How To Check Your Flight Status With This Hidden iPhone Feature

Flight tracking apps for iPhone like Flighty still offer the most intuitive and dedicated user interface for checking flights, and novice users should probably download one of these apps if they plan to do so often. But there are a couple of ways you can check on your flight without having to go that deep.

For starters, if a family member or friend texts you a flight number, iOS will automatically recognize it and allow you to click the number to bring up more details and context. You simply long-press the message to show a quick map of the flight’s trajectory and its current position along the path.

If you want to see even more detail, long-press the flight number, and you’ll see two submenu options: one that allows you to copy the flight number (perhaps for pasting into another app or website), and one that says “Preview Flight.” Tapping “Preview Flight” will bring up a map showing the current status, destination, departure and arrival times, flight duration, and which baggage claim it has been assigned.