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.

Seeing "Standby" on your boarding pass typically means you do not have a confirmed seat assignment for that specific flight at the moment of check-in. This often happens if the flight is overbooked and the airline is waiting for "no-shows" to see how many seats are actually available. It can also occur if you are an airline employee traveling on a "buddy pass," or if you have requested a same-day flight change to an earlier departure. In some cases, it simply means the "basic economy" seats haven't been allocated yet, and you will receive your seat number at the gate. If you are on the standby list, you should stay near the gate area and listen for your name; gate agents usually begin clearing standby passengers about 15 to 30 minutes before departure. If you don't clear, the airline will typically roll you onto the standby list for the next available flight to your destination.

If your boarding pass says “standby,” it typically means that you do not have a confirmed seat on the flight and are waiting for a seat to become available. There are several reasons why this might happen:

1. You’re Flying Standby

• Voluntary Standby: You may have chosen to fly standby to try to get on an earlier or later flight than your originally scheduled one.
• Involuntary Standby: The airline may have placed you on standby due to overbooking, flight changes, or other operational reasons.

2. Flight Overbooking

Airlines sometimes oversell flights to account for no-shows. If more passengers show up than there are seats, some passengers may be placed on standby.

3. Missed Flight or Connection

If you missed your original flight or a connecting flight, the airline might rebook you on standby for the next available flight.

4. Ticket Type

Some tickets (e.g., discounted or non-revenue tickets) may only allow standby travel rather than confirmed seating.

5. Operational Issues

If your original flight was canceled, delayed, or changed, the airline might assign you a standby status on the next available flight.

What to Do:

• Check with the Gate Agent: Speak to the gate agent for clarification and to understand your chances of getting a seat.
• Arrive Early: If you’re on standby, arriving early can improve your chances of securing a seat.
• Monitor the Boarding Process: Stay close to the gate and listen for announcements about standby availability.

If you’re unsure why you’re on standby, contact the airline or check your booking details for more information.