What is "standby"?

What is "standby"?

Jen Leo (Daily Deal Blogger, LA Times Travel Section) gives expert video advice on: What is the process for checking in at the airport?; What are rules for "carry-on" luggage?; What happens if the airline loses my luggage? and more...

Standby is when you have a ticket for one flight, but you want to go on an earlier flight and get to your destination a little sooner. You check in, see if there are any other seats available on an earlier flight and wait for it. If the seats are empty, you can go standby. One tip for flying standby is to use the check-in desk instead of the kiosk. What you want to do is ask a live person if there is any availability on an earlier flight. They'll be able to let you know and send you to the appropriate gate where you can get your name on a waiting list. Go early, because the sooner you get there the higher up your name will be on the standby waiting list.