What is what does it mean to fly standby?

Flying standby means traveling on a flight without a confirmed seat. You're essentially waiting at the airport to see if there are any empty seats available after all confirmed passengers have boarded. Here's a breakdown:

  • How it works: You typically need to be at the airport well in advance of your desired flight and put your name on the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/standby%20list">standby list</a>. This can often be done at the ticket counter or sometimes through the airline's app.

  • Eligibility: <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/Standby%20eligibility">Standby eligibility</a> varies by airline and fare class. Some airlines offer standby as a free perk to certain passengers, like those with elite status or those who have purchased a full-fare ticket. Other airlines may charge a fee for standby. Employees of airlines and their family members frequently fly standby.

  • Priority: Airlines prioritize standby passengers based on a variety of factors, including their <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/frequent%20flyer%20status">frequent flyer status</a>, fare class, and the time they requested standby.

  • Unpredictability: Flying standby is inherently unpredictable. There's no guarantee you'll get on the flight. Factors such as flight cancellations, overbooking, and no-shows all affect your chances.

  • Flexibility: It requires a great deal of <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/travel%20flexibility">travel flexibility</a>. You need to be prepared to wait at the airport, potentially for hours, and to potentially fly on a different flight or even a different day.

  • Cost savings: In some cases, flying standby can be a cheaper option, especially if the airline offers discounted standby fares. However, weigh the potential cost savings against the risk of not getting on the flight.