Where to get standby flights

Within the United mobile app, for example, you can request a same-day flight change, which either puts you on a list for standby flights if no seats are available or confirms you a seat on a different flight if loads are light.

These days, rule sand regulations for standby flights are a lot more fixed than they were in the past, with little left up to the discretion of the airline employee. If a higher status passenger arrives at the gate and wants to standby, even if you already have a boarding pass, the airline technically reserves the right to bump you to the next flight, although recent controversies surrounding this practice might make that a slightly less likely eventuality.

Every airline has its own standby policy and potential fees. This guide can provide some information, but it is always best to contact them directly in case of any changes. Sadly, those days are gone. Across the board, U.

Today, what mostly happens is that a paying passenger might apply for a seat on an earlier flight on a day that they already have a ticket for say, the 9 a. 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 save you money -- last-minute tickets are staggeringly expensive.

There's also the option of a confirmed same-day change, which essentially guarantees you a seat for another flight on the same day of 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. Airline passengers may avoid costly change fees by traveling standby. Airlines generally do not sell tickets designed for standby travel; most tickets specify a certain flight and date, and airlines expect passengers to travel on that flight.

But circumstances can change, and travelers often want to change flights and make new reservations. While expensive full-fare tickets allow this change at no charge, most tickets sold today carry substantial restrictions that discourage such changes. But these costs may be substantially avoided if the customer opts to travel on the same day, but on a different flight. Check the restrictions. Some higher-priced tickets favored by business travelers often have few or no restrictions, and they are valid for one year.

You can make new reservations. But if the flight is full, ticket-holders may still opt to go standby. Passengers with discount tickets may be restricted, but standby travel on a different flight is usually possible on the same day as the original reservation and at the original price, although a small fee may apply. Error: No posts found. Make sure this account has posts available on instagram. We are updating our Cookie Policy. FareCompare will use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist with navigation and product selection, analyze your use of our services, assist with our promotional and marketing efforts, and provide deals content from third parties.

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