Navigating The Airport: Mastering The Art Of Standby

Flying standby is when a passenger without a seat assignment waits at the gate to see if there is an extra seat after all scheduled passengers have boarded. To fly standby, it's recommended that you purchase a cheap ticket from the airline you want to fly on so you can clear security when you get to the airport. Once you clear security, go to the gate for the flight you want to take and ask the attendant to put you on a standby list. Standby passengers who don't get seats are rolled into the standby list for the next flight.

How to get on the standby list

To get on the standby list, you must first purchase a cheap ticket from the airline you want to fly on so you can clear security when you get to the airport. Once you clear security, go to the gate for the flight you want to take and ask the attendant to put you on the standby list. This usually must occur in person at the airport, and not over the phone. Some airlines require that you ask to be added to the standby list at least ten minutes before the departure of the original flight.

To increase your chances of flying standby, travel by yourself since it’s rare for multiple standby seats to be available on any flight. Additionally, plan to travel with only carry-on luggage, since there’s usually no time to check your baggage once you’re selected to fly standby. Standby passengers typically have priority based on how much they paid for their tickets and their relative status in the airline's frequent flyer program. A person who paid full fare has higher priority than someone who purchased a 21-day advance fare, who, in turn, has higher priority than someone who just showed up hoping to board the plane.

The priority order of standby passengers

Standby passengers typically have priority based on how much they paid for their tickets and their relative status in the airline's frequent flyer program. A person who paid full fare has higher priority than someone who purchased a 21-day advance fare, who, in turn, has higher priority than someone who just showed up hoping to board the plane.

In addition, travelling alone increases your chances of flying standby, as it's rare for multiple standby seats to be available on any flight. It's also important to travel with only carry-on luggage, as there's usually no time to check baggage once you're selected to fly standby.

Some airlines require that passengers ask to be added to the standby list at least ten minutes before the departure of the original flight. If the passenger fails to do so, the airline will mark them as a no-show.

How to increase your chances of flying standby

Flying standby is when a passenger without a seat assignment waits at the gate to see if there is an extra seat after all scheduled passengers have boarded. To increase your chances of flying standby, you should:

• Purchase a cheap ticket from the airline you want to fly on so you can clear security when you get to the airport.
• Travel by yourself, as it's rare for multiple standby seats to be available on any flight.
• Travel with only carry-on luggage, as there's usually no time to check baggage once you're selected to fly standby.
• Arrive at the airport early and ask to be added to the standby list at least ten minutes before the departure of the original flight.
• Inform the airline of your intent to take an earlier flight and get added to the standby list.

How to check-in for a standby flight

Checking in for a standby flight is a little different from checking in for a regular flight. Standby means you are confirmed on a flight but want to change it to another flight, so you wait at the airport and if there is an empty seat on the flight you want, you take it instead of your confirmed flight. Here's how to check in for a standby flight:

First, make sure you have purchased a cheap ticket from the airline you want to fly on so you can clear security when you get to the airport. Once you clear security, go to the gate for the flight you want to take and ask the attendant to put you on a standby list. To increase your chances of flying standby, travel by yourself since it’s rare for multiple standby seats to be available on any flight. Also, only take carry-on luggage, since there’s usually no time to check your baggage once you’re selected to fly standby.

Nearly all airlines have online check-in. Go to the airline's website 24 hours prior to your flight's departure time and click on their "check-in" link. You will usually be asked for your confirmation number and your name (or frequent flyer number if you have one). Then just follow the check-in process, which will let you select your seats and print your boarding pass. Checking in early increases your odds of getting on your flight.

When flying standby, you must be in the boarding area and ready to board the plane when your name is called. This will not happen until all other ticketed passengers have been allocated seats, which often occurs 30 minutes or less before the plane takes off.

What to do if you don't get a seat

If you don't get a seat, you will be rolled into the standby list for the next flight. This is a common occurrence, as it is rare for multiple standby seats to be available on any flight. To increase your chances of getting a seat on the next flight, travel alone and with only carry-on luggage.

If you are not booked on a flight, you can wait to see if there is an extra seat after all scheduled passengers have boarded. If you have missed your flight, you will need to fly standby on the next flight to your destination, as you will no longer have a reservation. If you are already booked on a flight, you can arrive at the airport early and ask to be on standby for an earlier flight.

Frequently asked questions