When you purchase an airline ticket, you are usually able to select your seat ahead of time when you book your flight. However, sometimes when flights are full, airlines will overbook flights, knowing that a certain percentage of passengers will likely miss their flight for one reason or another. In these cases, some passengers may not get a seat assigned to them when they initially book. This leads to the question – if you don’t have a seat assigned when you first buy your ticket, does that mean you will be flying standby?
Definition of Standby
Flying standby means you do not have a confirmed seat assignment on a flight. Instead, you are placed on a standby list and will only get a seat if there is space available after all ticketed passengers have boarded. Typically, standby flyers include airline employees, passengers with flexible tickets that allow standby, and travelers willing to take a chance on grabbing any empty seats for a lower fare. Standby flyers board after all assigned seats have been filled.
No Seat Assigned vs Flying Standby
Simply not having a seat assigned when you first purchase your ticket does NOT necessarily mean you will be flying standby. Most of the time, no seat assigned just indicates that the airline could not guarantee a specific seat when you booked. However, you are still considered a confirmed passenger on the flight. The airline will assign you a seat at airport check-in or at the gate, after accounting for all passengers with assigned seats. You will not fly standby unless your ticket specifically states “standby.”
When You Might Not Get a Seat Assignment at Booking
There are a few common situations where you might not get a seat assignment when you first buy an airline ticket:
Overbooked Flight
If a flight is oversold, the airline may limit seat assignments to prevent assigning more seats than are available on the plane. In this case, some passengers may not get seat assignments. You will likely get a seat at check-in or at the gate as long as you are not bumped from the overbooked flight.
Basic Economy Fare
If you book a Basic Economy fare, many airlines do not allow you to select a seat when booking. Your seat will be assigned at check-in or at the gate. Basic Economy is a discounted, no frills fare that comes with several restrictions.
Infant without Purchased Seat
Infants under 2 years old can fly for free on most airlines but do not get their own purchased seat. If you are traveling with an infant without a ticketed seat, you will not get a seat assignment at booking. The airline will assign your infant a seat with you when you check in.
Group Bookings
Sometimes groups or families, especially large ones, are not able to select seats when booking together. The airline holds group seat assignments until check-in to make sure everyone can sit together.
Does No Seat Assignment Guarantee Flying Standby?
Simply having no seat assigned during ticket purchase does NOT mean you will definitely fly standby. Here are some ways to tell if you will be standby or have a confirmed seat:
Check your boarding pass
When you check in and get your boarding pass, check if it says “Confirmed” or “Standby.” A confirmed boarding pass means you are guaranteed a seat, while a standby pass means flying standby.
Read the fine print when booking
Pay attention to the wording when purchasing your ticket. Some discounted fares are advertised as standby or not guaranteed. Read all disclaimers about seat assignments and status when buying.
Call the airline
You can always call the airline directly and ask an agent to confirm if your ticket allows a definite seat assignment or standby only. They can look up your reservation and clarify any confusion.
Check your confirmation email
Airlines usually indicate in your confirmation email if your fare allows seat selection at booking or if seats are assigned at the airport. It may specify “Standby” for fares that are not guaranteed.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Getting a Seat
If you do end up without an assigned seat, either because the flight was full or you booked a basic fare, here are some tips to help get a seat assignment at the airport:
Check in online as early as possible
Most airlines assign specific seats on a first come, first served basis. Check in online as soon as the option opens, usually 24 hours before departure.
Arrive at the airport early
Get to the airport with plenty of time before departure so you can approach the gate agent as soon as boarding pass and seat assignments open.
Ask at the customer service desk
Customer service agents can sometimes assign seats in advance, before gate agents have access. Stop by their desk after checking your bag.
Be flexible
If you don’t care where you sit, let the agent know you are flexible. They have an easier time assigning open middle seats.
Travel lightly
Gate agents may prioritize seating passengers without large carry-ons that won’t fit underseats. Travel light for a better chance.
Consider a gate agent’s perspective
Gate agents have a tough job so be extra nice and patient. Anger or threats will not get you a seat.
What Happens If I Don’t Get a Seat Assignment?
In very rare cases, you may not get a seat assignment when boarding your flight even if you are not on standby. Here is what happens:
You will wait at the gate
The gate agent will inform you that you do not have an assigned seat. You will need to wait until after final boarding.
The gate agent will find you a seat
After all ticketed passengers board, the agent starts designating seats for passengers without assignments based on availability.
You may get a middle seat
To accommodate everyone, you will likely be offered any remaining open seats including middle seats.
You can get bumped from an oversold flight
In very rare instances on oversold flights where more passengers show up than there are seats available, you risk getting bumped if you don’t have a seat assignment.
You will still fly – or get compensation
Rest assured – if you are not flying standby and have a valid ticket, the airline must accommodate you on the same or next available flight. If they cannot do so, you are entitled to compensation under federal law.
Am I Guaranteed a Seat Assignment?
Whether or not your ticket guarantees a seat assignment depends on a few factors:
Fare class purchased
Most standard economy fares allow advance seat selection. Basic economy fares usually assign seats at the airport. First/business classes include assignment.
Route and demand
High demand routes are more likely to sell out and may limit advance selection compared to less popular routes.
Booking timing
Booking last minute gives fewer options for specific seat assignments since many are taken.
Group bookings
Airlines cannot guarantee specific seats will be together for large group bookings.
Aircraft size
Smaller planes fill up faster than larger ones limiting seat selection.
Airline policies
Some airlines are better than others at managing seat assignments and overbooking. Check policies.
So while seat assignment is likely if booking early, no airline can 100% guarantee your preferred seat on any given flight. But rest assured you will have a seat somewhere on the plane barring any oversales. Patience and flexibility help secure seats at the airport if needed.
What if My Assigned Seat is Unavailable?
Sometimes even if you have an advance seat assignment, you may get to your seat on the plane and find it unavailable due to maintenance issues, upgrades, or aircraft swaps. Here’s what to do if your pre-assigned seat on your ticket is not actually there or accessible on the plane:
Notify a flight attendant immediately
Let a flight attendant know your assigned seat is unavailable as soon as you board. Don’t just take another open seat.
Have your boarding pass ready
Show the flight attendant your boarding pass with the original seat assignment so they can verify you.
The airline will reassign you a new seat
The attendant will work to find you another open seat of equal or greater value as soon as possible.
You may get priority re-seating
Passengers who lose their pre-assigned seats often get priority when flight attendants scramble to re-seat displaced passengers.
Compensation may be available
Depending on the airline, you may be able to request some form of compensation if reassigned to a lower cabin class or undesirable location.
Complain respectfully
Politely voicing disappointment about losing your preferred seat is fine but becoming angry or confrontational never helps the situation.
Summary and Conclusion
Having no seat assigned during initial airline booking does not automatically mean you will be flying standby. You only fly standby if your ticket specifically states it. Most passengers without advance seat assignments still have confirmed tickets and will get a seat at airport check-in or the departure gate. In very rare cases of overbooking, you may get bumped if you have no seat assignment, but airlines must compensate you. To maximize your chances of your preferred seat, book early, check-in immediately when available, arrive at the airport early, travel lightly, and be nice to gate agents. While advance assignments are never 100% guaranteed, most passengers ultimately get a seat even if not their first choice. With airline seating, flexibility and patience provide peace of mind when plans go awry.
