Odds of getting a stand-by seat on July 4th in the US
I'm needing to fly one way from SEA to MCI on 4th of July weekend. I work for an airline (a cargo airline) and I'm planning on purchasing non-rev interline standby tickets. I have some flexibility since I don't have to be back in KC until the 6th. Being that the 4th is on a Monday would I have better luck getting a seat ON the 4th or should I plan on trying to get out Sunday night? I've heard Sundays are usually bad, but I have no idea how Monday holidays affect things.
Most likely airline would be Alaska Airlines. They have the most non-stop flights between SEA and MCI.
Best Answer
Odds are pretty bad since your ticket is just about the lowest in the pecking order and it's a really busy travel weekend.
You can monitor prices for the flights: if they go up, seats are filling quickly. If they stay or go down, there is plenty open.
Current low bidder for 7/4 is Alaska at $160 non stop. 7/3 seems fuller: American offers a one stop for $170 and the cheapest non-stop is $250.
I'd recommend taking the 7/4 $160 option right now. It's a guaranteed non-stop as compared to a nail biter.
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How often do people on standby get a seat?
Same day standby: Your seat is not guaranteed. You'll wait and will be assigned a seat if one is available prior to departure. Same day confirmed: No guessing games with this option. You'll confirm a seat and feel confident you're getting on the plane.What are the best days to fly standby?
The basic rule about choosing the best day of the week to fly is Tuesday or Wednesday. They not only tend to be the cheapest days to fly but less busy as well. Since there are fewer people who would like to fly mid-week, Tuesday and Wednesday are also the best days to fly standby.Is standby first come first serve?
Check-In Early Also, when it comes to flying standby, passengers are oftentimes chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the earlier you check-in, the more apt you'll be to scoring a seat on the flight.Does standby usually work?
Waiting on standby can mean a much better flight schedule than you had originally booked and can even save you a nice chunk of money, but unfortunately, that doesn't always work out. If you want to make the attempt, you must know how to increase your chances to succeed.The best times to travel over July Fourth weekend | Morning in America
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