What it is. A standby list allows you to change to a different flight if a seat becomes available. It's an option if you're hoping for an earlier flight or if your flight has been canceled or delayed. Flying standby with us is free and easy, but there's no guarantee that you will get a seat while on a standby list.

No, standby tickets are never guaranteed. Flying standby is essentially a request to occupy a seat that remains empty after all confirmed passengers have boarded. Whether you are a "voluntary" standby (trying to get home earlier) or an "involuntary" standby (missed a flight due to a delay), you are placed on a prioritized list. In 2026, the priority is usually determined by your airline loyalty status, your original fare class, and the time you checked in. You will typically only know if you have a seat in the final 10 to 15 minutes before the cabin door closes. If the flight is full or overbooked, you will be rolled over to the standby list for the next available flight. For this reason, standby is only recommended for solo travelers with flexible schedules and no checked luggage, as your bags may not always follow you onto a last-minute flight. Always have a "Plan B" hotel or alternative route in mind when attempting to fly standby on high-demand routes.