Lessons From My First Standby Flight: What You Need To Know Before You Try It

You know that “I don’t think I’m going to make my connecting flight” feeling? I took action to avoid a missed connection, which meant joining the standby list. If it worked, I would fly from Chicago to New York City on a morning flight, rather than waiting for my delayed afternoon flight.

Spoiler alert: An agent at the Delta Sky Club secured a confirmed seat for me on the earlier flight, which prevented a ripple effect of problems when the delayed afternoon flight ultimately got canceled.

I was honestly clueless about the process of flying standby until I arrived at the Delta check-in counter. I learned a few things along the way, such as what you can (and can’t) see about your flight in the mobile app, rules for visiting the lounge, what to do with checked luggage, and how the process of getting on the plane works for standby passengers.

Here’s a closer look at what I learned along the way.

Why Was I Flying Standby?

It was the perfect storm — literally and figuratively.

I was in Chicago for the Chicago Seminars, an annual conference about points and miles, and it snowed that weekend. That always creates problems at Chicago O’Hare (ORD).

This was also the same weekend that the Federal Aviation Administration reduced air traffic capacity during the government shutdown. Thus, some flights were canceled due to a required scale-down in flight traffic, while others were delayed or canceled due to weather-related issues. The departures board at the airport had a lot of bad news.

I had a Delta flight from Chicago to New York (JFK) before a Virgin Atlantic flight to London that I’d booked with points — though that was on a separate ticket from my Delta flight.

When I woke up on the morning of my flight, I saw that my Delta flight was predicting a 2-hour delay. While I had a 4.5-hour connection in New York City, I was concerned about needing to collect my checked suitcase, check in for a new flight, and go through security. The delay meant I’d have only 2.5 hours to do all of that. I decided to try flying standby for the first time after seeing there was a nonstop Delta flight from Chicago to New York earlier in the morning.

Delta’s mobile app made it easy to join the standby list. It was one of the options available while reviewing my flight delay, along with rebooking for a different day or canceling my flight altogether.

What I Could (And Couldn’t) See in the Delta Mobile App

On the day of my flight, after joining the standby list for the morning flight, I immediately saw the list of standby passengers, along with those on the upgrade list. My name didn’t appear on the first page of results, as numerous people joined the list. I was number 13 on the standby list, and the app told me there were 10 open seats.

By the time I arrived at the airport, I had dropped to number 16 on the list. Delta employees informed me that those with Delta SkyMiles elite status were given preference over those without it, such as myself. However, I was told that having a Delta co-branded credit card would keep my name above those who didn’t.

I was able to check my luggage and drop it off, even without a confirmed seat on the morning flight. The friendly employee said my luggage wouldn’t be loaded onto the plane if I didn’t board.

While waiting for my flight, the Delta app kept displaying information about my original, confirmed flight — the afternoon departure — when I tried to check my gate number, track my incoming aircraft, or obtain other details about my flight.

However, it was easy to see the standby list and check my position.

Once the flight had boarded and the standby list was closed, it was also easy to see which names had received a confirmed seat. Interestingly, only 6 names cleared the standby list — despite the app telling me earlier that there were 10 open seats. Thus, I learned not to rely on that number for judging my chances of getting a seat.

Can You Use TSA PreCheck With a Standby Ticket?

To my surprise, my standby ticket in the app showed TSA PreCheck — so I could use the PreCheck lanes for expedited security.

Can You Access Airport Lounges When Flying Standby?

“I’m flying standby. Can I come in?” I wasn’t sure what the answer was when I approached the Delta Sky Club.

The friendly agent at the desk responded with his own question: “Why are you flying standby today?”

I explained that my afternoon flight was delayed, and I was worried about the connection to my Virgin Atlantic Upper Class flight later in the day, so I had joined the standby list. Since I was flying business class with one of Delta’s SkyTeam partners later that day, the desk agent admitted me to the lounge. He said he likely would’ve admitted me regardless, given that the lounge was mostly empty, I had a confirmed Delta flight later in the day, and I had my Platinum Card^® from American Express in my hand, which grants 10 visits to Delta Sky Club lounges each year when flying Delta that same day.

Lesson learned: Being friendly can help you gain access to the lounge even when you don’t have a confirmed seat on a flight. Having a premium seat with the airline’s partner, even on a separate ticket, can also help.

The real kicker, though, was that the agent took me off the standby list and confirmed a seat for me, treating me as a business class passenger from a partner airline.

Airline Lounge Access Policies Related to Flying Standby

• Amex Centurion Lounges: The access policy states that you can enter up to 3 hours before a confirmed same-day departure and must present your boarding pass.
• American Airlines Admirals Club: The access policy states that you need a same-day boarding pass; however, it doesn’t mention a confirmed seat, leaving it open to interpretation.
• Capital One Lounges: The access policy states that all visitors must present a boarding pass with a confirmed seat assignment for a flight departing on the same day; entry is possible up to 3 hours prior to departure.
• Chase Sapphire by The Club Lounges: According to Chase’s website, you need a valid boarding pass to enter, and you can do so within 3 hours of departure. It doesn’t specifically say you need a confirmed seat; this policy is open to interpretation for standby travelers.
• Delta Sky Club: Guests need a same-day boarding pass; the terms don’t say your boarding pass must show a confirmed seat assignment or discuss standby passengers.
• Priority Pass: Lounges are operated independently and not owned by Priority Pass; each sets its own rules. That means policies can be open to interpretation, as many of them don’t say specifically whether standby passengers can enter.
• United Club: According to United’s policy, you need a same-day boarding pass. It doesn’t mention a confirmed seat or otherwise discuss those flying standby.

Boarding as a Standby Passenger

I wasn’t the only passenger with questions on this flight. Multiple passengers approached the desk to ask about joining the standby list, how they could move up the list, and what would happen if their names didn’t clear for a seat assignment.

Gate agents explained the boarding process and standby process over the intercom, explaining that the normal Delta boarding process would happen first. Passengers who’d already received their seat assignments could view their boarding pass in the app or approach the desk to obtain one.

After the boarding process was completed, any remaining seats would be filled in order from the standby list. That means standby passengers shouldn’t leave the boarding area until the door closes. Passengers might not show up, opening additional space for standby passengers.

Given the small size of my plane on that particular day and the fact that the overhead bins filled up quickly, passengers from the final boarding group and the standby list were required to gate-check their carry-on bags and leave them on the jet bridge to be stored under the plane.

Final Thoughts

I recently flew standby for the first time and learned a few valuable lessons along the way. With a combination of snow on the ground, weather-related problems, and government shutdown issues, I didn’t think I would make my connecting flight in New York City once my Delta flight out of Chicago started showing a 2-hour delay.

I learned that holding an airline credit card, elite status, or a seat in a premium cabin — even on an unrelated ticket with a partner airline — can help you move up the list. I also learned that you can use TSA PreCheck with a standby ticket, which may allow you to access the lounge, but the overhead bins will likely be full by the time your name clears the standby list. However, gate-checking your bag is probably worth it in exchange for getting on the plane as a standby passenger.