How do you fly on standby without a ticket/boarding pass?
I know that when you have a boarding pass, and are just trying to get an earlier flight, you can get on a standby list at the gate and wait to see what happens.
However, if you are trying to fly for a lower fare (in the case of filling empty seats on an airplane), can you do this without buying (I assume) a regular fare in advance? I ask because as far as I know, if you don't have a boarding pass, you cannot get through security and to the gate.
I am willing to spend a few days at the airport in this effort, so that is not a problem. To be specific, my plan is to fly from California to Japan.
Best Answer
As the commenters have noted, the concept of standing by to fill empty seats for a low fare does not really exist any more, at least on any major carrier. But there do exist situations where you could find yourself landside of security without a boarding pass, yet still needing to get to the gate for onward travel.
For instance, even if your ticket is confirmed, if you do not have a seat assignment and the flight is oversold and checked in full, the airline cannot issue you a boarding pass. For another example, your original flight may be canceled and the airline unable to confirm you on the next flight or two out, but willing to let you stand by for them.
If you find yourself in such a situation domestically, the airline will issue you a Departure Management Card. The actual label may vary— in some cases, it may be indistinguishable from a boarding pass except for being stamped for standby or some such— but in any case it takes the place of the boarding pass and gets you through the security checkpoint. All your other documentation and identification still needs to be in order as usual.
You will be placed on the standby list, from which passengers will receive seats originally assigned to no-shows within the last half-hour or so before the flight. The order on which you are placed on the standby list will vary from airline to airline, each using its arcane balance of frequent flyer status, fare rules, time of check-in, onward connections, and other factors to determine your priority. If they are able to accommodate you, the gate agent will issue you a boarding pass at the gate. If not, you can ask to be placed on the standby list for the next flight.
I have never had to deal with such a situation on an international flight from a country with exit control, and do not know if a DM card would be sufficient to get through it.
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Do you get a boarding pass if you are on standby?
If they are able to accommodate you, the gate agent will issue you a boarding pass at the gate. If not, you can ask to be placed on the standby list for the next flight.Do you have to have a ticket to fly standby?
You Usually Need A Ticket To Fly Standby First, there are two pre-purchased ticket options: flying with an unconfirmed, or a confirmed ticket. You can fly standby with an unconfirmed ticket (you haven't reserved your seat yet), which works well if you have a sense of adventure, patience, and time.How do I board a flight standby?
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.Can you show up to the airport and fly 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.How to Fly Standby: Our MOST ASKED Question!
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