FlightAware
- Founded
- 2005-01-01 in Houston, Texas, USA
- Headquarters
- Eleven Greenway Plaza, Houston, Texas 77046, USA
FlightAware is a digital aviation company that operates the world’s largest flight tracking and data platform. Founded in 2005 by Daniel Baker, the company provides real-time, historical, and predictive flight tracking products to airlines, business aviation operators, airports, government agencies, and over 12 million monthly users. Its platform fuses data from more than 50 government air traffic control authorities, a proprietary network of over 40,000 ADS-B ground stations in 196 countries, satellite-based ADS-B from Aireon, and datalink providers such as ARINC, SITA, and Garmin. FlightAware’s core technology, HyperFeed®, aggregates thousands of global sources with proprietary AI models to deliver actionable insights. Key products include FlightAware Foresight (predictive analytics), Firehose (streaming API), AeroAPI (on-demand data), and consumer applications like Aviator and Global. The company serves over 10,000 aircraft operators and 100+ airlines. In November 2021, FlightAware was acquired by Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), and now operates as an independent subsidiary headquartered in Houston, Texas, with offices in New York, London, Singapore, and Austin. The company has been profitable since 2006 and continues to expand its global coverage and predictive capabilities.
Detailed Review
Founding and Early Growth
FlightAware began as a side project in 2004 when founder Daniel Baker, then a 22-year-old software engineer and pilot, wanted a way for his family to track his private flights. He recruited friends Karl Lehenbauer and David McNett to build a free public flight tracking service. The company was officially founded on March 17, 2005, and began processing live flight data. It earned over $1 million in revenue within its first 18 months and has been profitable since 2006, growing 40–50% annually as of 2014.
Platform and Products
The company’s platform provides coverage for both commercial and general aviation, including a dedicated helicopter tracking service launched in October 2023 (Global for Helicopters). FlightAware’s data products are used for airline scheduling, crew management, gate assignments, de-icing coordination, and passenger notifications. Its ADS-B receiver network, built through open-source PiAware software and commercial FlightFeeder devices, forms the backbone of global coverage. The core technology, HyperFeed®, fuses thousands of global data sources with AI models to produce real-time, historical, and predictive flight insights. Key products include FlightAware Foresight (predictive analytics), Firehose (streaming API), AeroAPI (on-demand data), Aviator, Global, FBO Toolbox, and GlobalBeacon for ICAO compliance.
Acquisition and Recent Events
In 2021, Collins Aerospace completed its acquisition of FlightAware, integrating it into its avionics and digital solutions portfolio while maintaining the brand’s independence. In August 2024, FlightAware disclosed a data breach that exposed user passwords and email addresses, with potential exposure of extended profile data. The company notified affected users but did not disclose the number impacted. Despite this incident, FlightAware remains a critical data provider for the aviation industry, with over 10,000 aircraft operator customers and 500 million flight tracking pages served monthly (as of June 2019).
Key Products
FlightAware Foresight
Predictive technology that increases operational efficiency gate-to-gate using AI and machine learning models.
Firehose
An enterprise-grade streaming API that fuses airborne and surface ADS-B positions with flight status events and predictive insights.
AeroAPI
On-demand flight data API for real-time flight status and tracking data.
Reports
Custom, purpose-built flight tracking reports with global coverage.
Integrated Mapping Solutions
Comprehensive mapping tools for embedding in apps and websites.
Aviator
Flight tracking application designed for general aviation pilots and operators.
Global
Flight tracking solution for business aviation operators.
FBO Toolbox
Flight tracking for fixed-base operators (FBOs) to manage ground services.
FlightAware TV
Full-screen flight tracking maps for display in lobbies or operations centers.
GlobalBeacon
Real-time global flight tracking and alerting for airlines and operators, built in partnership with Aireon to meet ICAO flight tracking compliance.
PiAware
Open-source software that enables users to build their own ADS-B receiver using low-cost hardware (e.g., Raspberry Pi) to contribute to FlightAware’s network.
FlightFeeder
A commercial ADS-B receiver device that listens for aircraft transponder signals and decodes aircraft positions.
HyperFeed®
The proprietary data fusion engine that integrates thousands of global data sources with AI models to produce real-time, historical, and predictive flight insights.
Key Persons
- Daniel Baker
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Founder
- Karl Lehenbauer
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)
Recent News
Kalshi Files to Expand Flight Delay Contracts to All US Airports
Kalshi has asked the CFTC to let it offer flight-delay and cancellation contracts for all US airports, using data from FlightAware and the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, while also facing a separate regulatory standoff in Michigan.
2026-07-15