Follow Gravity and Rackham in the sky... in real time!

In the digital age, tracking an aircraft in flight is no longer reserved for air traffic control specialists. Thanks to tools such as Flightradar24, anyone can now observe global traffic in real time and locate a specific aircraft.

These apps turn any smartphone, tablet or computer into an interactive radar system.

With just a few clicks, a map of the world appears, dotted with thousands of moving aircraft, each accompanied by key data: flight number, airline, aircraft type, GPS position, etc.

This accuracy is based on ADS-B data, an automatic information transmission system used by most commercial aircraft.

Among the aircraft that can be tracked are two Brussels Airlines Airbus A320’s which will be of particular interest to fans of the young reporter. They are Gravity and Rackham.

This aircraft features livery inspired by Tintin's lunar adventures. Its spectacular decoration shows Tintin, Snowy and Captain Haddock floating weightlessly around the Moon. It was inaugurated on 12th February, and joins the Belgian Icons collection, a series of aircraft celebrating Belgian culture around the world and in the skies.

The company's first Tintin aircraft, the Rackham, was unveiled in 2015. With its livery inspired by the famous shark submarine designed by Professor Calculus in Red Rackham's Treasure, it quickly became a favourite amongst spotters (enthusiasts who observe and photograph aircraft).

It couldn't be easier!

1. Open the Flightradar24 app or website.

2. In the search bar, enter the registration number or name of the aircraft (OO-SNJ for Gravity and OO-SNB for Rackham).

3. The tool will instantly display the aircraft's position, trajectory, altitude, speed and flight plan.

You'll be able to see Gravity and Rackham take off from Brussels, fly across Europe and land on the other side of the world, as if you were there in person.