Learn About Flight Delays Early with FlightCaster

If you're like me, you typically learn that your flight is delayed while standing at the gate, waiting for the boarding call -- along with 200 other passengers who all need to rebook simultaneously. There's hope on the horizon, though: FlightCaster is a new site that can give you a six hour lead on delayed flights.

Just punch your in flight number and it'll tell you the likelihood that your domestic flight is going to leave on time, based on weather conditions, airport status, information about your assigned aircraft, and years of statistical data. According to the site, it works best within about 6 hours of your scheduled flight time, but you can get an estimate a full day ahead of time if you want.

According to FlightCaster, their predictions are accurate 85% of the time, which are probably good enough odds to start rebooking early if FlightCaster thinks your flight has little chance of leaving on time in 4 hours.

The Web-based service is free, but if you find FlightCaster indispensible, then you might be willing to pony up $10 for the Blackberry or iPhone versions of the site. And if you do a lot of international travel, then fear not: the site is expanding to include overseas flights soon, as well. [via The Wall Street Journal]