What Are The Chances Of Getting On A Standby Flight?

The exact percentage of airline standby customers who get off the list and into seats on average varies depending on the airline, flight, and other factors. Generally speaking, however, it is estimated that around 50-60% of those listed as standbys are able to board their flights.

Do people on standby usually get on the plane?

What is flying standby? – If you’re on the standby list, that means you haven’t been given a seat on the plane. And without a seat on the plane, you aren’t guaranteed to board. There are many reasons for being placed on the standby list, but here are some of the most common:

You or someone you know works for an airline. It could be that you are using airline benefits, including buddy passes, You don’t want to take your original flight for voluntary reasons. Maybe you miss the kids and don’t want to wait to see them. Or you just want to get to your destination as soon as possible. So you’re put on the standby list for an earlier flight out. You can’t take your original flight for involuntary reasons. Things like weather. Your flight gets cancelled so you may be put on the standby list for another flight.

The list will be prioritized according to your reason for being on it. Revenue passengers who didn’t make their original flight for involuntary reasons are normally highest on the list. During boarding, as seats are available, names will be called in order from the list, and passengers will be issued seats for the flight. If the flight fills up before they get to your name, you’ll be left at the gate watching the plane take off. Related: What is non-rev travel?

How can I increase my chances of getting on a standby flight?

Do Your Homework on the Best Times to Fly – Before you even book an unfavorable schedule on the notion that you will just try to fly standby earlier in the day, you need to do your research if that day and time will lend you the highest standby success rate. Your rate of success generally boils down to when and where you’re flying.

If you think this is the route you want to take, make sure it isn’t a high airport traffic day. Long weekends and holidays tend to have the fullest flights with no room for last-minute passengers. It often comes down to timing. If you can depart beyond the holiday weekends, you’ll have a better chance of flying last-minute.

Also, if you are taking a popular route with loads of flights in one day, your chances should swing more in your favor as opposed to a route with just three flights a day.

Are standby flights first come first serve?

Check-In Early – We know sitting around at the airport can be a drag, but as a standby traveler, you’re not in the position to show up right before the gate is closing. Also, when it comes to flying standby, passengers are oftentimes chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the earlier you check-in, the more apt you’ll be to scoring a seat on the flight.

How do airlines decide who is on standby?

History – Airline employees and some of their family and friends can also travel standby, often for free or at a significant discount. They typically have lower priority than regular passengers, and are given a seat after all regular fare passengers have seats.

• Standby passengers may also have to vacate their seat for a full fare-paying customer.
• Non-employees can get on the standby list by speaking to a ticket agent or gate agent.
• This usually must occur in person at the airport, and not over the phone.
• When the flight boards, agents give any available seats to standby passengers, who wait at the gate to be called.

Standby passengers who don’t get seats are rolled into the standby list for the next flight. Standby passengers typically have priority based on how much they paid for their tickets and their relative status in the airline’s, 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.

Some, in particular, have policies that only allow full fares to standby (unless the passenger’s original flight was delayed). This means that someone with a discounted airfare, like a Web-only fare or 14-day advance ticket is ineligible to fly standby unless they upgrade to a full-fare ticket. Standby for earlier flights began as a free service on many airlines, but as of April 2010, most US airlines charge for unconfirmed standby, with a USD $50 to $75 fee being common.

Currently, charges USD $75 for standby travel to all passengers except passengers on full fare tickets, 1K passengers, Global Services passengers, and premium cabin passengers. restricts free standby to passengers with elite status or fully refundable tickets, and charges $75 to all other passengers who want a confirmed standby seat within 24 hours of their desired flight time.

Why am I on standby for a flight?

Change of concept – Once upon a time, trying to get your hands on a standby ticket could mean hours of waiting at the reservations desk. However, if you were not in a hurry and on a tight budget, it could still be an attractive option. These days, due to heightened security, and the fact that flights are more likely to be overbooked than undersold (albeit less so in the last few years amid the pandemic), that is next to impossible. Photo: Niklas Prescher/Shutterstock This can also be applied to airline employees, their family members, or close acquaintances that fly for a heavily discounted price on so-called “buddy passes.” This instance is that which most closely resembles the original standby concept, as it relies more heavily on the users arranging their travel plans at rather short notice.

Who gets priority on standby?

