Flight tracking data - How do they get it so wrong?
Discussion
OK so quick story. I was picking someone up from LAX airport last night. As I normally do, I do a quick google of the flight number before setting off, to check it isn't delayed etc...
This time Google tells me it is 5 hours delayed... balls.
But then I decide to check the airline (Virgin Atlantic) website and it is on time.
Check LAX website for arrivals... 5 hours delayed.
Check Flight Tracker... 5 hours delayed
Check Flight Aware... on time
Call Virgin Atlantic... guy says 'oh yeah 5 hours late'. I asked him to confirm as the website said on time... he comes back and says 'oh yeah its on time'.
I could understand a few minutes either way... but 5 hours! So many people rely on just checking one source, I could imagine a slew of people hadn't even left homes yet to pick up people.
Any thoughts? I am a complete novice when it comes to airlines, planes, tracking and data for these things... so no doubt an easy explanation.
This time Google tells me it is 5 hours delayed... balls.
But then I decide to check the airline (Virgin Atlantic) website and it is on time.
Check LAX website for arrivals... 5 hours delayed.
Check Flight Tracker... 5 hours delayed
Check Flight Aware... on time
Call Virgin Atlantic... guy says 'oh yeah 5 hours late'. I asked him to confirm as the website said on time... he comes back and says 'oh yeah its on time'.
I could understand a few minutes either way... but 5 hours! So many people rely on just checking one source, I could imagine a slew of people hadn't even left homes yet to pick up people.
Any thoughts? I am a complete novice when it comes to airlines, planes, tracking and data for these things... so no doubt an easy explanation.
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