What is flying standby

Passengers without luggage to be checked can check-in for their flights via web check-in, at self-service kiosks at the airport, or with a customer service agent at the airport. Then, before going through security, passengers should speak to a customer service agent about standing by for an earlier flight. Passengers who have luggage to check must check-in with a customer service agent at the airport and request to fly standby. Once the standby request is in, the airline will keep the original confirmed flight reservation in case there are no seats available on the standby flights.

Passengers can request standby at the airport it cannot be done over the phone for the same day only if traveling out of a city with only one daily flight, passengers can standby on the last flight one-day prior.

Passengers must travel standby between the same origin and destination cities as the original confirmed seat; however, passengers can travel standby on a connecting or nonstop flight.

Passengers traveling on an Even More space seat who choose to travel standby forfeit the seat fee and are not eligible for a refund. Mint customers may travel standby one flight prior to their confirmed scheduled departure, but the Mint experience will not be guaranteed and will be forfeited if unavailable on the new flight.

Passengers who miss their flights can travel stan-by, based on seat availability, but it is not guaranteed. Depending on the fare, there may be an additional fee. Passengers can request standby at the airport it cannot be done over the phone for the same day only if traveling out of a city with only one daily flight, passengers can standby for the next day.

Passengers must travel stan-by between the same origin and destination cities as the original confirmed seat; however, passengers can travel standby on a connecting or nonstop flight. JetBlue also offers a same-day change option; however, fees may apply there is no increase in fare. This option confirms passengers on the flight of their choice and can be requested at the airport or by calling JETBLUE Porter Airlines does not offer standby; however, depending on the type of ticket purchased, passengers may be able to change flights for free or for a fee.

Passengers flying on Freedom fares can request a ticket refund up to one hour prior to departure. Passengers flying on Flexible and Freedom fares can make same-day changes up to one hour prior to departure for free. Same-day changes and cancellations can be made online, through the Porter Call Centre at , and at the airport. Passengers flying on Business Select and Anytime fares can standby for travel between the same city pairs on the original date of travel for no change in fare.

Passengers must pay applicable taxes and fees for flying stan-by. Passengers flying on Wanna Get Away and Senior fares must upgrade to an Anytime fare in order to fly standby. Passengers who miss their flights should cancel their reservations at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure of their flight. Business Select and Anytime passengers who do not cancel their reservations will have any unused funds converted to reusable travel funds for the originally ticketed passenger only.

Passengers wishing to opt for standby can choose this option at the airport. United passengers can standby for free when the ticket fare does not have any penalties for making changes or when standing by involuntarily due to a flight irregularity. Changes in routing are not allowed when standing by. But, as you'd expect, you'll have to wait at the airport until a flight has an open seat.

The issuance of buddy passes varies dramatically from airline to airline, with specifics being kept under wraps as proprietary information. Still, if you're looking to travel standby and save a bundle, your best bet is to befriend someone that works for an airline. How does each option work? First things first: Know the rules. Some airlines will let you phone in or register online to get on the standby list, but these options may only be available for confirmed same-day changes.

Others may require you to show up at the airport and speak with an agent, or at least use the kiosks at the airport. Each airline has a designated window in which you're allowed to make that change, too, whether it's a few hours from your scheduled departure or after midnight the day of or 24 hours prior to your ticketed flight. And there may be further restrictions. If you already have a ticket, JetBlue, for one, specifically states that there's no standby flying for routes that only fly once a day, and you can only standby for the flight right before yours.

Many limit the options to your original departure and destination airports and to flights between certain regions most often the U. I opted to fly the route with the guaranteed tickets. Some airlines allow families to fly for free, while others tie standby tickets to seniority or other systems.

If you have a friend or family member who works for an airline, direct your specific logistical questions to them. Every airline has different rules for standby travel. The Problems With Flying Standby You might not be able to fly on the day you want Flying standby is a poor choice if you absolutely have to be somewhere for an event.

The first time I tried to fly to Panama, I spent an entire day at the airport and was unable to get on a flight. Bad weather had caused a cancellation earlier in the day, and the standby lists were full with passengers from canceled flights trying to get home. They all got priority over me. They were paying, ticket passengers, while I was traveling on a discounted buddy pass.

I left the airport and got some Thai food — a good consolation prize. But then I had to wait three more days before I could fly. So I lost three days in Panama. Not the end of the world, but probably the biggest drawback to this travel hack.

I flew to Panama on a one-way ticket, and had my buddy arrange the return ticket a few days before I wanted to leave the country. But when I first went to check in at the United counter in Denver, an employee turned me away because I did not have proof of onward travel — a customs requirement for many countries, including Panama.

Immigration never checks this, but airlines sometimes do. Or irregular operations. Or people with loyalty status.

Well, may not have brought much in the way of good news for the airline industry, but it did bring us the ability to finally say: flying standby is relevant to everyone.

But how does flying standby work in ? There are many reasons for being placed on the standby list, but here are some of the most common:.

The list will be prioritized according to your reason for being on it. During boarding, as seats are available, names will be called in order from the list, and passengers will be issued seats for the flight.

Related: What is non-rev travel? No longer is flying standby just for airline employees and businesspeople with status.