Why does my boarding pass say SBY Air Canada?

SBY is stand by. It's a boarding pass that allows you to go through security and reach the gate. But nothing sure after, so you can get denied at the gate (red *beep* please step aside . Happens a lot on nonrev tickets, and on overbooked flights where there's a slight chance to board due to no show.



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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.

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Standby passengers who don't get seats are rolled into the standby list for the next flight. 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.

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Can you simply show up at the airport without a ticket and expect to get somewhere for cheap? The short answer is no. Airlines no longer allow you to wait around at the counter in hopes of snagging a standby flight and filling the last seat of a departing flight.

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Some airlines will let you phone in or register online to get on the standby list, but these options may only be available for confirmed same-day changes. Others may require you to show up at the airport and speak with an agent or at least use the kiosks at the airport.

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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.

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Standby customers are usually boarded first. If there are seats they get on. Airline employees tend to check the loads before they travel, so if there are no open seats, you typically don't see people try to standby for the flights.

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Standby, on the other hand, involves showing up at the airport without a confirmed ticket and hoping to secure a seat if there are no-shows or last-minute cancellations. While waitlisting is often done in advance, usually online or through customer service, standby is typically done at the airport on the day of travel.

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Unless you pay for a seat, you'll be assigned one either at check-in or at boarding time. You are, however, guaranteed a seat as much as with any other ticket.

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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.

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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.

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