:

• The plane's position on the map
• Estimated landing time
• Any delays
• The flight route

4. How to search for flights by departure airport

This method is useful when:

• You know where the plane is coming from
• You don't know the flight number

Steps:

1. In the app, go to the Airports section or use the search bar.
2. Type the name or airport code:
   • “Bucharest Otopeni” or OTP - “Cluj-Napoca” or CLJ 3. Enter the airport's page.
3. Choose the Departures tab.

Here you will see:

• All flights departing from that airport
• Scheduled times
• Any delays
• The airline and destination (e.g., Cluj-Napoca)

5. How to search for flights by arrival airport (e.g., Cluj Airport)

If you are in Cluj waiting for someone or have reserved a car at the airport, this method is ideal.

Steps:

1. Open the FlightRadar24 app or website.
2. Go to Airports or use the search bar.
3. Search for: “Cluj-Napoca” or the code CLJ.
4. Enter the airport and open the Arrivals tab.

You will see:

• A list of all flights landing in Cluj
• Scheduled time
• Real estimated time
• Status (in flight, delayed, landed, etc.)

If you want to know what to do when a flight is delayed, read:
👉 What to do if your flight is delayed and you have a car rental reservation?

6. How to read the displayed flight information

After selecting a flight, a detail window opens.

Main Information:

• From / To – Departure and arrival airports
• Scheduled / Estimated – Planned time vs. real estimated time
• Status – On time, delayed, landed, etc.
• Aircraft – Type of plane
• Altitude & Speed – Current flight data
• Route – Path on the map

Interpretation Example:

• Scheduled Arrival: 14:30 - Estimated Arrival: 15:05 ⇒ The flight has a delay of approximately 35 minutes.

In such a situation, it is very useful to adjust the time you show up at the airport or when you plan your rented car pickup.

7. How to use the map in FlightRadar24

The map is the heart of the app.

What you can do on the map:

• Zoom in or zoom out - Tap on any plane to see its details
• See traffic density over a specific area

Premium Tip:

If you are waiting for someone at Cluj Airport:

1. Center the map on the Cluj area.
2. Search for that person's specific flight.
3. Track it in the last 30–40 minutes before landing.

This way, you know exactly when to head to the airport or what time to schedule your car pickup directly from the airport.

8. FlightRadar24 – Free vs. Advanced Features

You don't need a paid subscription to track a loved one's flight or your own.

For personal use (travel, airport greeting, syncing with a Rent’n Go reservation), the free version is sufficient.

9. Practical tips when using FlightRadar24 before a flight

• Check the flight 2–3 hours before departure.
• Follow the flight status in the last 60 minutes before landing.
• If you see a clear delay, notify the car rental company in advance.
• Keep the flight number saved on your phone (screenshot or notes).

If you have already reserved a car in Cluj, you can plan everything so that when the plane lands, the car is waiting for you.
See also:
👉 How car pickup works at Cluj Airport

10. Conclusion

FlightRadar24 is an extremely powerful yet easy-to-use tool. It gives you control, safety, and clarity when traveling or waiting for someone at the airport.

Combined with a premium rent-a-car service directly from the airport, it allows for a perfectly organized experience: you know exactly when you land, you know when the car is ready, and you can plan the rest of your journey in peace.

Premium Resources

• What to do if your flight is delayed and you have a car rental reservation?
• Advantages of Renting a Car Directly from Cluj-Napoca Airport
• View all our articles on the Rent’n Go Blog

For a complete experience – real-time flight tracking and a car ready upon arrival – Rent’n Go offers premium services, available 24/7 at Cluj Airport.
Contact us for a fast and elegant reservation.