OpenSky Network

API

Free real-time ADS-B aviation data API

Overview

The OpenSky Network API provides free real-time and historical ADS-B aviation data via RESTful endpoints. Key endpoints include /states (live aircraft positions, velocities, and flight details), /flights/arrival/departure (scheduled/actual flight times for airports), /aircraft (registration and model info), and /airports (metadata). Responses are in JSON format. Use cases include building flight tracking apps, aviation analytics, research projects, hobbyist dashboards, and integrating real-time flight data into travel platforms. It supports unauthenticated access (basic limits) and authenticated access (higher rate limits for advanced users).

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://opensky-network.org/apidoc/index.html')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON Responses
Real-time ADS-B Data
Historical Data Access
No Auth for Basic Use
Multiple Endpoints

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is OpenSky Network API free to use?

Yes, it offers free access for both unauthenticated (basic rate limits) and authenticated (higher limits) users without subscription fees.

? Does it require an API Key?

No, unauthenticated access is allowed, but an API key (available via registration) unlocks higher rate limits and additional features.

? What is the response format?

All API responses are in JSON format, which is easy to parse and integrate into applications.

Top Alternatives

FlightAware API Search Google

AviationStack API Search Google

ADS-B Exchange API Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Transportation

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free to use
⊕ Rich real-time/historical data
⊕ Easy integration
⊕ Community-driven data collection

Cons

⊖ Rate-limited for unauthenticated users
⊖ No SLA
⊖ Some regional data gaps
⊖ Historical data constraints