Flying standby over the holidays

Check for embargoes first

An embargo means staff travel isn't accepted on a flight, a route or a date range, even if there are empty seats. Some airlines set them around peak dates:

• ANA embargoes Japan domestic flights from December 23 to January 10, and also from March 20 to 31, from April 25 to May 10 and from August 1 to 20.
• Air Niugini applies embargoes during public holidays and peak periods.
• British Airways embargoes BA133 and BA132 between London and Jeddah during Hajj, for both duty and personal travel.
• Air New Zealand may temporarily embargo flights for interline staff travellers when commercial demand is high.

Others don't, but their flights fill up: Royal Air Maroc doesn't usually set embargoes, yet its flights in peak seasons are often full.

If you book in myIDTravel, current embargoes are in its embargo section: myIDTravel guide. Otherwise ask your own staff travel office. Having a ticket doesn't mean the flight is open to you.

Arrive earlier than usual

Peak days mean longer queues, and some airlines ask for more time. Royal Air Maroc, for example, asks you to check in 3 hours before international flights and 4 hours before long-haul ones in peak periods such as school holidays, an hour more than off-peak. Check-in closes 60 minutes before departure.

The usual check-in times for each airline are on its page in the airline catalog.

Travel light

On a full flight, weight can matter as much as seats. Etihad, for example, can't accept standby passengers on flights with payload or weight restrictions, even if there are empty seats. Flights from Abu Dhabi to Boston, Washington Dulles, New York JFK, Chicago and Toronto may have heavy restrictions in summer and winter; Sydney and Melbourne may be affected too.

Travelling with a cabin bag only also lets you switch to another flight or airline quickly if you don't get on.

Staff travel offices close on holidays

If your plan needs a ticket, a listing or a change by email, do it before the holiday. Some staff travel offices close on public holidays:

• Air Niugini works Monday to Friday and is closed on weekends and public holidays.
• Pacific Coastal Airlines and Harbour Air are closed on Canadian statutory holidays.

Harbour Air, for example, handles requests sent on a holiday on the next business day.

Pick flights with room and keep a backup

Over the holidays the first flight you like is often the wrong one. Plan it like this:

1. Look at several days. Compare loads on the days around your date, not just one flight (in the app, dates other than today are in Premium). The day before or after a peak day may have more room.
2. Choose two or three candidates. Pick the flights with the most open seats, on routes with several flights a day, so there is a next option if you don't get on.
3. Plan a backup route. If the direct flight is full, a connection through another hub can work. More on that: Standby connections.
4. Check again close to departure. Holiday loads change fast. Check the day before and on the day, and ask someone who works for the airline when you need the real count.

More on reading loads: How to check flight loads.

Compare holiday flights in the app

Bringing family

Many staff travel with family over the holidays, and full holiday flights are when a group is hardest to board together. Check how your airline lists companions and whether they can travel without you, and have a plan if only part of the group gets on: Flying standby with family.