Question: Travelling as a "Stand By" Passenger

[stevemej]

Now that I am a member of this forum there IS one thing I have often wondered about:

Is there really such a thing as 'stand by' flights. In the past I have heard anecdotal stories of people who turn up at the airport first thing and say " I want a cheap flight somewhere warm" and just sit and wait for a suitable flight.


I suspect this is an urban myth but as I'm here i thought I would just ask.


regards


steve

 

[Aviador]

You used to be able to rock up at the airport and request to travel as a standby passenger but I'm not too sure how many airlines offer this kind of service anymore. I am pretty sure you can book onto most scheduled flights up until the last minute. At the terminal this would normally be done through each airlines handling agent unless the airline in question has it's own dedicated handling, in which case they will have their own information desk and booking facility. Bmi mainline (now part of BA) certainly used to offer standby seats. In cases whereby passengers didn't turn up, their seats would then be offered to 'standby' passengers at a reduced cost.

 

[stevemej]

Maybe I'll ask next time I'm at the airport. Besides the saving there is something quite exciting about not knowing where you're going.

thanks for the reply.