ResourceShelf's Real-Time Compilation #9: Real Time Flight Tracking and More from FlightStats.com
NOTE: To review many other databases in this collection, check this link.
In the first post in our real-time database series we talked about FlightAware, a service that offers real time tracking of airplanes (air speed, ETA, lat/lon, historical data, etc.). We mentioned this was one of MANY services (both free and fee-based) offering this type of info. We promised to share others. So today, a look at:
FlightStats.com not only offers real-time tracking (by Flt #, Route, Airport) and live maps (when flights are in U.S./Canadian air space but much more. Features include:
+ Ability to display or hide codeshare flights
+ Take off and landing alerts
+ RSS Feeds for Airport Delays (Data from FAA). Delay for one airport or a single feed with all delays.
+ Airport Maps and Other Airport Data (Global)
+ Historical Data including on-time performance
+ Overall on-time/delayed route statistics
+ Forums
+ Road conditions to the airport (nice!) along with airport directory information (even nicer)
+ Frequent Flyer info and specials (by airline or route)
+ Numerous widgets and downloads
+ Massive list of airlines of the world
Well done! Now, let's hope that a mobile version is in the works.
Btw, I can anticipate some of the comments, we will receive when comparing the two services.
1) FlightStats doesn't offer tail-number searching. FlightAware does. Useful if your tracking a business jet and know the tail number (assuming it hasn't been blocked).
2) FlightAware offers more time traffic stats over time (hour, week, month, etc.)
3) FlightStats offers Gate Info
4) FlightAware doesn't offer minute-by-minute air speed, lat/lon, heading info.
Bottom Line: Competition is good. Take the features that you need to create the best service possible.
Of course, other flight-tracking services are available and we will cover them in upcoming compilation entries.
More real-time dbase services of all types to come in this series.
NOTE: To review many other databases in this collection, check this link.
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