standby priority

Meaning

This term refers to the hierarchical order or ranking system used by airlines to determine which passengers get seats on a full flight when they do not have a confirmed reservation. Priority is typically decided by ticket class, frequent flyer status, or employee benefits.

Examples

• Frequent flyers with elite status are given higher standby priority during flight disruptions.

  Frequent flyers with elite status are given higher standby priority during flight disruptions.

• The gate agent explained that my standby priority was too low to secure a seat on the morning flight.

  The gate agent explained that my standby priority was too low to secure a seat on the morning flight.

• Airline employees traveling on leisure passes usually have the lowest standby priority.

  Airline employees traveling on leisure passes usually have the lowest standby priority.

• Your standby priority is determined automatically by our reservation system based on your fare code.

  Your standby priority is determined automatically by our reservation system based on your fare code.

• Due to her high standby priority, she was the first passenger called when a seat became available.

  Due to her high standby priority, she was the first passenger called when a seat became available.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a top standby priority.

  ✓ I have high standby priority.

  'Standby priority' is typically described as 'high', 'low', or 'first', rather than 'top' directly as an adjective modifying 'priority' in this collocation.

• ✗ He got the seat because of his standby preference.

  ✓ He got the seat because of his standby priority.

  'Preference' refers to what a passenger wants, whereas 'priority' is the official ranking assigned by the airline.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Passengers with full-fare tickets naturally receive a higher ___.

  💡 The ranking system used to clear passengers on waitlists.

  Show answer

  standby priority

• The airline's automated system calculates your ___ based on loyalty tier and booking class.

  💡 The queue order for unconfirmed passengers.

  Show answer

  standby priority