A representation of air traffic patterns across the world during a typical 24 hours span using data from delay predictor FlightStats.
It seems as though most flights flow from the US to Europe, then back again. FlightStats is a great way to predict potential delays in advance. If you’re traveling in the US, you can use the the FAA status map or Google hack to find out about current delays and find out how long you’ll be waiting in security lines from the TSA.
[via: Upgrade: Travel Better]
Traveling during holiday season sucks!
it’s the worst time ever to try to get in a plane, especially one that goes to or has a conexion in a busy airport!
I was expecting my mother to spend the xmas with us; she was scheduled to depart the DCA aiport at 8:45 am on the 24th, got there at 7am, and went back home after losing 5 flights…you know, stand by ticktes,…so the next day, she went back to the airport, same time, and only flew out by 5pm in a flight that stopped in CLT and finally got on her final destination at 9pm on the 25th!
needless to say that xmas sucked and I’m still trying to digest my late christmas dinner!!!
@ Keka:
I’m sorry to hear that – you almost missed xmas completely!
I had similar problems, trouble with the airlines, missed flights, delays…at least my luggage wasn’t lost!
They should do the little chart above on a holiday, I bet those little yellow dots won’t be going anywhere!!
Wow. Interesting. I’ve never seen a chart like that before.
@ Erica:
It’s a very interesting chart. Amazing to see how many flights there are across the Atlantic from the US/Europe.
Fantastic illustration, I wonder how they could simulate it! 🙂
@ Final:
I’m not sure how they pulled the data, FlightStats must make all of its data available online. Then some programming major to import the data to create the map…
FlightStats should consider maintaining a map like this one, and color-differentiating flights by their status. Green for on-time, yellow for delay, and red for super late!