StaffTraveler Priority Every airline has its own priority system, but in general, the order for boarding standby passengers is as follows:

Full-fare passengersCommuting flight crewsStandby passengers from the airline (in order of seniority or time of check-in)Buddy pass travelersStandby passengers from other airlines

Flight loads You can get the non-rev loads with the StaffTraveler app. Employees of the airlines you wish to travel on will answer your requests, enabling you to choose the perfect route and time to travel. Boarding Unless there are plenty of seats available, you will probably get a boarding pass indicating ‘SBY’ instead of a seat number.

1. Go to the gate and introduce yourself to the gate agent.
2. He/she will keep your boarding pass and call you when you get a seat.
3. Be sure to pay attention to the public announcements as your name will be called.
4. If the flight is full and you can’t board, your luggage will be offloaded.
5. Contact the gate agent after the boarding is complete to get yourself listed on a next flight.

Your luggage will be loaded on that flight. If there’s no next flight or you decide to try a different airline, ask the gate agent where to collect your luggage. Do you have questions about StaffTraveler? We are happy to help you! Check our, : StaffTraveler

How often are flight attendants on standby?

How Many Days Are Flight Attendants On Reserve? – Reserve flight attendants are usually on reserve 18 to 20 days per month, but it can be even less. The more seniority a reserve accrues, the more days off they may be able to have. Reserve flight attendants are the more junior flight attendants of the airline (newer), the more senior flight attendants are line holders, meaning they hold a line of flying and know their trips in advance.

What is the success rate of standby?

The exact percentage of airline standby customers who get off the list and into seats on average varies depending on the airline, flight, and other factors. Generally speaking, however, it is estimated that around 50-60% of those listed as standbys are able to board their flights.

Can I ask to be on standby for an earlier flight?

Join the standby list for an earlier flight – If you can’t confirm a seat on another flight or can’t change without a fee, you can always join the standby list for an earlier flight for free. If your itinerary includes several flight segments, you’ll need to stand by for each flight individually.

• Do airlines save seats for standby?

  Can I still fly standby? – Can you simply show up at the airport without a ticket and expect to get somewhere for cheap? The short answer is no. Airlines no longer allow you to wait around at the counter in hopes of snagging a “standby flight” and filling the last seat of a departing flight.

  And buying a ticket on the day of a flight would do the opposite of saving you money – last-minute tickets are staggeringly expensive. “Flying standby” these days usually refers to making an unconfirmed (i.e., without a reserved seat), same-day flight change, which requires a paid ticket that’s been purchased in advance.

  There’s also the option of a confirmed same-day change, which essentially guarantees you a seat for another flight on the same day as your original ticket – for a fee that’s less than the typical change fee. (This is cheaper because you’re taking the gamble that the other flights haven’t all filled up yet.) For unconfirmed standby, there might also be a fee. Passenger at gate / VladTeodor/iStock

  How do I get first on standby?

  Download Article Download Article Flying standby is a great way for you to get preferable flights or to fly cheaper. What is cool about standby is that you can save money while adding excitement to your travel experience. However, before you jump into a standby adventure, there are a number of things you should know.

  1. 1 Learn about the standby policies of the airline you are flying. Airlines like United Airlines and Delta have different policies regarding standby passengers. These policies reflect fees, treatment of checked luggage, and more. As a result, you should take a minute to read your airline’s policies.
  2. 2 Purchase an inexpensive ticket. If your initial goal is to fly standby, you should try to buy the cheapest ticket possible to your final destination. Without a ticket, you won’t be able to clear security and won’t have the ability to take advantage of a last-minute standby opportunity.
     • Buy a ticket from the specific airline you want to travel on or from discount travel websites like Travelocity, Priceline, Expedia, or Kayak.
     • Having a ticket to the destination you want to go to is important, as many airlines will not allow you to fly standby unless you’re already going to that destination.

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  3. 3 Avoid buying a ticket you don’t want to use. Remember that flying standby is not guaranteed. Thus, you need to be smart about the ticket you purchase. If you won’t want to use it, you shouldn’t buy it. This is because there is a very good chance you won’t be able to get a standby ticket.
  4. 4 Get a buddy pass to avoid buying a ticket. If you or someone you know works for a given airline, you may be to use a “buddy pass.” This pass will allow you to show up to a gate without purchasing a ticket. Generally, buddy passes are the only way you’ll be able to get through security and to a gate without a ticket.
     • Airlines provide a set number of buddy passes to their employees every year.
     • Buddy passes may enable users to purchase tickets at a steep discount – sometimes between 30% and 60%.
     • Depending on the airline, buddy passes may allow the user to check two bags.
  5. 5 Call ahead to increase your chances of getting a standby ticket. If you’re considering traveling standby ahead of time, you should probably call the airline and let them know. In some cases, airlines will be able to put you on a standby list.

