Buddy Passes are standby passes. Essentially you are borrowing your friend's or family's flight benefit. Flying on a buddy pass, you are flying standby. This means you only get on the plane if there are empty seats after all paying customers have boarded.

The difference between Standby and a Buddy Pass lies in the traveler's relationship to the airline and the priority of their seat request. Standby is a general term for traveling without a confirmed seat; this can include paying passengers hoping for an earlier flight or employees using their "non-revenue" benefits. A Buddy Pass is a specific type of standby ticket given by an airline employee to a friend or family member. While both are "space-available" (meaning you only get on if there is an empty seat), Buddy Pass travelers usually have the lowest priority on the standby list, behind revenue passengers, airline employees, and their immediate families. In 2026, Buddy Passes are often cheaper than standard tickets but come with significant risks, as you may wait days at the airport during peak seasons. Additionally, Buddy Pass travelers must often follow a strict dress code (business casual) and represent the employee who gave them the pass, whereas regular standby passengers—such as those on a "Same-Day Standby" request—are simply regular customers looking for flexibility.