Flying standby

I have never flown standby but would like to surprise my dad for his 75th in a few weeks. I figure there are enough flights during the day to and from Toronto that I'm sure I'd get a seat on a flight. I would have the time to head to the airport early, do work while I wait till I get on a flight.

So has anyone flown standby from YVR, know the drill and the cost?

I know Air Canada does not sell standby tickets to the general public. They are for employee's, and dependants. For family members there are buddy pass tickets, but you need to fly with the employee.

It's been a long time since I've heard of anyone flying standby. 10 years ago, when I travelled a lot for work, it seemed like almost every flight had several standby passengers, but a lot of the flights were also pretty empty. Today, I think it's pretty common for flights to be overbooked to make sure they are full.

Aside from business reasons, I think the events 11 years ago today made it less desirable to have people just hanging around an airport hoping to get on a plane.

I think the only standby you can get now is if you've already purchased a ticket, then show up early that same day and ask an agent for an earlier flight. If there's a spare seat you can grab it. You don't save anything, though there is a very tiny chance that you get bumped to biz class on the earlier flight.

Kn.

All the above comments seem correct, however I just booked a return flight to TO and back for $ 500.00
Flights are chearper these days as long as you book 2 weeks in advance of your flight or with an even greater buffer.
Under 2 weeks and you pay and arm and a leg

there's pretty cheap flights available right now. lots of seats on Air Canada midweek in 2 weeks for 541$ (tx and fees incl).

Flights to/from Toronto are usually pretty full, in my experience.

Have yourself delivered in a box by regular post. As a bonus you can surprise your dad when you pop out of the box.

As a bonus you can surprise your dad when you pop out of the box.

/Marilyn "happy birthday, Mr. President…"

OK, that was creepy.

Thanks for the info.

I agree flights aren’t too expensive right now but was looking into standby because it would be good to save some bucks and I got the time to wait, I don’t have enough air miles right now, and I know I’ll be heading to TO for X-Mas and flights are ridiculously expensive right now. Might be the year the family comes to the Coast and spends Christmas with me.

If you think flights are expensive now, wait until you see how much they are at Christmas…