# Planefinder Search Scraper (`romy/planefinder-search-scraper`) Actor Planefinder Search Scraper searches Planefinder's mobile API by free-text query and returns matching flights, callsigns, airlines, airports, and aircraft. Each query can return multiple result types (e.g. a historic flight match and an airline match for the same term) - **URL**: https://apify.com/romy/planefinder-search-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [Romy](https://apify.com/romy) (community) - **Categories:** Travel, Developer tools, Automation - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 0.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $30.00 / 1,000 results This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ### What does Planefinder Search Scraper do? **Planefinder Search Scraper** searches [Planefinder's](https://planefinder.net) mobile API by free-text query and returns matching flights, callsigns, airlines, airports, and aircraft. Each query can return multiple result types (e.g. a historic flight match and an airline match for the same term) — useful for resolving human-entered text into structured identifiers before feeding them into other tools. Results are pushed directly to an Apify dataset. Use Apify's scheduling and integrations to automate lookups at any cadence. ### Why use Planefinder Search Scraper? - **Identifier resolution** — turn a free-text query (airline name, partial callsign, airport name) into structured flight/callsign/airline data. - **Autocomplete-style discovery** — explore what Planefinder actually indexes for a given search term before building a more targeted scrape. - **Data pipelines** — feed resolved `callsign`/`flight_number`/`airline_code` values into the Planefinder Flight Scraper or Airport Scraper. ### How to use Planefinder Search Scraper 1. Open the Actor and click **Try for free**. 2. In the **Input** tab, enter one or more search queries. 3. Click **Start** and wait for the run to finish. 4. Download results from the **Output** tab in JSON, CSV, or Excel format. ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |-------|------|-------------| | `queries` | array | Free-text search terms, e.g. `["garuda", "CGK", "GA401"]` | | `max_results` | integer | Max results kept per query (default `25`, max `200`). Caps cost on broad queries. | ```json { "queries": ["garuda"], "max_results": 25 } ```` ### Output Each item represents one search result for one query. The fields present depend on the result `type` (Planefinder does not document a fixed schema per type). ```json { "query": "garuda", "score": 1, "type": "historicFlight", "callsign": "GARUDA", "firstSeen": 1772077200, "lastSeen": 1772079060, "flightId": "5-54350130", "airlineCode": "_IF" } ``` Search also matches other entity types, e.g. `type: "airport"`: ```json { "query": "CGK", "score": 2, "type": "airport", "name": "Soekarno Hatta Intl", "city": "Jakarta", "country": "Indonesia", "iata": "CGK", "icao": "WIII", "lat": -6.12557, "lon": 106.656 } ``` ### Data table | Field | Description | |-------|-------------| | `query` | The search term used for this result | | `score` | Match relevance score (higher = better match) | | `type` | Result type as returned by Planefinder (e.g. `historicFlight`, `airport`) | | `callsign` | ATC callsign, if `type` is a flight-related result | | `airlineCode` | ICAO/internal airline code, if applicable | | `firstSeen` / `lastSeen` | Unix timestamps bounding when this entry was observed, if applicable | Other fields (`name`, `iata`, `icao`, `city`, `lat`, `lon`, ...) appear when `type` is `airport` or another entity type — all fields returned by Planefinder are included as-is. ### Tips - Run multiple queries in one job — each result includes a `query` field so you can trace which input produced it. - Combine with the Planefinder Flight Scraper: resolve a query to a `callsign`, then look up its full timeline. - Lower `max_results` if you only need the top matches — results are already ranked by `score`. ### Pricing This Actor uses the **Pay Per Event** model: **$0.03 per result** in the dataset (plus a negligible one-time actor-start fee). Results are capped by `max_results` (default `25`) so a single broad query costs at most ~$0.75 by default — raise the cap if you need the full result set. ### FAQ and support This Actor uses Planefinder's public mobile API for informational purposes only. Do not use the data for commercial redistribution without verifying Planefinder's terms of service. For bugs or feature requests, open an issue on the Actor's Issues tab. Custom scraping solutions are available on request. # Actor input Schema ## `queries` (type: `array`): Free-text search terms (flight number, callsign, airline, airport name/code, aircraft registration) e.g. \["garuda", "CGK", "GA401"] ## `max_results` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of results to keep per query. Broad queries (e.g. a 3-letter airport code) can match 100+ entries — this caps cost per query. Set higher if you need the full result set. ## Actor input object example ```json { "queries": [], "max_results": 25 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): No description # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = {}; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("romy/planefinder-search-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = {} # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("romy/planefinder-search-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{}' | apify call romy/planefinder-search-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=romy/planefinder-search-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Planefinder Search Scraper", "description": "Planefinder Search Scraper searches Planefinder's mobile API by free-text query and returns matching flights, callsigns, airlines, airports, and aircraft. Each query can return multiple result types (e.g. a historic flight match and an airline match for the same term)", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "F5qhfGQodiTZqjiYV" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/romy~planefinder-search-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-romy-planefinder-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/romy~planefinder-search-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-romy-planefinder-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/romy~planefinder-search-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-romy-planefinder-search-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "queries" ], "properties": { "queries": { "title": "Search Queries", "type": "array", "description": "Free-text search terms (flight number, callsign, airline, airport name/code, aircraft registration) e.g. [\"garuda\", \"CGK\", \"GA401\"]", "default": [], "items": { "type": "string" } }, "max_results": { "title": "Max Results Per Query", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 200, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of results to keep per query. Broad queries (e.g. a 3-letter airport code) can match 100+ entries — this caps cost per query. Set higher if you need the full result set.", "default": 25 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```