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  1. 1 Arrive at the airport early. In most cases, you should plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before the flight you want to fly standby on. If the airport is particularly busy, or there have been many flight cancellations, you may want to arrive even earlier. This way, you may be able to get on the standby list for more than one flight.
     • Your chances of getting a standby seat are much higher on earlier flights – so arrive as early in the morning as you possibly can.
  2. 2 Introduce yourself at the boarding gate. After you’ve cleared security and arrived at the gate of the flight you want to be on, you should approach the airline representatives at the gate desk and introduce yourself. Let them know that you’re booked for a later flight and want to fly standby on their flight. If you’re not already on a standby list, they may be able to put you on one.
     • Be as polite as possible. Remember, the airline representative is not responsible for flight cancellations or any other issues.
  3. 3 Stay at the gate until the airplane taxis away. While you may want to give up as boarding is winding down, you should stay at the gate until the airplane’s door is closed and the flight taxis away from the jetway. This is important, as the flight crew might determine new seat availability at the very last minute.
  4. 4 Pay the fee if you’re selected to fly standby. If you’re selected as a standby flyer, you will likely have to pay a fee for the privilege. Fees vary by airline, and can range from $25 to $100. However, your fee may be waived if you’re a preferred flyer with that specific airline.
     • You may also have to pay a fee if you check a piece of luggage.

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  1. 1 Travel light. Depending on the airline and specific circumstances, your chances of getting a standby seat may be higher if you do not need to check baggage. This is because standby seats are often filled at the very last minute, and there may not be time to check your baggage.
     • In addition, if an airline does check your baggage, it may be checked on a different flight to your destination.
  2. 2 Be open to changing your plans. When it comes to traveling standby, you’ll have to build in a decent amount of flexibility into your travel plans. Without flexibility, you won’t be able to take advantage of the major benefits of flying standby. As a result, expect the unexpected when flying standby.
     • Inform anyone that might be expecting you at your destination that you could be early or late.
     • Make sure connecting flights or other transportation options are scheduled appropriately.
     • Cancel or postpone hotel accommodations if you’ll be delayed overnight.
  3. 3 Travel by yourself. While it is possible to travel standby with a group, it is very hard to do so. This is because there are usually only a couple of standby seats available on a given plane. If you are traveling standby with a group, your group might get broken up and may be put onto two or more different planes.
  4. 4 Focus on off-peak times. If you plan to travel standby, try to fly at times when fewer people are flying. This is because the more people flying, the less seats will be available on given flights. In addition, more people flying means more competition for the few standby seats that may be available.
     • Don’t plan to fly standby on holiday weekends, major holidays, or during specific events (like the Super Bowl or Olympics).
  5. 5 Join an airline rewards program. Many airlines will give preferential treatment to members of their rewards programs. Such perks include being moved to the front of the list of standby flyers, paying a smaller fee to fly standby, or getting a free upgrade. Thus, consider joining a rewards program if you plan to fly standby in the future.

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  Add New Question

  • Question If I want to fly at the last minute without a ticket, how can I get an available seat? Check with the airline staff. Catching a last-minute flight without a ticket is much easier if you just have carry-on luggage.
  • Question Can I bring empanadas on the plane? No.
  • Question Do they have standby in Australian airports? Yes, you can get standby in Australian airports. Many people have done it, including me!

  See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement Article Summary X To fly standby, make sure to 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.
  • In order 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.

  To learn more, like how to put yourself on a standby list before going to the airport, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 776,987 times.

  How does the standby list work?

  What Does Flying Standby Mean? – Flying standby in today’s travel industry allows passengers who pre-purchased tickets the option of making same-day changes to travel plans if seats are available on their desired flights. You may enter your name into the standby list if:

  Your original flight was canceled. You were bumped from your original flight due to overbooking. You want to take an earlier or later flight to your destination. You missed your flight due to a missed connection or circumstances beyond your control.

