Lois Larson
Flying standby is when a passenger without a seat assignment waits at the gate to see if there are any extra seats after all the scheduled passengers have boarded. Passengers may choose to fly standby if they have missed their flight, need to get out of town early, want to extend their vacation, or are considering last-minute alternatives to their original flight. Standby tickets are typically only available to airline employees and their companions travelling on a buddy pass, although some airlines may offer them to the general public. Standby passengers are usually given seats on a first-come, first-served basis, although some airlines may give priority to those with elite status or frequent flyer memberships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can fly standby? | Airline employees and their companions, elite/frequent fliers, passengers who have missed their flight, passengers who want to get on an earlier or later flight on the same day as their original flight. |
| How to fly standby? | Request to fly standby when checking in online or at the airport. |
| How much does it cost? | Standby tickets are discounted, but some airlines charge a fee for the same-day flight service. |
| What are the benefits? | Standby travel grants the chance to take advantage of last-minute air travel opportunities. Standby ticket holders often enjoy additional benefits, such as exclusive offers at hotels. |
| What are the drawbacks? | Standby travel is not guaranteed. It can be stressful and may require backup plans. Standby passengers may have to vacate their seat for a full fare-paying customer. |
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What You'll Learn
- Standby is a request to fly on an earlier flight
- Standby passengers are typically airline employees and their companions
- Standby passengers are prioritised based on their loyalty status
- Standby passengers may have to vacate their seat for a full fare-paying customer
- Standby passengers may have to wait a long time to know their status
Standby is a request to fly on an earlier flight
Flying standby is a good option for those who are adventurous and spontaneous, as it allows them to take advantage of last-minute air travel opportunities. However, it is important to note that standby travel is not guaranteed and travellers may need to make backup plans if they do not get a seat on the flight. Additionally, standby passengers may have to vacate their seats for full fare-paying customers.
To increase your chances of getting a standby seat, it is recommended to travel with only carry-on luggage, as checking in luggage can slow you down and reduce your chances of securing a seat. It is also beneficial to arrive at the airport early and request to be added to the standby list for your desired flight. The process for adding yourself to the list varies by airline, with some allowing you to do it online or via their app, while others require you to speak to a ticket or gate agent in person.
Some airlines may charge a fee for flying standby, which can range from USD $25 to USD $75 for unconfirmed standby. However, same-day standby flights are sometimes offered for free, and airline employees and their companions often receive discounted or free standby tickets.
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Standby passengers are typically airline employees and their companions
Standby tickets are usually only available to airline employees and their companions, but some airlines do offer them to regular passengers too. These tickets are often significantly cheaper than regular tickets, and they can be a great option for budget-conscious travellers. However, it's important to note that standby tickets are not always available, and even if you have one, there's no guarantee that you'll get a seat on the flight. Airlines usually fill standby seats on a first-come, first-served basis, and passengers with elite or frequent flyer status are often given priority.
Standby passengers typically have lower priority than regular passengers, and they may have to give up their seat if a full-fare-paying customer arrives. They may also have to wait at the gate for some time before finding out if they can board the flight. This can make it challenging to book accommodation in advance, and there is a risk of facing higher hotel fares due to booking rooms at the last minute.
Overall, flying standby can be a great option for airline employees and their companions, as it allows them to travel at a discounted rate. However, it's important to be prepared for the possibility of not getting a seat, and the uncertainty that comes with this type of travel.
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Standby passengers are prioritised based on their loyalty status
Flying standby is when a passenger without a seat assignment waits at the gate to see if there are any extra seats after all the scheduled passengers have boarded. Passengers may choose to fly standby if they want to take an earlier flight than the one they are booked on, or if they have missed their original flight and need to take the next available one. Standby passengers are typically given seats on a first-come, first-served basis, but they may also be prioritised based on how much they paid for their tickets and their loyalty status with the airline.
Airlines often give priority to passengers with elite or frequent flyer status. This means that these passengers have a better chance of getting on their desired flight, and may even be considered for business or first-class upgrades. For example, some airlines give free space-available domestic upgrades to first class for their elite tier fliers. If first class sells out or upgrades go to higher-tiered passengers, these elite fliers can stand by in case a first-class seat becomes available due to a cancellation, no-show, misconnect, irregular operation, or equipment change.
