Call the airlines and inquire about standby flights. As of August 2011, some airlines allow you to make changes to your itinerary over the phone and online while others require passengers to be at the airport. Some allow customers to get on the standby list at the airport within 24 hours of their original flight. This will save you an unnecessary trip to the airport if you can get on the standby list via the phone or online.
Obtain a new itinerary for a standby flight. Time frame regulations differ per airline. Some airlines require that your standby flight must be within three hours prior to or after your original flight. Fees may apply if standby flights are scheduled outside that time frame. Your airline may allow passengers to obtain standby flights as early as 24 hours prior to their scheduled flight. Generally, your standby flight must be for the same destination and with the same airline only.
Obtain the standby flight itinerary. If you're at the airport, the airline representative will print an information card for your standby flight. This is not a confirmed or guaranteed boarding pass. You will have to wait for your seat confirmation at the departure gate. Typically, your seat will get confirmed once the other passengers have started to board the plane. An airline representative may call your name at the departure gate if a seat is open on the selected flight, and your information card may be replaced with a boarding pass.
Hold on to your confirmed flight reservation in case you do not get the earlier standby flight you asked for. If you are attempting to schedule a standby flight later than your scheduled flight, hold on to the reservation information for reference.
Confirm your seat ahead of time by paying a fee. Some airlines charge a fee, perhaps of $50, to confirm a standby flight. This means you will receive a boarding pass similar to your original itinerary and you do not have to wait at the departure gate for a confirmed seat.
