Display Shows Demo Data Instead of Real Flights

If your LobbyFlight display shows demo data or mock flights instead of real flight information, follow these steps to fix it.

Symptoms

Display shows flights, but they are not real

Same flights every day

Flight numbers look fake (e.g., "LF001", "TEST123")

"Demo Mode" or "Sample Data" indicator visible

Airlines don't match the actual airport

What is Demo Data?

Demo data is placeholder flight information that is shown:

During evaluation before subscription

When API connection fails

When configuration is incomplete

In development/testing environments

How to Recognize Demo Data

Flight numbers	Generic (LF001, XX123)	Real (OS 451, LH 1234)
Feature	Demo Data	Real Data
---------	-----------	-----------
Airlines	Often fictional	Real airlines
Schedule	Same every day	Changes constantly
Status	Always "On Time"	Delays, cancellations
Update	Never changes	Every 5 minutes

Cause 1: No Active Subscription

Check

Go to Subscription

Check status

Subscription Status

Active	Real flights
Status	Display Shows
--------	---------------
Trial	Real flights (time-limited)
Expired	Demo data
Cancelled	Demo data
Payment failed	Demo data

Solution

If subscription is expired:

Subscription → Renew

Complete payment

Real data immediately after payment

If payment failed:

Subscription → Payment Methods

Update payment info

Retry payment

Cause 2: Display URL in Demo Mode

Check

Look at your display URL:

Demo URL:
https://lobbyflight.com/demo
https://lobbyflight.com/display/demo

Production URL:
https://lobbyflight.com/display/[your-hotel-id]

Solution

Go to Preview → Display URL

Copy the correct URL

Use this URL on your display

Cause 3: Configuration Incomplete

Check

In Hotel Portal → Settings:

[ ] Hotel name set?

[ ] Airport selected?

[ ] Display enabled?

Solution

Complete all required settings:

Set hotel name

Select at least one airport

Save settings

Reload display

Cause 4: API Key Problems (Technical)

For Self-Hosting Only

If you're running your own instance:

Check environment variables:
- AVIATIONSTACK_API_KEY
- POSTGRES_URL
- Other required variables

If API key is missing or invalid:

System falls back to demo data

Set correct API key

Restart server

Cause 5: Network Blocking Flight API

Symptoms

Display works (loads page)

But shows demo data instead of real flights

Console shows API errors

Check

F12 → Network tab → Filter "flight" or "api"
Are there failed requests (red)?

Solution

Firewall/Network:

Allow access to:
- api.aviationstack.com (Port 443)
- lobbyflight.com (Port 443)

How to Force Real Data

Step-by-Step

Step 1: Verify subscription is active

Portal → Subscription → Status: Active

Step 2: Use correct URL

Portal → Preview → Copy "Display URL"

Step 3: Verify airport is configured

Portal → Settings → Airports → At least one selected

Step 4: Clear browser cache

Ctrl+Shift+Delete → Clear all data

Step 5: Hard refresh

Ctrl+Shift+R

Check If Data Is Real

Method 1: Compare with Airport Website

Open your airport's official website

Check departures/arrivals

Compare with LobbyFlight display

Flight numbers should match

Method 2: Check Update Time

Real data: "Last Updated" changes every few minutes

Demo data: Timestamp never changes or is missing

Method 3: Check Console

F12 → Console
Look for:
- "Using real flight data" → Good
- "Demo mode active" → Problem
- "API fallback to mock data" → Problem

Still Demo Data?

Checklist

[ ] Subscription active and paid

[ ] Correct display URL (not /demo)

[ ] Airport configured

[ ] Internet connection working

[ ] No firewall blocking API

[ ] Cache cleared

Contact Support

If still not working:

Screenshot of subscription page

Screenshot of display URL

Console output

Network tab showing API requests

Related Articles:

What Happens When Payment Fails

Upgrade or Downgrade Plan

Display Not Loading or Configuration Error

Display Shows Demo Data Instead of Real Flights