How To Fly Standby By Airline
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Same-Day Standby: Available for travelers wanting to take an earlier flight. Same-day standby is free for passengers flying first class, business class, AAdvantage® Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and oneworld® Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby members. For others, a small fee may apply.
How to Request: You can request standby when checking in online or at the airport, or you can ask a gate agent to add you to the list.
Fee: Standby is generally free for eligible flyers or those who have been involuntarily bumped from a flight.
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Same-Day Standby: Available for all passengers on domestic flights within the U.S. (excluding Basic Economy fares). If your desired flight has available seats, you’ll be confirmed at no additional charge.
How to Request: You can request standby when checking in or by speaking to a Delta agent at the airport.
Fee: Same-day standby is free for Medallion members, but non-members may be charged a fee depending on the fare class.
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Same-Day Standby: Available to all ticket holders, except Basic Economy passengers. If a confirmed same-day change is not available, United will automatically add you to the standby list.
How to Request: Use the United app to request a same-day flight change, or ask a gate agent at the airport.
Fee: Free for Premier® members or for those who purchased flexible or full-fare tickets. A small fee may apply for others.
Priority: Priority goes to MileagePlus® members and those who hold elite status.
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Same-Day Standby: Available on the same calendar day for all fare classes, excluding Blue Basic.
How to Request: Request standby online during check-in or at the airport.
Fee: There is no charge for standby requests, but you may have to pay a fare difference if switching to a flight that has a higher price.
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Same-Day Standby: Southwest allows passengers to fly standby, but you’ll need to be a member of their A-List or A-List Preferred frequent flyer program to do so for free. Otherwise, you must pay the fare difference.
How to Request: Request standby at the airport. If a seat is available, they will add you to the flight.
Fee: A-List members fly standby for free; other passengers will pay any fare difference.
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Same-Day Standby: Available for flights within Alaska and the continental U.S., excluding Saver fares. Elite Mileage Plan members are automatically prioritized on the standby list.
How to Request: Request standby during check-in or at the airport.
Fee: Free for first-class passengers, Mileage Plan™ MVP Gold, and Gold 75K members, or if your original flight was delayed/canceled.
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Same-Day Standby: Spirit offers standby only to passengers whose flights have been canceled or delayed. If a seat is available on an earlier flight, they may allow you to fly standby without charge.
How to Request: Talk to a gate agent at the airport.
Fee: Standby is usually only available if a flight is canceled, so there is no fee.
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Same-Day Standby: Standby options are very limited, but passengers with missed flights due to cancellation or delay may be placed on standby for free.
How to Request: Speak to a Frontier agent at the airport.
Fee: Generally, standby is not available unless your flight is disrupted.
Flying standby can be an exciting way to score a last-minute flight at a discounted rate or get onto an earlier flight if your plans change. However, the process varies by airline, and it’s not guaranteed that you’ll get a seat. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fly standby, including airline-specific policies:
General Standby Tips
Eligibility
Standby is typically available for employees of airlines, friends and family using buddy passes, or passengers who missed their flight. Some airlines also allow passengers to fly standby for an earlier flight if they have a same-day ticket.
Plan Ahead
Arrive early at the airport. The earlier you check in, the better your chances of getting on a standby list.
Always have a backup plan, as flying standby is not guaranteed.
Be flexible with your schedule. You might not get on your desired flight, and you may have to wait for the next available one.
Each airline has different standby policies, so check the specific airline's website or contact customer service beforehand.
Know Your Status
Priority for standby seating is usually given to frequent flyers, passengers who missed their connections, or those with higher-tier tickets.
Airline employees and their guests flying on buddy passes are typically placed lower on the priority list.
Carry-On Only:
Travel with carry-on luggage only, as checked luggage can complicate last-minute flight changes.
More Tips for Flying Standby Successfully
Check in Early: The sooner you check in, the better your chances of securing a spot on the standby list.
Be Ready to Move: Have your bags packed, your shoes on, and be near the gate when standby calls are made. Missing the announcement could mean missing your chance.
Ask at the Gate: Keep in communication with the gate agents. Let them know you're eager and ready to fly.
Look for Off-Peak Flights: Standby success is more likely on flights that are less crowded, so try for times when fewer people are flying, such as mid-week or during off-peak hours.
By following these guidelines and understanding each airline’s standby policy, you can increase your chances of snagging a last-minute seat or jumping on an earlier flight. Always stay flexible and keep a backup plan in place!
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H & B @ HBTT