  Note that standby flights are not guaranteed, and people who missed flights can only go onto the standby list when specific conditions are met (check with your airline for a full list of their standby rules).

  What are the best times to travel standby?

  Fly using the buddy system – The second way to fly standby is the “buddy pass” system, which means you are lucky enough to have a friend or relative who works (or worked) for an airline. A perk of being an airline employee is that each year you receive several free passes to be shared with friends and family (these tickets are not totally free, since you still have to pay taxes and fees).

  1. Though buddy pass policy is different for each airline, the bottom line is the same: the standby passenger needs to wait until a seat becomes available.
  2. The process varies regarding how to book a flight using a buddy pass.
  3. Usually a buddy pass comes with a confirmation code, and you can list yourself on a flight by calling a reservation agent.

  By checking on the flight’s passenger load, the reservation agent can give you an idea of your chances of boarding a particular flight. There are no guarantees, though, so using a buddy pass means being flexible about hanging out at the airport. You’ll have better odds of boarding a flight if you select those less-travelled days and times (avoid weekends and holidays; go for early or late flights, such as 6am or 10pm). Flying standby requires patience and time Flying standby isn’t always an option. When I book award tickets for amazing destinations, I always leave that part to Juicy Miles!

  Is it expensive to fly standby?

  How Much Does It Cost to Fly Standby? Travel Tips. The cost of flying standby depends on two things: the flight itself, and who you are to the airline. Most likely, however, there will be a nominal charge of between $25 and $100 to fly standby.

  What percentage of people don’t show up for flights?

  Travel nightmares: What to do if you miss your flight What to do if you miss your flight If you miss your flight, don’t stress out. There’s more than one way to save your vacation or business trip. If you miss your flight, don’t stress out. There’s more than one way to save your vacation or business trip. That’s what Laura Coletti discovered when she didn’t make her recent flight from South Bend, Ind., back to New York. “I slept through my alarm and woke up in a panic when I realized that my flight was taking off in five minutes,” she recalls. United Airlines’ policy seemed unbending. She risked losing her entire return fare if she didn’t show up for the flight. Missed flights may be one of the biggest air travel irritants. Depending on where you’re headed, anywhere from 2% to 8% of passengers miss their flight. But there are ways to fix the problem and get to your destination. If you act quickly, know your rights and stay polite, you’ll be on your way. What to do if you miss your flight If you think you’re going to miss a flight, call your airline immediately, experts say. The sooner your airline knows that you’ll be late, the more options it has to fix it. Coletti, who works for a marketing agency in New York, phoned United the minute she woke up and let a representative know that she’d overslept. “An agent rebooked me for a slightly later flight from South Bend to LaGuardia with a brief stopover in Chicago,” she says. “I was back in New York just a few hours after I originally would have been. I have no idea why I wasn’t charged for that — I certainly was expecting a cost — but I wasn’t, and I was glad about that.” Although airlines often charge you for a new ticket if you miss a flight, there are important exceptions. But to find out if you qualify, you need to act fast. Calling the airline before your departure can significantly increase your chances of getting rebooked on the next flight at no additional charge. How to fix a missed flight It helps to understand what’s happening behind the scenes. When you miss a flight, it also puts your airline in a difficult position. Chances are, your seat has flown empty. Rebooking you on the next flight means giving you a free ticket. That’s why letting the airline know you’ll be late is so important; it allows the carrier to release the seat and maybe resell it, offsetting the lost revenue. Your reasons for missing a flight matter. “If you are at the counter, be polite, explain why you are late,” advises Peter Vlitas, a senior vice president for airline relations at Travel Leaders Group. “Was the airport exit congested? Did it take too long to get to the counter? Make the case that you were late as a function of trying to get to the airport or counter or running to the gate.” Most airlines have an informal “flat tire” rule that allows them to book you on the next available flight if you have a good reason for getting to the airport late, like, say, a flat tire. Those may include a medical emergency, an accident on the way to the airport or some documentable event beyond your control. Typically, sleeping through your alarm doesn’t count, but agents have some flexibility in how they can apply the flat tire rule. Airlines tend to throw the book in your face if you don’t have a good reason for being late and you tell them after the flight leaves. That’s when you normally have to buy a new ticket. But a little politeness can overcome this obstacle, too. Time and again, travelers say that being nice instead of demanding has gotten them on the next flight at no additional charge. What are your rights when you miss a flight? If you missed a flight because you were late to the airport, you don’t have any real rights. Most airlines will classify you as a “no-show” and keep your money. Note that your return flight will also be canceled automatically. If you contact the carrier before the flight departs, you may be able to get a partial ticket credit depending on the kind of ticket you have. But if you miss a connecting flight, you’re not out of luck. Under most domestic airline policies — which are outlined in the contract of carriage on the airline website — if you miss a connection, it will rebook you on the next flight at no charge. If that means staying at the airport overnight, the airline will cover a hotel stay. For example, American Airlines will pay for a hotel if the delay is “within our control or you were diverted to another city, and we don’t board to your final destination before 11:59 p.m. local time,”, If you miss a connection on a flight to Europe, you might be entitled to even more. For certain missed connections European consumer regulations provide up to 600 euros, plus rerouting or a flight back to your point of departure at no extra cost. “When you’re on an international flight going to Europe and miss your connection because of the delay or cancellation of the first flight, you have rights,” says Thomas Busson, a spokesman for ClaimCompass, a service that helps passengers obtain compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, the European consumer rule. But here’s the best advice of all: Don’t be late. Set an alarm and don’t forget to turn up the volume on your phone. Set a calendar reminder with your flight itinerary. And give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport. Airlines such as United even publish to allow for better planning. Tips for handling a missed flight • Know the rules. Keep a copy of your airline’s contract of carriage (available from its website) or EU Regulation 261 on your smartphone for quick access. You can find a full copy of EU Regulation 261 on the EU website:, • Hire a travel agent. A trusted travel adviser can help you schedule your ground transportation to ensure you get to the terminal on time. In-the-know agents can also quickly find the next available flight and use their connections to rebook you with a minimum of fuss. • Think outside the box. There’s more than one way to get to your final destination. When David Nico missed a flight from Washington to Norfolk, Va., he rented a car and made the four-hour drive home. Problem solved. Lesson learned? “Consider other travel options if there is going to be a long delay to get to your final destination,” says Nico, a professional speaker and author. Christopher Elliott is a consumer advocate. Contact him at or visit, : Travel nightmares: What to do if you miss your flight