In addition to loyalty status, standby passengers' priority is also determined by their reason for being on the list. Revenue passengers who missed their original flight for involuntary reasons are usually at the top of the list. It is important to note that even if a passenger has a high priority on the standby list, there is still a risk of not getting a seat on the flight. This uncertainty can be stressful and may require backup plans.
Some airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, have policies that only allow full-fare tickets to be eligible for standby unless the passenger's original flight was delayed. Other airlines, like American Airlines, restrict free standby to passengers with elite status or fully refundable tickets. As of April 2010, most US airlines charge a fee for unconfirmed standby, typically ranging from USD $50 to $75.
Overall, while standby policies vary by airline, it is clear that loyalty status plays a significant role in prioritising standby passengers. Those with elite or frequent flyer status are more likely to be accommodated and may even receive upgrades when flying standby.
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Standby passengers may have to vacate their seat for a full fare-paying customer
Standby is a common practice in air travel, where passengers without a confirmed seat wait for a seat to become available due to cancellations, no-shows, or other factors. While it offers flexibility and the potential for upgrades, it also comes with uncertainties and the possibility of not getting a seat.
Standby passengers typically include those who missed their original flight, those seeking an earlier or later flight on the same day, and airline employees or their eligible companions travelling on discounted "buddy passes". While policies vary across airlines, standby passengers generally have lower priority than regular fare-paying customers.
When a flight is overbooked, airlines may designate passengers without seat assignments as "standby". Standby passengers wait at the gate, and any available seats are allocated based on priority, with full-fare-paying customers taking precedence. Standby passengers may have to vacate their seats for these customers, as their tickets hold more weight.
The priority for standby passengers is often based on their loyalty or elite status with the airline, the type of ticket they hold, and their position on the standby list. Those with higher-tier tickets, elite status, or frequent flyer memberships are more likely to retain their seats. Additionally, passengers who paid for a full-fare ticket have a higher priority than those with discounted or advance purchase tickets.
In the event that a full-fare-paying customer requires a seat occupied by a standby passenger, the standby passenger may be asked to vacate their seat. This can be a stressful and uncertain situation for the standby passenger, especially if there are no other available seats on the flight. It is important for passengers in such situations to remain polite and follow the instructions of gate agents.
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Standby passengers may have to wait a long time to know their status
Standby passengers are those who are either trying to get on an earlier or later flight on the same day as their original flight or have been bumped from their previous flight. They may also be airline employees or their families and companions flying for free or at a discounted rate. Standby passengers are typically given seats on a first-come, first-served basis after all regular fare-paying passengers have boarded. However, some airlines give priority to elite or frequent fliers.
The process of flying standby varies by airline. Some airlines allow passengers to add themselves to the standby list and pay the fee online, while others require a phone call. If passengers are already at the airport, they can usually request standby at check-in or at the gate. Passengers are advised to arrive at the departure gate early, but they may not know their standby status until 30 minutes before the flight departure.
To increase the chances of getting a standby seat, passengers are advised to travel with carry-on luggage only as checking in luggage can slow them down. Additionally, passengers should be prepared to make backup plans if they miss their desired flight.
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Frequently asked questions
Flying on standby means that you are waiting for a seat to become available on a flight that you are not currently booked on. This could be because you missed your original flight, are trying to get an earlier or later flight, or are an airline employee or companion travelling on a "buddy pass".
To get on the standby list, you can request to be added at check-in or at the gate. Some airlines may also allow you to add yourself to the list and pay the fee online, or you might have to call the airline.
Standby tickets are typically cheaper than regular tickets, but they are not always available. Some airlines may charge a fee for the standby service, which can range from $25 to $75.
Flying on standby can be a great option for budget-conscious travellers or those looking for a more flexible travel experience. It can also be a way to take advantage of last-minute travel opportunities. Additionally, standby passengers often have priority based on their loyalty status with the airline.
