Each year, as Christmas Eve approaches, children and adults alike eagerly anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus, and technology offers them unique ways to track his flight around the globe. This year, fans of the flight tracking website Flightradar24 can join the excitement of monitoring Santa’s iconic sleigh as it ventures across the skies.
On December 24, Santa's sleigh, designated as flight number R3DN053 and humorously registered as HOHOHO, is currently cruising high above the Cook Strait at 60,000 feet, well outside the flight paths of commercial airlines, and reaching speeds of about 900 knots. This year, the fascination is evident, as over 60,000 users are actively tracking his movements, and this number is only expected to grow throughout the day.
Flightradar24 isn’t alone, though. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) also takes part in this festive tradition, providing its own Santa Tracker. This longstanding service, which began its Santa tracking efforts back in 1958, currently shows Santa traversing the Kuril Islands, just east of Japan. NORAD reminds everyone, “Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa, it might last days, weeks, or even months.”
Meanwhile, Google's Santa tracker complements the festivities as well by using Google Maps to track Santa’s progress. The tech giant’s platform states he has just delivered gifts to the Northern Mariana Islands and is now flinging presents down for all the good children there.
The discrepancies between these tracking platforms may stem from the whimsical idea of Santa functioning within his own special time-space continuum. The delightful variations are part of the holiday spirit, encouraging families to engage with the season. Whether through Flightradar24, NORAD, or Google, there are plenty of opportunities to check on the progress of Santa's worldwide gift-giving marathon.
So, which Santa tracker reigns supreme? Each tracking service has its own strengths:
- Best for Fun: Google’s Santa tracker is packed with games, activities, and various interactive experiences, making it the perfect choice for festive cheer and engagement.
- Best for Historical Significance: With its origins dating back to 1958, NORAD’s Santa Tracker is recognized as the longest-running Santa tracking service, embodying years of Christmas tradition.
- Best for Aviation Enthusiasts: Flightradar24 is well-loved within the aviation community, drawing fans who enjoy spotting unique aircraft, including Santa’s sleigh, on its platform.
This season, as families gather for Christmas Eve, tracking Santa has become not just about finding out when he might fly by but also about sharing joyous experiences together. The ability to follow Santa around the globe adds to the excitement of the holiday, giving parents the perfect opportunity to show their children when it’s time to go to bed and avoid spoiling the big day.
For those interested, you can track Santa live this Christmas Eve by visiting www.flightradar24.com. Give the little ones (and maybe yourselves) the chance to get involved and witness the magical world of Santa Claus as he rides through the night sky.
Whether you choose Flightradar24, NORAD, or Google’s tracking services, one thing’s for sure: the spirit of Christmas lives on, and anticipation fills the air as Santa makes his way to homes around the world.
