It's always a good idea to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight, but you actually don't have to arrive extra early if you're flying standby. Most often, airline employees won't be able to help you until they're close to boarding time and have accommodated booked customers.

Yes, you absolutely must be at the airport if you are on standby, and in 2026, you should be at the gate no later than 30–45 minutes before departure. "Standby" means you do not have a confirmed seat and are waiting for a "no-show" or a late cancellation. Airline gate agents move through the standby list with extreme speed during the boarding process. If they call your name and you are not physically present at the podium, they will immediately move to the next person on the list, and you will lose your chance for that flight. In 2026, most airline apps (like Delta or United) allow you to track your standby position in real-time, but the actual seat assignment often happens only after the "final call" for boarding has been made. Furthermore, being at the airport allows you to be "cleared" for security; you cannot clear security on a standby ticket unless the airline has issued you a "gate pass." If you are a "revenue standby" (a paying passenger trying to get on an earlier flight), your chances are much higher than "non-revenue" (employee) standby, but physical presence is non-negotiable for both.