Free tickets are available on flights the airline you work for operate as well as ones you don't. What most airlines do is arrange with each other to offer seats on aircraft that are not full to other airline's employees.

Yes, in 2026, airline ticket agents (often classified as Customer Service Agents or Ground Crew) typically receive "non-revenue" travel benefits, commonly known as standby travel. This means agents can fly for free or at a significantly reduced cost (usually just paying taxes and security fees) on their own airline. However, these flights are not guaranteed; the agent is only given a seat if there is an empty one available after all paying passengers have boarded. Many airlines also offer "ZED" (Zonal Employee Discount) agreements, which allow agents to fly on partner airlines at a deeply discounted rate. These benefits often extend to immediate family members, such as spouses, children, and sometimes parents. While it is a highly coveted perk, it requires flexibility, as agents can be "bumped" from multiple flights in a row during peak travel seasons like summer or Christmas, making it a "high-risk, high-reward" way to see the world.