Keeping track of flights can be stressful, especially if you’re waiting for someone to arrive or trying to catch a connecting flight. Fortunately, if you’re using an Apple device, you can easily track flights and share information with others without having to leave your device. In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to use the flight tracking abilities built into iOS and macOS to quickly find flight information and share it with others via iMessage or Mail.
To get started, simply swipe down on the home screen of your iPhone to bring up Spotlight Search. From there, you can enter the airline and flight number to search for a specific flight. For example, if you’re looking for United Airlines Flight 1477, you can enter “ua1477” or “United Airlines 1477” to get the flight information. The top result will give you a basic summary of the flight, including its current status, dates, duration, and baggage claim carousel. If you tap on the result, you’ll get a full page preview of the flight, including detailed information such as the departure and arrival airports. You can even jump to a detailed map of either airport by tapping on the “Open in Maps” button.
If you’re using a Mac, you can use Spotlight Search the same way to find flight information. Once you’ve found the flight you’re looking for, you can share the information with others via iMessage or Mail. To do this, simply enter the flight number with the airline abbreviation or airline name. Data detectors will recognize this as flight information, and the recipient, whether on a Mac or an iOS device, can simply click on the flight to view a preview of its status and other information. You’ll know that the flight information has been recognized if it gets underlined when you send it.
It’s important to note that data detectors for flight information require macOS Monterey or iOS 15. If you’re not using one of these operating systems, you won’t be able to take advantage of this feature. Additionally, be sure to include the word “airline” or use the airline abbreviation when sending flight information via iMessage or Mail. For example, if you’re sending a message about Alaska Airlines Flight 2373, you’ll need to use the abbreviation “a.s” or include the word “airline” in your message.
In conclusion, if you’re using an Apple device, tracking flights and sharing information with others has never been easier. By using the built-in flight tracking abilities of iOS and macOS, you can quickly find the information you need and share it with others via iMessage or Mail. Whether you’re waiting for a loved one to arrive or trying to catch a connecting flight, this feature can help take some of the stress out of travel. For more information about the new features in iOS 15, check out our full tutorial at themacu.com.