SW Does not do stand by.

[NancyIL]

I've flown on Southwest only once, and that was in 1997. I didn't know they don't allow standy-bys - and I also don't understand the reasoning. If they have room on their flight, then why not fill it with the first people to request to be on the stand-by list? That frees up space on later flights.

I usually fly American, and on a few occasions I've been able to stand-by for an earlier flight. I LIKE it that way.

 

[ducklite]

I've flown on Southwest only once, and that was in 1997. I didn't know they don't allow standy-bys - and I also don't understand the reasoning. If they have room on their flight, then why not fill it with the first people to request to be on the stand-by list? That frees up space on later flights.

I usually fly American, and on a few occasions I've been able to stand-by for an earlier flight. I LIKE it that way.

They do'nt want people buying rock bottom discounted fares on later flights expecting to get on an earlier flight and then having a hissy fit when there isn't room.

 

[NancyIL]

They do'nt want people buying rock bottom discounted fares on later flights expecting to get on an earlier flight and then having a hissy fit when there isn't room.

So it's because Southwest is a CHEAP airline? Delta also doesn't allow stand-bys, and they usually don't have fares as low as SW's DINGs.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I'm still sitting here wondering who in their right mind would drag their kids to the airport to try and get a flight 4 hours early. Ugh. I wouldn't do it just because of the prospect of spending that long in the airport with the kids. If I want an early flight, I book an early flight.

Leaving Orlando last month, we saw yet another group of like 6 people with one baby trying to board between A and B. They were pretty strict...parents and sibs ONLY.

 

[NotUrsula]

I also don't understand the reasoning. If they have room on their flight, then why not fill it with the first people to request to be on the stand-by list? That frees up space on later flights.

SWA prices their flights based on demand. The more popular a flight is, the more expensive the fare will be, and the fewer discounted seats will be available on it. Most of the time the late flights to resort destinations are the lowest-demand, thus the cheapest. If SWA allowed discounted fare passengers to stand by for earlier flights at no charge, it would become a popular way to beat the fare system, and throw their load factor calculations all to hell and back.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So it's because Southwest is a CHEAP airline? Delta also doesn't allow stand-bys, and they usually don't have fares as low as SW's DINGs.

Cheap airline? No. Sensible and well-run business? Sure. As posted above, Southwest chooses not to allow stand-by access on discounted fares. Common sense. I can get a Ding! fare for $82 to Las Vegas - the flight requires a change of planes and takes a total of just over seven hours. Why should I be able to get on an earlier flight at that rate, when the lowest fare available to purchase right now is $199?

 

[CarolA]

So it's because Southwest is a CHEAP airline? Delta also doesn't allow stand-bys, and they usually don't have fares as low as SW's DINGs.

Actually Delta does do Standby. If you aren't an elite member of their FF program it's $50. Otherwise no go.

More and more airlines are going to this. If you want a different flight then the one you booked you pay.

 

[NancyIL]

Actually Delta does do Standby. If you aren't an elite member of their FF program it's $50. Otherwise no go.

More and more airlines are going to this. If you want a different flight then the one you booked you pay.

I paid $25 once to get a confirmed seat on an earlier flight, back when Delta still flew from my home airport. They raised that to $50? That's not the same as flying "stand-by." On American, you can take your chances on flying stand-by, or pay $25 (unless it has gone up) for a confirmed seat.

Airtran and Southwest both fly out of Indianapolis (2 hours away), and their fares are often comparable. (Airtran also flies out of Bloomington, IL - an hour away.) Airtran let me fly standby on a flight out of Orlando. In fact - the agent gave me an assigned seat on an earlier flight, so I didn't have to wait until all the passengers boarded to know if I would be on that flight. So - unless SW has a killer DING out of Indy, I doubt I'll start flying them.

 

[CarolA]

Delta is up to $50. (I think, I am now Gold so I don't pay.)

As for who in thier right mind would drag thier kids to the airport early ....

I really think that the woman had always planned this. It sounded to me like she could not get the DING or sale fare on the earlier flight. She told the agent she called the day before and they told her there were "LOTS" of seats and it would be fine to fly standby. While I believe the "LOTS" of seats, I have spoken with SW a LOT and I don't believe the later half o the statement. I think she found out from SW that the flight was only half full and figured "I can pull this off, the later one is full" Nope! It's just not the way they work. If you want "el cheapo" then you fly the route. The woman told someone in the airport while she was storming around throwing her fit that "I would have booked this if they had LET me" Since it wasn't sold out I think they would LET her, just not at "el cheapo" fare LOL!

Now personally I think they have some of the most forgiving policies in the industry. They are the ONLY airline who does not charge penalities for things like changing flights etc.

This is from Airtran's website
Changes to Flight Itineraries

All AirTran Airways fares are non-refundable (except Business Class) and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Customers not sure of which flight they may want also have the option of placing unused airfare in a credit file for one year from the date of the original itinerary booking, for a fee of $75

Most of the others work the same way. If you get one of the $150 round trips to MCO and have to cancel you have lost half your value... with SW you still have ALL the value.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I paid $25 once to get a confirmed seat on an earlier flight, back when Delta still flew from my home airport. They raised that to $50? That's not the same as flying "stand-by." On American, you can take your chances on flying stand-by, or pay $25 (unless it has gone up) for a confirmed seat..

American does work it differently than many legacy carriers. Once you are a ticketed passenger, you may fly standby on any other direct or non-direct connection that day between the same two cities, free of additional fees. They do not care what fare you paid or what booking class was ticketed. Like you state above, if you want that flight change confirmed (meaning you have a seat assignment before the boarding process begins) it will run you $25. Same goes for tickets purchased with Aadvantage miles, except you will not be charged the $25.

 

[shoes99]

Delta is up to $50, even if you are flying on ffm. I arrived in Atlanta from Phoenix this past Monday at 7:25PM. My connection was 9:30PM, I tried to get on the 8:15PM and they wanted $50. I waited for the 9:30PM.