Flight check-in agent reveals meaning behind 4-letter code on boarding pass

Selling more tickets than seats is a common practice for airlines, and if you don’t check-in on time you might be left behind, a former check-in agent has warned.

Have you ever been in a situation where you've been told your flight was overbooked? As a former check-in agent, reporter Ashley Bautista often had to deliver that kind of news - especially during the peak travel season.

When it comes to booking flights, it’s not all about buying tickets and showing up at the airport - although it should be as easy as that. If you don’t check in before the departure time, you’re at risk of your seat being taken by someone else and receiving a standby ticket.

For context, a standby ticket, also known as ‘STBY’, is given to someone who works in an airline. It is often viewed as a perk for working in the company an in some cases can be extended to personal use for friends and family. These tickets are heavily discounted, but prices vary depending on the route. It also doesn't guarantee that the person will get on that flight, it's all circumstantial.

The STBY tickets are not just perks - they are also given to passengers who haven’t checked in online and have come to the check-in desk, often late, just to be told that the flight is overbooked. In other words, a passenger with a Standby ticket will fly only if there’s an open seat available.

This also depends on the priority list and the number of people waiting behind.

Empty seats mean less money for the airline. To avoid having empty seats due to cancellations, flight delays or no-shows, it’s typical for airlines to oversell their seats, as this ensures using the entirety of their flight capacity. According the Independent, easyJet estimates that 5% of passengers won’t arrive at the airport on time, or simply won't show up.

Other reasons why passengers are given a Standby seat, applicable depending on the airline’s policies and type of ticket purchased:

• To get an earlier flight (must be booked on a later flight)
• After missing a flight
• After missing a connecting flight

Having to wait until the end to see if there’s any space is frustrating, especially when you’ve spent hundreds or even thousands of pounds on a ticket. During my time working as a check-in agent, it was a situation of luck.

When a flight is overbooked, the airline looks for volunteers willing to take on a later flight in exchange for compensation. This usually includes a meal voucher for a confirmed flight for the next day and even accommodation for the day.

If there aren’t enough volunteers, those who have stayed behind with a ‘Standby’ ticket will receive the same compensation. Nonetheless, it's worth checking with your airline for more detailed information.

Although it’s not a good situation to be in, this is a reminder for passengers to check-in online as soon as it becomes available to avoid these problems and a disruption to your travels. Every day counts, especially when you're on holiday!