Originally Posted by
dgparent
Every week it seems my flight home is delayed from CLT-HTS just got a notification that it is delayed an hour, the incoming flight 4855 was awaiting takeoff in TRI - then boom delayed an hour, not weather related for sure at is is nice in both places. And that plane just went from CLT to TRI
If you are looking at today's flight, it appears that you were originally supposed to use the aircraft that flew CLT-TRI-CLT as AA4885, but that flight went mechanical in TRI with an estimated 4pm departure.
As a result, at 1pm ET, they swapped aircraft to use a plane that was due in from FAY at 1:25pm (AA4856).
You really need to use a variety of sources to determine this.
Flightstats.com gives a history of time changes and aircraft assignments / swaps.
Flightaware.com will tell you where an aircraft is at the current moment.
Expertflyer.com will give you a reason for the delay.