M
API Matrix

ADS-B Exchange API

⭐ Beginner's Pick Transportation / No Auth Required Beginner HTTPS
Free to Use Varies (check documentation)
54 Score
Grade D
Visit Official Site Compare Alternatives

Overview

ADS-B Exchange is a community-driven API that provides real-time and historical position data for aircraft around the world. Unlike commercial providers it does not filter out military or sensitive flights, making it popular with aviation enthusiasts and researchers. No API key is required for basic access, so you can start querying aircraft data immediately.

💡

Beginner Tip

Use an ICAO hex code or a geographic bounding box to narrow results; querying the entire feed at once can return thousands of aircraft and slow your app. Check the ADS-B Exchange docs for the correct endpoint version as v2 endpoints differ from legacy ones.

Available Data

ADS-B Exchange data via REST API
JSON-formatted response data
Freely accessible without authentication

Example Response

JSON Response 
{
  "route": "Line 1",
  "origin": "Station A",
  "destination": "Station B",
  "departure": "08:30",
  "arrival": "09:15",
  "status": "On Time",
  "delays_min": 0
}

Field Reference

icao The 6-character ICAO 24-bit transponder address uniquely identifying the aircraft.
call Flight callsign as broadcast by the aircraft transponder.
lat Latitude of the aircraft in decimal degrees.
lon Longitude of the aircraft in decimal degrees.
alt_baro Barometric altitude in feet above sea level.
spd Ground speed of the aircraft in knots.

Implementation Example 

const url = "https://www.adsbexchange.com/data/";
const response = await fetch(url);
if (!response.ok) throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status}`);
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data);

What Can You Build?

Note: These code examples are AI-generated and unverified. Always refer to the official API documentation for accurate usage.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting

403 Forbidden RapidAPI key required for the commercial endpoint.
✓ Register for a RapidAPI key and include it in the X-RapidAPI-Key header, or use the community endpoint which has no key requirement.
Empty aircraft array No aircraft are within the specified radius or the coordinates are incorrect.
✓ Verify your lat/lon values and increase the search radius; use a busy airport area for testing.
Stale data ADS-B positions are updated every few seconds and heavy load can delay the feed.
✓ Check the now field in the response for the server timestamp and poll at 5-10 second intervals rather than faster.

Matrix Score Breakdown

🌐 Reachability 15/30
⚡ Speed 2/20
🔒 Security 15/15
🛠 Developer XP 15/20
✓ Reliability 7/15
Response Time 5117ms

Fully tested on Apr 5, 2026

Technical Specifications

Auth No Auth
HTTPS REQUIRED
CORS UNKNOWN
Category Transportation
Difficulty Beginner
Verified: 2026-04-04

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