Owais Crawford
Flying standby is a great option for those with flexible travel plans and a lower budget. While the definition of flying standby has changed in recent years, it still allows passengers with pre-purchased tickets to make same-day changes to their travel plans if seats are available. Standby flights are typically requested at the airport, through an airline's website or app, or via a customer service agent. While standby flights were once a way to purchase heavily discounted last-minute tickets, today, most airlines charge a standby fee, which varies from flight to flight and airline to airline. This has led to standby travel being a less attractive option for new travellers. So, can you fly standby out of a different airport?
Can you fly standby out of a different airport?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Same-day standby | Available on an earlier flight via an app, mobile web, or customer service agent at the airport |
| Same-day change | Available for an earlier or later flight on the day of travel, as long as the origin and destination airports are the same |
| Same-day confirmed change | Available for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on Delta and Delta Connection® flights |
| Standby fees | Typically range from $25 to $100, with a $75 same-day change fee |
| Eligibility | Depends on the destination and the type of ticket purchased; some airlines offer free same-day standby for passengers with pre-purchased tickets |
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What You'll Learn
Same-day standby availability
American Airlines
American Airlines offers complimentary standby availability within and between the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United States. To request a same-day change, passengers can use the airline's website or mobile app 24 hours before departure. Additionally, they can approach a team member at the ticket counter or gate at the airport at least 45 minutes before departure. Same-day confirmed changes allow passengers to select their seats after choosing their new flight.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines provides same-day standby options through its customer service agents at the airport or via its mobile app or website. This service is free for Choice Extra, Choice Preferred, or Choice fares. Basic fares and Rapid Rewards® A-List Preferred and A-List Members are generally not eligible for free standby and must purchase a qualifying fare. To be added to the standby list, passengers must make the request at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure, and their names must be listed 30 minutes ahead of time.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines offers a Same-Day Standby option for travel within the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This service is not available for international flights or for flights involving origin and/or destination changes. Passengers with Delta Main tickets can only be confirmed for seats in Delta Main and not in premium cabins. However, those with premium product tickets like Delta One® or Delta Premium Select can make Same-Day Confirmed changes to a seat in the purchased cabin or a lower one.
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$9.12
Standby fees
Other airlines, like Alaska Air, charge a fee for standby on most routes, with a few exceptions where it is offered for free. Frontier Airlines charges a $99 fee for standby, unless you are a member of their Frontier Elite program. JetBlue also offers free standby on certain routes, but it is not available on every route, and there is no fee if you contact them before your original departure time.
It is important to note that standby availability is not guaranteed, as airlines aim to fill every seat. Passengers should check with their specific airline to confirm the availability and cost of standby options, as prices can change without notice.
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Same-day confirmed changes
American Airlines allows customers to make same-day confirmed changes on select flights for a fee, with some exceptions. Standby is also available for no charge. Only AAdvantage® status members can stand by for a later flight, while anyone can stand by for an earlier flight. Both options are subject to availability.
Alaska Airlines offers a same-day confirmed flight change for a fee of $25 or $50, depending on the route. This option is available for tickets purchased before May 25, 2025, with tickets purchased after this date incurring a higher fee.
Southwest Airlines offers a same-day change option, allowing passengers to switch to another flight free of charge, as long as there is an open seat and the origin and destination airports remain the same. Basic fares are not eligible for this option unless the member purchases a qualifying fare.
Delta Air Lines offers a Same-Day Confirmed option for travel within the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This option is not available for international flights. It is complimentary for Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion Members, as well as Extra and refundable tickets.
It is important to note that same-day confirmed changes are subject to availability, and passengers may need to wait for a seat on an earlier flight if their preferred option is not available. Additionally, some airlines may have restrictions on changing the origin or destination airports, number of flight segments, or connection cities.
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International flights
Standby flights are a great option for people with flexible travel schedules and lower budgets. In the past, standby flying was a way to save money on plane tickets. Travelers could show up at the airport and buy heavily discounted last-minute tickets to their destination. However, the definition of flying standby has changed in recent times. Increased security measures and airline seating algorithms have reduced the availability of standby seats. Today, flying standby allows passengers who have pre-purchased tickets to make same-day changes to their travel plans if seats are available on their desired flights.
For international flights, same-day confirmed changes start at $60 for flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, and the Caribbean. For flights between New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR), the charge starts at $150 for a same-day confirmed change. It is important to note that basic economy tickets may not be eligible for same-day confirmed changes or standby travel on certain airlines.
When it comes to standby policies, some airlines offer complimentary standby services for certain fare types. For example, Southwest Airlines offers free same-day standby for all fare types, while American Airlines provides complimentary standby within and between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and certain international destinations. Delta Air Lines also offers a complimentary same-day standby option, but it is not available for international flights.
To take advantage of standby options, travelers should be aware of the specific policies of their chosen airline. Standby listings can often be made through the airline's app, website, or customer service agents. In some cases, standby requests must be made at least 30 minutes to 45 minutes before the scheduled departure. It is worth noting that standby travel may result in additional fees, such as government taxes and baggage-related charges.
Overall, standby options for international flights vary depending on the airline and the specific circumstances. While some airlines offer complimentary standby, others may charge fees or require fare differences. It is recommended to check with the airline directly to understand their policies and any associated costs for international standby travel.
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Seat selection
Standby seats are a great option for those with flexible travel plans and a limited budget. However, the process of securing a standby seat and selecting a seat can vary across airlines.
For instance, Delta Air Lines allows passengers to wait for a seat on an earlier flight than their original ticket if the Same-Day Confirmed option is unavailable. Same-Day Standby is a complimentary service at no extra cost. However, until a passenger is assigned a seat on an earlier flight, their original flight booking is maintained. Additionally, Delta offers the option to switch to a confirmed seat on a new flight based on cabin availability for those who have purchased a seat in Delta First, Delta Premium Select, or Delta One®.
American Airlines offers unconfirmed standby for an earlier flight at no charge to all passengers but typically imposes a fee for confirmed standby. Confirmed standby changes are subject to availability on select flights, and seat selection is not available while requesting the flight change. Once a new flight is chosen, passengers can select their seats.
Southwest Airlines also offers free same-day standby, allowing passengers to retain their current flight while listing for standby on an earlier flight via the Southwest app or mobile web. Once cleared for standby, a seat will be automatically assigned to the passenger.
It is important to note that standby fees typically range from $25 to $100, with most airlines charging a $75 same-day change fee. Additionally, standby passengers may have lower priority than regular passengers and may need to vacate their seats for full-fare-paying customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Flying standby is when passengers with pre-purchased tickets are allowed to make same-day changes to their travel plans if seats are available on their desired flights. Standby flights are a great option for people with flexible travel schedules and lower budgets.
To fly standby out of a different airport, you must first check with your airline to see if you are eligible for same-day standby. If you are eligible, you can request a same-day change at the airport or through the airline's app or website. You must make this request before the departure of your original flight.
Flying standby allows passengers to make spontaneous travel plans without incurring high costs. It is a great option for those who are flexible and willing to wait for available seats. Additionally, first-class travellers, business-class passengers, and elite program members often enjoy free standby options.
