standby list

Meaning

A standby list is a register of passengers who do not have a confirmed seat on a flight but are waiting at the gate to see if any seats become available due to cancellations or no-shows. It is a neutral term used frequently by airline staff and travelers. Passengers on this list are called standby passengers.

Examples

• Since our original flight was cancelled, the agent put us on the standby list for the next one.

  Since our original flight was cancelled, the agent put us on the standby list for the next one.

• I was number five on the standby list, but luckily I managed to get a seat.

  I was number five on the standby list, but luckily I managed to get a seat.

• You can check your position on the standby list using the airline's mobile app.

  You can check your position on the standby list using the airline's mobile app.

• Flying on a standby list is risky if you have to be somewhere on time.

  Flying on a standby list is risky if you have to be somewhere on time.

• The gate agent called three names from the standby list just before closing the boarding door.

  The gate agent called three names from the standby list just before closing the boarding door.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am waiting on the stand-by queue.

  ✓ I am on the standby list.

  While it is a queue of sorts, the official and idiomatic term used by airlines is standby list.

• ✗ I booked a standby list ticket.

  ✓ I am flying standby.

  You do not book a standby list ticket. You either fly standby or are placed on the standby list.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If the flight is fully booked, you can ask the agent to put you on the ___.

  💡 The list of travelers waiting for empty seats.

  Show answer

  standby list

• We didn't get seats because there were already twenty people ahead of us on the ___.

  💡 The waiting list at the boarding gate.

  Show answer

  standby list