FLIGHTAWARE FIREHOSE℠

Real-time global flight tracking

Firehose is an enterprise grade streaming API that fuses airborne and surface ADS-B positions with flight status events and predictive insights. Continuously track and monitor global air traffic with unmatched accuracy, all in a single, easily integrated API.
Request pricingStart free trial
Enterprise grade streaming
Seamless integration of positions, flight status, and predictive data
Unmatched coverage
Real time tracking across the globe
Simple integration
Deliver insights directly into your own applications
More data sources. More coverage.

FlightAware operates a robust network of more than 41,000 terrestrial ADS-B receivers for reliable global tracking. To extend reach in remote regions, Firehose also integrates:

  • Aireon’s space based ADS B network
  • Datalink and ACARS providers
  • Radar feeds
Tap into additional data layers with FlightAware Firehose, including:

With a wide variety of data layers and sources, you can tailor your FlightAware Firehose experience to meet your unique business needs.

  • Airborne positions
  • Surface and near-surface positions
  • Detailed flight status and block events (FLIFO)
  • Industry-leading Foresight predictions. Including ETA, taxi-out duration, and arrival runway predictions
  • Flight hold detection and go-around detection
  • Airborne weather
  • Surface entry and exit events based on customer-defined polygons
Powered by Hyperfeed®
FlightAware’s Firehose ADS-B data feed is powered by HyperFeed, a machine learning and rules engine that uses thousands of proprietary models and algorithms to compile, evaluate and aggregate over 10,000 aircraft positions per second. HyperFeed fuses data from terrestrial ADS-B, radar, Mode S multilateration (MLAT), datalink, and Aireon space-based ADS-B to deliver the highest quality, truly global and complete flight tracking data.
View interactive coverage map

features

Why FlightAware Firehose?

Anywhere tracking
Access the world’s most comprehensive flight tracking data, covering polar regions, oceans, and remote areas. FlightAware adds new terrestrial ADS-B receivers in new locations daily.
Auto-detection key operational events
We take flight tracking a step further with real-time operational insights. Leveraging our rich flight tracking and sophisticated detection logic we automatically identify operational deviations, including flights entering/exiting a holding pattern or executing a go-around.
Data replay
Never miss a thing. FlightAware’s PITR (Point In Time Recovery) enables you resume where you left off in the event you temporarily lose your connection, or replay data to review an event or obtain historical data.
Flexible Configuration
You chose the scope and type of data required for your use case, which is then used to establish a fixed monthly fee.
Created for Enterprise Integrations
Offering 24x7 phone support, redundancy, and high SLAs to ensure seamless operation of critical systems.
FLIGHTAWARE FORESIGHT®
Use Firehose to access FlightAware’s Foresight predictive technology.
Foresight harnesses robust historical and real-time aviation data, weather data, and advanced ML to deliver powerful, predictive insights that optimize operations and anticipate risk across nearly every flight on the planet.
Learn more
Developer support
Firehose is a TCP-based, SSL-secured streaming data feed that delivers flight positions and statuses in JSON Lines format. With full access to comprehensive online documentation and premium support, you’ll have the tools you need to get started quickly. Sample code and the Firestarter SDK are also available to leverage and accelerate your development process. We are in this together, and help ensure your success.
Explore developer documentation

USE CASES

Example use cases

Airports
Airport managers and passengers all benefit from live flight tracking visualizations built with FlightAware's Firehose. Developers can build tools that show aircraft in the air and on the ground at the airport, along with flight status information and so much more.
Airlines
Aircraft operators who choose to build their own operational tools can seamlessly integrate FlightAware's Firehose data feed to track their aircraft in the air as well as on the ground.
Aircraft/Engine Manufacturers
FlightAware's Firehose data feed enables aircraft and engine manufacturers to track equipment utilization and comply with maintenance schedules.
GADSS Compliance
By layering Aireon space-based ADS-B data feed, developers can create solutions that exceed ICAO's GADSS flight tracking standards with positions updated at least once per minute anywhere in the world.
Aircraft Situational Displays
FlightAware delivers flight tracking to many of the industry's leading ASDs via Firehose integrations that enable global, real-time flight tracking and powerful analysis.
Air Traffic Flow Management
With our Firehose ADS-B data feed, ATC, ANSPs, and airspace managers can better manage airspace and predict capacity in real time to reduce delays and congestion. It also supports historical data replay for after-the-fact analysis of past events.
Data delivery options
FlightAware offers two powerful APIs for integrating real-time aviation data into your custom application - meeting virtually any business need. Firehose delivers real-time streaming data, while AeroAPI offers on-demand access to the same aviation intelligence, plus comprehensive historical data access.
Compare our APIs

Get in touch about Firehose

Questions & Answers

How do I know how much using Firehose will cost me?
Total monthly pricing is established on a per customer basis to meet each unique use case. It is based on scope of data (geographic region(s), operator(s)) and type of data layers desired. Our team of data experts will help you identify exactly what you need and provide options to meet those needs.
How can I view my Firehose account status?
Existing customers can visit the Firehose Dashboard to see current account settings and active connection information.
Can I get a Firehose trial?
Yes! You can self-signup for a brief trial containing limited historical data only here, or contact FlightAware for a full trial to real-time data with to access to all data layers.
Are there any new features?
We regularly add new Firehose features and data elements, with release notes published here. Have an idea? We always welcome product feedback and ideas.