What is Flightradar24

Flightradar24 MCP Server is a Claude Desktop integration that allows users to track flights in real-time using Flightradar24 data. It serves as a useful tool for aviation enthusiasts, travel planners, and anyone interested in monitoring flights overhead.

Use cases

Users can track specific flights in real-time, retrieve arrival and departure times, check the status of flights at an airport, and monitor emergency flights. It caters to a wide range of aviation interests, from casual observation to detailed travel planning.

How to use

After setting up the server and integrating it with Claude Desktop by modifying the configuration file, users can query the server with specific questions about flights. Commands like asking for the ETA of a flight or checking for emergency flights can be inputted naturally, similar to a conversation.

Key features

Key features include real-time flight tracking, retrieval of flight times, airport status checks, and emergency flight monitoring. It leverages the Flightradar24 API for accurate and timely data, enhancing the user experience with additional insights into aviation activities.

Where to use

This MCP server can be used on personal computers where Claude Desktop is installed. It is particularly beneficial for aviation enthusiasts at home, travel planners needing flight information, and individuals in emergency management looking for real-time updates on flights.

Flightradar24 MCP Server 🛩️

A Claude Desktop MCP server that helps you track flights in real-time using Flightradar24 data. Perfect for aviation enthusiasts, travel planners, or anyone curious about flights overhead!

What Can This Do? ✨

• 🔍 Track any flight in real-time
• ⏰ Get arrival and departure times for specific flights
• 🌉 View the status of flights at an airport
• 🚨 Monitor emergency flights

Setup Guide 🚀

1. Prerequisites

• Claude Desktop installed on your computer
• A Flightradar24 API key (get one from Flightradar24’s website)*

2. Installation

1. Clone this repository somewhere on your computer:

   git clone https://github.com/sunsetcoder/flightradar24-mcp-server.git
   

2. Install dependencies & build the project:

   cd flightradar24-mcp-server
   npm install
   npm run build
   

3. Integration with Claude Desktop

1. Open your Claude Desktop configuration file:

   # On Mac:
   ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
   
   # On Windows:
   %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
   

2. Add the following to the mcpServers object in your config:

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "flightradar24-server": {
         "command": "node",
         "args": [
           "/Users/<username>/<FULL_PATH...>/flightradar24-mcp-server/dist/index.js"
         ],
         "env": {
           "FR24_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here",
           "FR24_API_URL": "https://fr24api.flightradar24.com"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   

3. Important Steps:

   • Replace /FULL/PATH/TO/flightradar24-mcp-server with the actual full path to where you cloned the repository
   • Add your Flightradar24 API key in the env section
   • Make sure to use forward slashes (/) in the path, even on Windows

4. Restart Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect

Environment Setup

1. Copy .env.example to .env:

   cp .env.example .env
   

2. Update the .env file with your actual Flightradar24 API key:

   FR24_API_KEY=your_actual_api_key_here
   

Note: Never commit your actual API key to version control. The .env file is ignored by git for security reasons.

Let’s Try It Out! 🎮

Once the server is configured, you can ask Claude questions like:

1. “What’s the ETA for United Airlines flight UA123?”
2. “Show me all flights currently at SFO”
3. “Are there any emergency flights in the area?”
4. “Show me all international flights arriving at SFO in the next 2 hours”
5. “How many commercial flights are currently over the Pacific Ocean?”
6. “Identify any flights that have declared an emergency in the California region”

Example conversation with Claude:

You: What's the status of flight UA123?
Claude: Let me check that for you...
[Claude will use the MCP server to fetch real-time flight information]

Common Questions & Troubleshooting 🤔

“Claude can’t connect to the server”

• Check if the path in claude_desktop_config.json is correct
• Make sure you’re using the full absolute path
• Verify your API key is correct
• Try restarting Claude Desktop

“The server isn’t responding”

• Make sure your Flightradar24 API key is valid
• Check if the API URL is correct
• Look for any error messages in server logs

FlightRadar API Access

• Note: Using Flightradar24’s API requires a subscription

Need More Help? 🆘

1. Make sure Claude Desktop is properly installed
2. Verify your Flightradar24 API key is active
3. Check the path in your configuration file is correct
4. Look for error messages in MCP server logs

License 📄

MIT

Made with ❤️ for aviation enthusiasts