Gate crashers: the top 5 free airport navigation apps

Unfl-app-able: Use these recommended apps to save yourself time at the airport: Credit: joiseyshowaa.

By Mark Chesnut

No one likes to waste time in airports. Whether you’re desperately trying to find the shortest way to get to your next flight, or the best place to get “real” food, here are a few free apps that can help you better navigate the concourse on your next trip.

Airport Ace: Information about airport weather, delays,  WiFi availability, parking and transportation options are among the features on this app. It’s among the most attractive and user-friendly of the airport navigation apps, but the free version only allows access to six airports (the pro version costs $4.99).

FlySmart: Developed by the advertising company Clear Channel together with a company called Geodelic, FlySmart has information for about two dozen U.S. airports, with layover ideas and basic maps, although the app’s own navigation can be a bit confusing.
GateGuru: This app is among the most interesting, as it allows users to rate and comment on restaurants, shops and services (including WiFi reception), as well as submit wait time updates for security checkpoints. Something like an airport-focused Yelp, GateGuru involves travelers more directly than the other free apps.

iFly: The free version of iFly is easy to use, with GPS terminal navigation and information for more than 700 airports, as well as flight status for U.S. facilities and WiFi coverage info — but annoying advertising messages can be distracting. The pro version (which costs $6.99) also has a flight-tracking feature.

Orbitz Mobile: As you’re making your way through the endless maze of airports, the Orbitz mobile app can be an especially helpful app, with Care Alerts that provide real-time updates on gate changes, flight delays and other important information — including, of course, airline, hotel and rental car reservations.  You can even call an Orbitz agent with just one tap, 24/7.  Sometimes, after all, humans really are better than apps.

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Mark Chesnut is a travel writer, editor and publisher of LatinFlyer.com, which focuses on business and leisure travel to Latin America.