Why Flying Standby Can Be Cheaper or More Expensive: A Comprehensive Guide

Deciding whether to fly standby can be a challenging task. While it often proves cheaper than purchasing a regular ticket, the decision is not a straightforward one. Several factors come into play, affecting the final cost. This article explores the nuances of the situation and provides valuable insights into when flying standby can be advantageous and when it might prove more expensive.

Types of Standby

The cost of flying standby varies based on different factors, such as the type of standby and your status as a passenger. For instance, airline employees often fly standby for free or at significantly reduced rates. Similarly, passengers with flexible tickets may have the option to fly standby for free or at a low cost if they miss their original flight.

Who Benefits from Flying Standby?

Airline employees, especially those in roles like pilots, flight attendants, engineers, and ground crew, often have the privilege of flying standby for free or at a significantly reduced rate. This is due to their employment status and the company's internal policies.

Passenger Status and Availability

Passengers who hold flexible tickets may also have the option to fly standby. However, flying standby is not always a surefire way to save money. The availability of seats is a key factor. During peak travel times, seats can be in short supply. If you can't find a standby seat, you may end up having to purchase a last-minute ticket, which can be considerably more expensive.

Selective Costs

Some airlines still charge for standby tickets, particularly for passengers without flexible fare classes. These fees can add up and make the overall cost of standby flying more expensive. It's important to note that while some airlines offer big discounts on advance purchase standby fares, these discounts may not be as generous as they once were, and there are still risks involved.

One of the biggest risks in flying standby is being bumped from your flight. When crew members, pilots, first officers, engineers, flight attendants, ground crew, airport employees, airline employees, and air marshals want to fly, seats can be bumped even if you are at the top of the list. This means that even if you secure a standby seat, you might still be bumped from your flight.

Historical Trends and Risks

The golden age of standby tickets is long gone. A common scam involved people booking a block of full-fare refundable tickets, often using false names, and then purchasing cheap standby tickets. Just before the flight, they would cancel the original tickets, thereby filling the seats with standby passengers who would fly cheaper. This practice became so widespread that most airlines eventually gave up on standby tickets altogether for several years.

However, with tighter controls and improved procedures, standby tickets have made a comeback. Airlines are now better at predicting aircraft loads and can often fly with all seats filled, leaving no standby space. This makes it more challenging to find a seat when flying standby.

Additionally, some Carriers now offer big discounts on advance purchase standby fares, but it's important to be cautious. Overbooking, which is now a standard practice, has made the situation even more unpredictable. Standby fare passengers often do not receive the same compensation as full-fare passengers who are bumped off a flight due to overbooking.

Conclusion

In summary, flying standby can be cheaper, but it's not a guaranteed solution. The choice to fly standby depends on various factors such as your type of ticket, airline policies, and the specific circumstances of your travel. Always be aware of the potential risks and consider your options carefully.