Customer Reviews (500)

CodyFlys81 • 2025-02-28T06:48:26-07:00

Most questions are answered quickly through FAQs but in the rare cases where additional support is needed the ForeFlight support team is ALWAYS quick to respond and provide the needed information and assistance!

WahidForeFlight • 2025-02-19T16:13:29-07:00

I had a great experience in person with ForeFlight support Trevor. He was not only great at explaining but very patient and professional.

Mgivehchi • 2025-02-14T05:24:41-07:00

Flying without ForeFlight is like sending messages via a Telex machine. The folks at ForeFlight have made Avaition extremely safe and efficient for single pilots. 🙏🏼

Summary of Key Insights

ForeFlight Mobile EFB is a highly-regarded app considered essential by many pilots for flight planning, navigation, and in-flight situational awareness. Users consistently praise its comprehensive features, ease of use, and excellent customer support. However, there are recurring pain points, particularly regarding pricing, radar depiction quality, Apple Watch integration, and occasional performance issues. The overall sentiment is positive, as reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews, but addressing the identified weaknesses could further enhance user satisfaction and attract a wider user base. The review data suggests a strong core product with opportunities for improvement in specific areas to address user concerns and remain competitive.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: High (based on review distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 67.2% (336/500)
  • 4-Star Reviews: 5.8% (29/500)
  • 3-Star Reviews: 8.4% (42/500)
  • 2-Star Reviews: 6.6% (33/500)
  • 1-Star Reviews: 12% (60/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: The reviews appear to span a considerable period, likely several years, based on references to different versions and features.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manually assessed based on review content.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identified frequent keywords and phrases related to features, issues, and sentiments.
    • Thematic Analysis: Grouped recurring issues and feature requests into broader themes.

Key User Pain Points

  • Pricing: Many users find the subscription costs, especially for higher tiers and add-ons (e.g., Jeppesen charts), to be too expensive, particularly for general aviation (GA) pilots or those in training. Some feel priced out of features that should be included in lower tiers. This is the most frequently mentioned negative aspect.
  • Radar Quality: A significant number of users complain about the degradation of radar depiction quality in recent updates, citing pixelation, inaccurate weather representation, and the removal of features like lowest tilt. The change is perceived as a step backward.
  • Apple Watch Integration: The removal or lack of a fully functional Apple Watch app is a recurring disappointment. Users desire features like METARs, timers, and flight stats on their Apple Watch.
  • Performance Issues: Some users report crashes, freezes, and slowdowns, especially after updates or when using specific features like the search function or weight and balance. Older devices are more susceptible.
  • Customer Service (Inconsistencies): While many users praise ForeFlight's customer support, some report negative experiences, including slow response times, unhelpful answers, and a lack of phone support. This inconsistency contrasts sharply with the overwhelmingly positive support feedback.
  • Bugs: Various bugs are mentioned, such as bookmark shifting, weather tabs freezing, time changes during flight plan filing, inability to delete flight plans, and problems with in-app purchases.
  • Lack of Android Support: Some users are frustrated by the app's exclusive availability on Apple devices.
  • New Briefing Format: Some users dislike the new "compact" briefing format, finding it inadequate and missing important NOTAMs and weather information.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Apple Watch App Enhancements/Reinstatement: A fully functional Apple Watch app with weather information, timers, and flight stats.
  • Android Version: Availability of the app on Android devices.
  • More Flexible Logbook: Improved logbook features, including the ability to link multiple log entries, customize landing counts, and easily correct errors.
  • Multiple Alternates: The ability to add multiple alternate airports to flight plans.
  • Google Maps Integration: Option to use Google Maps for finding FBOs and airport services.
  • Widget Support: Home screen and lock screen widgets for weather information and other key data.
  • Export Flight Plans: Easier export of flight plans in Garmin .FPL format for use with G1000 systems and other simulators.
  • Edit Shared Flight Plans: The ability for multiple crew members to edit shared flight plans and attachments.
  • Background Downloads: Ability to download data in the background.
  • Personal Minimums: A way to enter and track personal minimums, similar to Garmin Pilot.
  • Multiple Airports along the Route during Weather Briefing: Add multiple airports along the route during the weather briefing.
  • Add Degree Arc Indication to Map: Add a degree arc indication to the map.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Features: Users appreciate the wide range of features for flight planning, navigation, weather, and logbook management.
  • Ease of Use: The app is generally considered intuitive and user-friendly.
  • Excellent Customer Support (Generally): Many users rave about the quick, helpful, and knowledgeable customer support team.
  • Reliability: The app is generally considered reliable for in-flight use.
  • Situational Awareness: ForeFlight significantly enhances situational awareness, especially when paired with ADS-B receivers.
  • Constant Improvement: Users appreciate the regular updates and new features.
  • Integration with Avionics: Seamless integration with various avionics systems.
  • Logbook: The logbook feature is praised for its convenience and syncing capabilities.
  • Must-have for Military Aviators.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Radar Quality Issues: Investigate and resolve the reported degradation of radar depiction quality. This is a critical safety concern.
  • Re-evaluate Pricing Structure: Consider offering more flexible subscription options and pricing tiers to better cater to GA pilots and student pilots.
  • Improve Apple Watch Integration: Develop and release a fully functional Apple Watch app with key features.
  • Investigate Performance Issues: Identify and fix the reported crashes, freezes, and slowdowns, especially on older devices.
  • Address Inconsistent Customer Service: Improve customer service response times and ensure consistent quality of support.