  How do you guarantee a standby seat?

  When to fly a standby flight – Flying standby is still possible today, just not in the way it once was. Generally, you can fly “standby” if you’ve already bought a ticket and

  Your original flight was canceled You were involuntarily bumped from your original flight You want to take an earlier flight with the same itinerary (from the same origin airport to the same destination airport) You want to take a later flight with the same itinerary You missed your flight. This only applies to certain cases, like if you missed a connection or there were circumstances beyond your control.

  No standby seat is guaranteed—hence, the name “standby”—but there are certain ways you can increase your chances. You first need to request standby as soon as possible, since airlines typically prioritize standby fliers on a first-come-first-served basis.

  Your best bet for the quickest response is calling a customer service number. Waiting in line to talk to a gate agent in person only bumps you further back on the standby list. Then make a mad dash to the gate for your standby flight. If a gate agent calls your name and you don’t respond right away, she’ll move on to the next flier, no questions asked.

  If it’s possible, only travel with a carry-on. Some airlines won’t let you fly standby if you already checked a bag. Unlike the standby tickets of old, requesting standby nowadays usually comes with an added fee in addition to the price of your original ticket.

  What are the best times to travel standby?

  Fly using the buddy system – The second way to fly standby is the “buddy pass” system, which means you are lucky enough to have a friend or relative who works (or worked) for an airline. A perk of being an airline employee is that each year you receive several free passes to be shared with friends and family (these tickets are not totally free, since you still have to pay taxes and fees).

  Though buddy pass policy is different for each airline, the bottom line is the same: the standby passenger needs to wait until a seat becomes available. The process varies regarding how to book a flight using a buddy pass. Usually a buddy pass comes with a confirmation code, and you can list yourself on a flight by calling a reservation agent.

  By checking on the flight’s passenger load, the reservation agent can give you an idea of your chances of boarding a particular flight. There are no guarantees, though, so using a buddy pass means being flexible about hanging out at the airport. You’ll have better odds of boarding a flight if you select those less-travelled days and times (avoid weekends and holidays; go for early or late flights, such as 6am or 10pm). Flying standby requires patience and time Flying standby isn’t always an option. When I book award tickets for amazing destinations, I always leave that part to Juicy Miles!