My 5 favorite mobile apps for expert travelers and aviation enthusiasts
Mobile apps have streamlined the travel experience for me.
Whether it's checking in online, changing my seat assignment or selecting my preferred hotel room, these digital tools reduce touchpoints along the journey, getting me from point A to point B faster, easier and with less stress.
Some travel-focused apps accomplish the basics; others are designed for power users, especially budding aviation enthusiasts and those who want to know all the details about their flight and travel experience.
Let's recap some of my favorites.
FlightRadar24
FlightRadar24 is a must-download app for anyone who is on the go and wants to learn more about what's going on at airports around them. The app gives you an overview of all the flights arriving and departing from almost any airport in near real time. Once you have an overview of the airport, each plane displays the airline to which it belongs, as well as its registration number, altitude, speed, heading and coordinates.
You can take a look at how many planes are ahead of you for takeoff and which runway configuration is in use at a particular moment. You can even watch as planes descend to land.
The app has a built-in augmented reality view, which works when you tilt your phone to the sky. The app will then overlay the tracking information for the planes that you're seeing.
Alternative: If you're only interested in the essentials, consider using FlightAware instead of FlightRadar24. You can view real-time flight statuses and route maps, as well as other handy details like speed and altitude.
AeroWeather
If you're serious about the weather, then AeroWeather is for you. The app provides an easy-to-understand look at detailed weather information, including wind speed, visibility and atmospheric pressure.
It's helpful for determining the weather conditions at your departure and arrival airport – and can often offer a look at whether Mother Nature will delay or possibly cancel your flight.
Alternative: Though AeroWeather offers airport-specific weather information from aerodrome reports, WeatherUnderground (and other weather apps) will likely suffice for those just trying to get a high-level look at what conditions will be like at their destination.
LiveATC
Have you ever waited in a long line for takeoff wondering how much longer it'll take until you're airborne? While you could look at the real-time map on FlightRadar24, you could alternatively listen to the air traffic controllers at your airport as they clear planes for takeoff, thanks to LiveATC.
With live feeds at airports and control centers worldwide, LiveATC lets you listen to what's going on in the cockpit of planes overhead. Sometimes, the commentary on the radio can get quite colorful. Other times, you can hear pilots request (and receive) clearance for a special approach over Manhattan and other areas.
Alternative: If you're flying United, you can tune into Channel 9 on your seatback entertainment to also get a live feed of the air traffic control audio. Alternatively, just listen to the public address system for the latest updates from your flight crew.
Flighty
Will your flight get delayed? With Flighty, you might know before everyone else on your plane. The app monitors your inbound aircraft, predicts delays and promises to share live push notifications before you hear about delays from the gate agent or pilot. You can even import prior flights to create an automated annual flight log.
The app has received rave reviews from TPGers and other outlets as well, and it even won Apple's Editor's Choice award.
Alternative: If you don't need to be the first to know about a delay, then just listen for announcements in the airport or plane and use airline-branded mobile apps to monitor your flights.
TripIt
For some expert travelers and aviation enthusiasts, the best trips are those with multiple segments, whether that's because you're trying to requalify for elite status or prefer to spend your time in the sky.
With TripIt, you can easily organize, manage and track all your reservations in an easy-to-read trip timeline. I personally love the app's integration with Apple's iCal, which allows me to see all the reservations on my iPhone's built-in calendar app without any manual imports.
Alternative: Did you know that both the Apple and Google calendar apps can automatically sort through your email inbox and add your reservations to your calendar? It's a nifty feature, but those who make frequent changes would likely prefer TripIt's setup.
Bonus: TPG App
A discussion of mobile travel apps wouldn't be complete without mentioning TPG's newly released mobile app.
The TPG App serves as an invaluable resource for planning the trips you've been putting off due to the pandemic with the points and miles you've been unable to use since last year. The app tracks all your loyalty balances, shows you how to best spend your points and miles and tells you which credit card to use for different purchases.
It's the perfect tool to help you learn, earn and then burn your points and miles to make travel easier.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.