Medium Priority:

  • Implement Key Feature Requests: Prioritize the most frequently requested features, such as Android version, flexible logbook options, and export flight plans.
  • Fix Bugs: Address the reported bugs related to bookmark shifting, weather tabs, and other functionalities.
  • Optimize Weather Briefing: Re-evaluate and potentially revert changes to the briefing format based on user feedback.

Low Priority:

  • Google Maps Integration: Consider adding an option to use Google Maps for airport services.
  • Widget Support: Explore the feasibility of adding home screen and lock screen widgets.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Affordable Aviation EFB for Simulators: A lower-cost EFB app specifically designed for flight simulator enthusiasts.
  • Enhanced Apple Watch App for Pilots: A dedicated Apple Watch app that integrates deeply with ForeFlight or other EFBs, offering advanced features like timers, alerts, and real-time flight data.
  • AI-Powered Flight Planning Assistant: An AI-powered assistant that helps pilots optimize flight plans based on weather, aircraft performance, and personal preferences.
  • Cross-Platform EFB: Develop an EFB that works across both Apple and Android devices.
  • Logbook Printing Service: A service that offers pilots the ability to print their logbook in a vertical mode, not necessarily always in landscape.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment Over Time: Despite recent complaints, the overall sentiment towards ForeFlight remains positive, suggesting a strong foundation of user loyalty.
  • Impact of Updates: Updates, while often adding valuable features, can also introduce bugs or degrade existing functionality, leading to user frustration.
  • Pricing Sensitivity: Users are highly sensitive to pricing changes and perceived value for money.
  • Customer Service as a Differentiator: Excellent customer service is a key differentiator for ForeFlight.
  • Growing Complexity: As ForeFlight adds more features, it risks becoming too complex and overwhelming for some users.

Conclusion

ForeFlight Mobile EFB is a market-leading app with a strong reputation and a loyal user base. However, to maintain its position and attract new users, ForeFlight needs to address the identified pain points, particularly regarding pricing, radar quality, Apple Watch integration, and performance issues. By prioritizing these improvements and continuing to listen to user feedback, ForeFlight can further enhance its value proposition and solidify its position as the go-to EFB for pilots worldwide. A strong recommendation is to address the high priority actions immediately.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/foreflight-mobile-efb/id333252637?uo=2