What am I flying over? How to see what's below your plane

Option 1: the seatback moving map

Many long-haul aircraft show a moving map on the seatback screen or the cabin display. It's free and needs no setup, but it usually shows your route, position and cities rather than naming the landmarks, mountains and coastlines directly below you, and it isn't available on every flight.

Option 2: study the route before you board

Look up your flight's route and think about what it crosses: coastlines, mountain ranges, big cities and islands. It's a good way to know what to watch for, but routes shift with weather and air traffic, so you can't be sure what's beneath you at any moment.

Option 3: GPS and an offline flight map

Your phone's GPS works in airplane mode, with no Wi-Fi or mobile signal needed. An app that pairs GPS with an offline landmark map can show where you are and name what's below and ahead. That is what AirReveal does on iPhone and iPad:

• Live position on a flight map, using your device's GPS.
• Landmarks, cities and natural wonders along your route, named as you pass over them.
• Which side to look from: whether a landmark, or the golden-hour sun, is on the left or right of the aircraft.
• Offline first: download your flight's content before departure and the maps and landmarks are ready without a connection.
• A flight journal and travel log that keeps every flight, the places you discovered and your country passport.

Frequently asked questions

What am I flying over right now?

Use an app that combines your device's GPS with an offline map of landmarks, such as AirReveal. It places you on the map and names the cities, coastlines and landmarks beneath and ahead of your plane.

Does GPS work on a plane without Wi-Fi?

Yes. Your phone's GPS receiver works in airplane mode and doesn't need Wi-Fi or a mobile signal, although the signal is strongest by a window. The map and landmark data need to be on your device already, so download them before you board.

Which side of the plane has the best view?

It depends on your route, the time of day and where the sun is. AirReveal tells you whether a landmark, or the golden-hour sun, is on the left or right of the aircraft so you know which window to use.

AirReveal is a personal flight companion, not an official flight-status, air-traffic or aviation-safety service. Always follow airline, airport and crew information.

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