Gone are the days of running to the airport ticket counter and hopping on a cheap standby flight. The threat of bankruptcy and new safety guidelines have the majority of airlines saying no way to last minute travelers with no ticket. But purchasing a ticket and following these steps may have you flying high sooner than expected.
Purchase an airline ticket that has you leaving on or shortly after the day you want to travel. The easiest way to find the lowest price and availability is to use a travel agent or on-line travel service.
Plan to only travel with a carry-on bag, as checked luggage can cause problems for the airline and run the risk of your luggage being lost.
Determine how much time you want to wait at the airport for an open seat on an earlier flight. Some airlines have limits on how soon you can check in, so you will need to confirm with the airline how soon you can arrive before your scheduled flight leaves.
Travel to the airport and check-in at the airline station. Ask the airline official if there are any openings on earlier flights. If so, you can decide if the earlier flight is good for your plans or if you want to try to get an even earlier flight.
Proceed to the gate and make sure to put your name on a standby waiting list for an earlier flight, if such a list is available.
Prepare to wait and see what flights become available for you. If nothing comes available, then you can take the flight you are scheduled for.
