Do these still exist post-9/11? How does it work nowadays if they do? Can I just turn up at the airport and hang around 'til something comes up? I haven't flown often but last time we flew Canada to UK the plane was 3/4 empty.

They have wait lists for sure. I think they are essentially the same thing. If seats are available, you get your ticket. I'd book online though to guarantee a price.

Hmm I wanted to reply to this sooner as I was sure that they did still exist, but when I looked them up even Wikipedia gave a list of what a standby flight is and it seems they were talking about them in the sense that a) you turn up early or late to a flight and therefore go on standby for the next available, or b) family and friends of crew can take any available seats if no member of the public is waiting for it.

Obviously just because Wikipedia doesn't mention it doesn't mean they don't exist (I sometimes forget that - oops)! Try calling one of the main airlines you'd be travelling with and they should be able to tell you yae or nae immediately.

I remember asking for one from Bangkok to London one year as I extended my original flight date. Now of course I had the return portion of my ticket.

I was wait listed for a number of flights on different days as the planes were full. They said that if I went to the airport and waited until they were about to close check in then I would likely get on a flight within a couple of days as some people always cancel or don't turn up. I didn't want to do that so I waited for a guaranteed slot.

I don't think they will sell you a ticket these days without a given departure date and time. Quite different from going back on the return half of your ticket. Then I guess you could be on standby.

Thanks guys!! - I just wondered if anyone had recently showed up at an airport ticketless and managed to get on a flight. Were looking to fly from Toronto to either Heathrow or Gatwick. Thanks once again!!

Whilst most carriers do charge the earth for one way, some are better than others. Of course do the expedia / ebookers / your fasvourite web search but also have a look at http://www.ba.com http://www.thaiair.com and http://www.etihadairways.com as they all seem to offer better than historical o/w prices (from Asia admittedly) at the moment.

they are live and kicking.
my mother works in an air line company which gives me the benefit of flying stand by - on an empty seat basis...
if u bought a ticket and u would like to use before your offical flight, then u can step to the counter and ask to be a stand by, and u will have a priority on a person like me - who counts as an employee.
when i was in thailand ive seen a couple who bought a ticket and wanted to use it before their offical flight and they have been refused due to the lake of empty seats

That depends on the type of ticket you've purchased. Unless you've purchased a full fare ticket there is normally a penalty to pay for changing the date.

The problem is / was since 9/11 airlines reduced capacity and increased the overbooking. What used to be a 3/4 full flight to the UK is now often resulting in people being bumped. In addition, most airlines have added all sorts of rules and fees to change tickets, such that it can be a real pain to switch to a different day, even if you'll be in the 'standby' group.

You might check the flyer talk forums for your airline. You'll get some advice from the hard core flyers over there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles-points-1/

I have asked for space on an earlier flight and not been charged a fee for it. I mean, I've arrived at the airport early and asked if there was space on an earlier flight and got it.

The big problem is checked luggage, as they won't let you fly on a different plane. But if you're traveling with only carry on, it can work.

But I don't think they have stand by like they used to. IIRC it was a set price, and about half a regular ticket, but you weren't guaranteed a seat, so you had to buy the ticket and then hang around until a seat was available.

Bev

flyglobespan has really good rates...they did go to stanstead but stopped since...darn

so did you sell your house? did i miss a post?

OUr house is on the market and have to viewings sunday...gulp!!!

What about if you purchase a return ticket...from your destination country dont bother using the first flight and just use the return section on a set date. Just its cheaper for me to book flights in the UK than it is for me to fly one way from here!

I believe most, if not all, airlines cancel the return flight if the outgoing flight isn't used.

Thanks!! Back to the drawing board!

IATA ticketing rules do not allow for the self-purchase of return flights that do not originate from the country of purchase.