How to Know If the Flight Took Off on Time

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that 18.79 percent of all flights in 2009 were delayed by at least 15 minutes. This delay refers to either departure time, arrival time or both. The good news is that this percentage is down from 24.35 percent in 2007. The bad news is, that you still have nearly a one-in-five chance of being delayed when you fly. Knowing whether a flight took off on time is a strong indication of whether it will land on time. This is helpful information whether you are curious about your own flight or that of someone else.

Instructions

    • 1

      Visit the airline website to check the flight's status online. Most airline websites offer a flight status information. By providing information to locate the correct flight, such as the flight's departure and arrival airports or the flight number, the website gives you up-to-date information about the flight. This information generally includes the exact departure time along with the estimated arrival time. If your airline offers in-flight internet access, you can check this while flying to determine your exact departure time.

    • 2

      Find a screen that displays arrivals and departures at the airport. These screens offer information about the flight, often including its exact departure time if it has already departed. Small airports may offer information about all flights on one set of screens, but at larger airports you may need to find the screens for the specific airline. These are often located near each airline's check-in area.

    • 3

      Ask a flight attendant for the exact departure time if you are on the flight and do not have in-flight internet access. Most airplanes have a small button showing a picture of a flight attendant either directly over your head or on your armrest. Press this button to call the flight attendant. You may then ask him for the exact departure time.

    • 4

      Ask a member of the airline's personnel.The airline staff at the check-in desk or at the gate will be able to provide you with precise information about the flight's departure time.

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