Frequently Asked Questions

What is aviationstack?

The aviationstack API was built to offer a simple and cost-effective way of accessing global flight tracking data in real-time. More than 5,000 companies worldwide are using aviationstack to power booking platforms, map visualizations and flight tracking applications.

Who runs the API?

aviationstack is a product built and maintained by apilayer, a software company based in London, United Kingdom and Vienna, Austria. apilayer is the company behind popular API and SaaS products worldwide, including weatherstack, invoicely and eversign.

Does the Aviationstack API support real-time flight status tracking worldwide?

Yes, the Aviationstack API provides real-time flight status tracking for flights globally. You can use the flights endpoint to access up-to-the-minute data.

What programming languages are supported for connecting to the Aviationstack API?

Since the Aviationstack API is a standard RESTful service, it can be integrated with any programming language that can handle HTTP requests. The documentation provides specific code examples and integration guides for PHP, Python, Node.js, jQuery, Go, and Ruby to help developers get started quickly.

Can I monitor multiple flights simultaneously using the Aviationstack API?

Yes, you can monitor multiple flights simultaneously. The API is designed to handle queries for various parameters, allowing you to build applications that track and display multiple flights at once.

How can developers use the Aviationstack API for building a flight delay notification system?

Developers can build a flight delay notification system by polling the Aviationstack API for flight status updates. By caching initial flight data and then checking for changes (e.g., to flight status or gate information). Here is a step-by-step tutorial blog and video.

Is the Aviationstack API suitable for commercial and enterprise-scale applications?

Yes, Aviationstack is suitable for commercial and enterprise-scale applications. The API is designed to provide global aviation data for a wide range of uses, from personal projects to large-scale platforms.

How scalable is this API?

The aviationstack API is built on top of powerful, auto-scaling apilayer cloud infrastructure, making it capable of handling anything from a few thousands requests per month all the way to millions of calls per hour. This efficient setup allows for consistently quick API response times even during times of high throughput.

How real-time is aviationstack data?

Status updates of global, real-time flights are delayed by as little as 30-60 seconds. This low delay and high frequency of data updates is made possible by a real-time data integration with one of the most sophisticated aviation data vendors on the market.

Which type of historical flight data is available?

Our system provides global flight data for the last 3 months as a sliding window, enabling the aviationstack API to deliver granular historical flight data, including information about routes, flight numbers, location, dates, times, airports, terminals, gates, aircraft, and much more. You can learn more by reading our API documentation.

How can I integrate the Aviationstack API into my existing flight booking or travel platform?

The Aviationstack API is a standard REST API that returns data in a lightweight JSON format, which makes it easy to integrate into any application. The documentation provides integration guides and code examples in multiple programming languages, including PHP, Python, Node.js, and Ruby.

Can I use Aviationstack API to fetch historical flight data for analytics?

Yes, the API supports historical flight data. By using the flights endpoint with the flight_date parameter, you can retrieve flight data from the last three months.

How accurate and up-to-date is the real-time data provided by the Aviationstack API?

The data is considered highly accurate and up-to-date, as the API provides real-time flight status information to help users track flights as they happen.

Does the Aviationstack API offer airport and airline database information?

Yes, the Aviationstack API provides extensive database information. API responses include detailed data on departure and arrival airports (names, IATA/ICAO codes) and airline information.

What is the difference between free and paid subscriptions?

The aviationstack Free Plan offers a way to implement the API in your application and try it out using real-time flight data.

As soon as your use of the API requires a commercial license and a more advanced set of functionalities, such as historical data or airline routes, you can choose from one of the available paid subscriptions or contact us for a custom solution.

Which subscription plan fits my needs?

The most decisive factor when it comes to your technical requirements is the number of API requests you need to make on a monthly basis. Other factors include license type, HTTPS encryption, access to airline routes, autocomplete features, historical data, and more.

Signing up for the Free Plan is a great way of getting to know the API and implementing it without any commitments.

Which payment methods are supported?

Payments can be made via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diner's Club, American Express). Enterprise and high-volume customers may request annual bank transfer payments to be enabled. You can change your payment method at any given time in the "Payment" section of your account dashboard.

Can I also pay yearly?

Yes. If you choose annual billing, the total price of your subscription plan will be up to 15% lower than the total amount you would pay with a monthly payment frequency.

How do I cancel/downgrade?

