If you're craving more speed, performance, and enhancements
We're thrilled to announce updates to Flightradar24 that boost performance, offer more detailed data, and open doors for future improvements in flight tracking.
Welcome, WebGL
The most significant change is our adoption of WebGL to render the Flightradar24 website. WebGL, a powerful graphics library, is commonly used in web apps for animations, and now it's bringing tens of thousands of moving aircraft icons to life. Most modern browsers support WebGL, ensuring a faster and smoother experience for most users.
Under the Hood: Optimizations
We've overhauled the site's rendering, resulting in a snappier experience. The base maps are now rendered in vector format, which reduces loading times and makes panning and zooming quicker. With vector maps, zoom levels are a thing of the past; you now have complete control over the level of detail.
Additionally, icons and flight paths are rendered in WebGL, allowing us to display aircraft trails with increased granularity, showcasing each data point clearly. You'll also notice adjustments to icon sizes via a slider, catering to your preferred aesthetic.
More Data, Faster
We've introduced an updated flight data stream across all platforms (web, iOS, and Android). Real-time data, such as aircraft position, altitude, speed, wind, and temperature, is now updated approximately every 2-3 seconds, compared to the previous 8-second interval.
Addressing Compatibility
Most Flightradar24 users will enjoy immediate benefits from the WebGL transition. However, some users with older hardware or unsupported browsers may experience performance issues or receive error messages.
Troubleshooting:
- Ensure WebGL is enabled. You can check and enable it by visiting
chrome://flagsand searching for "Override software rendering list." - Update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.
Remember to refer to the provided links for detailed instructions on enabling WebGL and overcoming any compatibility challenges.