September 26, 2025, 7:00 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Apple’s iOS hides many features and hacks that many people aren’t aware of. A very practical trick is found in iMessage—it allows you to easily track a flight in the iPhone app. TECHBOOK reveals how it works.
What’s Behind the iMessage Flight Trick on the iPhone
To use this feature, simply send the flight number to yourself or another person. iMessage automatically recognizes it as a flight number. You can then click on it to check the status.
The information not only shows the route with departure and arrival airports on a small map, but also indicates whether the flight is on time, delayed, or canceled. Additionally, it displays departure and arrival times, flight duration, terminal, gate, and baggage claim.
TECHBOOK tested the trick on an iPhone and indeed, we received information about flights from Lufthansa, American Airlines, EasyJet UK, Scandinavian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.
However, the trick doesn’t work with all airlines. For example, we couldn’t get information for flights from Ryanair, Austrian Airlines, Aegean Airlines, Eurowings, and EasyJet Europe.
Also interesting: Simple Trick Improves Wi-Fi Signal on iPhone
iMessage Has More Tricks Up Its Sleeve
The trick with flight information on the iPhone is very practical. But iMessage also knows a few other code words that trigger various effects. Send the terms in a message, and you’ll see a little show:
- Pew pew: a laser show appears
- Happy Birthday: balloons float up
- Congratulations/Selamat: confetti rains down
- Happy New Year: fireworks explode on the screen
- Happy Chinese New Year: red fireworks cascade down
iMessage can do even more. For example, after typing a message, hold down the send button to see more options. Not only can you send the message in invisible ink or with force, but more animations are also available, such as hearts or dozens of chat bubbles.