You can initiate a cancellation or downgrade by selecting a new plan and providing at least one reason for your decision. The customer service team will cancel or downgrade your plan. Downgrades are not effective immediately; your premium subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.

How do I change between monthly and yearly billing?

To change your subscription from monthly to yearly billing, submit a request on the Contact Us page on the website following these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to your account

Step 2: Go to Contact Us page

Step 3: Fill out the form and choose the “Sales” category for this request.

Step 4: In the text box, include your specific request for example “Change from Monthly to Yearly subscription.”

What is an API Request?

Pricing is based on the number of monthly API requests allowed. Each time the aviationstack service is used to deliver aviation data, one API request is made. In the event that an error should occur, your request does not count towards the monthly volume.

What happens if I exceed my API Request volume?

Users will be automatically notified via email and in their Account Dashboard when they reach 75%, 90%, and 100% of their monthly API quota. Once 100% is reached, overage fees will apply to ensure uninterrupted service, keeping your website or application running smoothly. You can learn more about overage billing here.

What is the API's uptime?

Our API's system status is closely monitored around the clock. Every effort is made to ensure the highest possible level of availability and consistency, and we are proud to have an average uptime rate of nearly 100% (99.9%), calculated based on the past 12 months.

There is a public API status page available at the following URL: status.aviationstack.com.

Does the API provide departure and arrival terminal/gate information?

Yes, the API responses include detailed information on both departure and arrival, including the terminal and gate numbers.

How can I filter Aviationstack API responses to reduce unnecessary data load?

You can filter API responses by using various query parameters such as flight_status, flight_date, dep_iata, arr_iata, and flight_number. This allows you to request only the specific data you need, optimizing data transfer.

Does Aviationstack API include geolocation data for live aircraft positions?

Yes, the API provides live geolocation data. API responses for real-time flights include latitude and longitude, as well as altitude and speed, allowing you to display the live position of an aircraft.

Can I integrate Aviationstack API with mapping tools like Google Maps or Leaflet?

Yes, the API can be integrated with mapping tools. Because the API provides live geolocation data (latitude and longitude), you can easily use this information to display flight paths and aircraft positions on a map using services like Google Maps or Leaflet.

What security measures are in place for accessing Aviationstack API?

Aviationstack ensures secure data access by supporting 256-bit HTTPS (SSL) encryption for all connections. This is a standard security measure that protects the data exchanged between your application and the API.

What is included in Platinum Support?

Platinum Support includes dedicated account management, priority bug fixes, and access to exclusive support resources. It ensures you receive top-tier assistance for any issues you encounter, helping you maintain and optimize your system performance.

How much does Platinum Support cost?

The cost of Platinum Support varies depending on your subscription plan:
- Standard Plan: $479.88 billed annually
- Professional Plan: $599.88 billed annually
- Professional Plus Plan: $719.88 billed annually
- Enterprise Plan: Custom pricing billed annually

How do I select Platinum Support when purchasing a plan?

When you select a pricing plan, the Platinum Support option is automatically checked. You will see a checkbox next to “Include Platinum Support” with the corresponding annual price. You can uncheck this box if you do not wish to include Platinum Support.

How does Platinum Support appear on my invoice?

When you select Platinum Support, your invoice will display “Selected: [Your Plan] + Platinum Support.” The total amount charged will include the cost of your chosen plan and the annual fee for Platinum Support. For example, if you select the Professional Plan, your invoice will read “$59.99/month + $599.88/year for Platinum Support.”

Can existing customers upgrade to include Platinum Support?

Yes, existing customers can upgrade their plans to include Platinum Support. The option will be automatically checked when viewing available plans, showing the respective annual fee for Platinum Support. You can select or unselect this option as needed.

How is the billing period for Platinum Support handled?

The billing period for Platinum Support is annual. When you purchase Platinum Support, the renewal date will be one year from the purchase date. Your invoice will show the purchase date, renewal date, and the total annual amount for Platinum Support.

Can I opt out of Platinum Support during the purchase process?

Yes, Platinum Support is an optional service, you can uncheck the Platinum Support box during the purchase process if you prefer not to include it.

Can I switch back to standard support after upgrading to Platinum Support?

Yes, you can switch back to standard support at any time. However, the change will take effect at the start of your next billing cycle. Contact our support team to adjust your plan.