Why does my Air Canada seat say SBY?

What does it mean? Your check-in has been completed, but the flight is full, and we were not able to assign you a seat at this moment. You will get your seat number at the check-in desk or at the departure gate in case if there are seats available.



If your Air Canada boarding pass or itinerary displays "SBY" in the seat column, it stands for Standby. This occurs when you do not have a confirmed seat assignment at the time of check-in, though you do have a confirmed ticket on the flight. This typically happens for one of three reasons: the flight is currently "full" and you are waiting for a seat to open due to a no-show, you are using a same-day standby request to catch an earlier flight, or you are an airline employee traveling on a "space available" basis. For regular ticketed passengers, an "SBY" designation usually means the gate agent will assign your seat shortly before boarding begins. In 2026, Air Canada’s digital systems often update this in real-time on their mobile app, so it is recommended to keep notifications turned on. If you are a revenue passenger (not an employee), you are almost always guaranteed a seat unless the flight is severely overbooked, in which case the airline would seek volunteers to take a later flight.

People Also Ask

The letters SBY appear on a boarding pass when your boarding is subject to space and dependent on the waiting list at the airport to confirm your seat.

MORE DETAILS

It means exactly what it says: an agent will assign a seat to you at the gate. Chances are the flight is overbooked, so they're still figuring out who is flying and who is not.

MORE DETAILS

The exact percentage of airline standby customers who get off the list and into seats on average varies depending on the airline, flight, and other factors. Generally speaking, however, it is estimated that around 50-60% of those listed as standbys are able to board their flights.

MORE DETAILS

Standby passengers typically have priority based on how much they paid for their tickets and their relative status in the airline's frequent flyer program.

MORE DETAILS

First, you cannot buy a ticket for a standby seat if you don't already have an existing ticket. Any potential flyer must have already made a purchase with the intention of hopping on a different flight. Ticketing agents at the airport, or sites like CheapOair, can help you get on the list for a standby seat.

MORE DETAILS

While flying standby offers advantages, it is also never without risk. If you absolutely must be at your destination at a certain time, either plan for a sufficient buffer or refrain from flying standby in that case. Keep the right attitude: As mentioned, standby flying is almost like a game of chance.

MORE DETAILS

Standby fees typically cost $25 to $100, with most airlines charging a $75 same-day change fee. Because flying standby is more expensive and not guaranteed, new travelers may want to avoid standby travel until they have more experience interacting with airlines and navigating airports.

MORE DETAILS

We always try to make sure everyone gets on the flight they have booked, however in those occasional instances where we may have more customers booked than we can accommodate on a flight, we will soon start asking for volunteers to travel on a different route to their destination in exchange for compensation at the ...

MORE DETAILS

It means exactly what it says - Your seat will be assigned at the gate. Usually, this happens when the flight is full, or even oversold. At the time you bought your ticket, you either did not select a seat or no seats were available.

MORE DETAILS

Usually, standby seats are filled on a first come, first served basis. You might not clear on the standby list until boarding is complete.

MORE DETAILS

You will know if your cleared by the boarding pass they give you it will either be a standby pass (no boarding position or a boarding pass with position) if you get a standby pass check in at the counter when you get to your new next gate and let them know your there in case they cannot clef you right then.

MORE DETAILS