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Non-rev tips from experienced staff travellers
Non-rev (non-revenue) travel means flying on a staff ticket, usually on standby. These are habits that experienced staff travellers mention again and again; they're recommendations, not airline rules, so your airline's rules always come first. New to standby? Start with How to fly standby.
Start with the flight: compare estimated open seats before you list.
Check loads in the appBefore you go
- Avoid peak travel months. When everyone goes on holiday (summer, school breaks, the end of December), standby is hardest. Some airlines also block staff travel on busy dates or routes, so check for embargoes. Fewer people fly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays than on Fridays and Sundays, but airlines also run fewer flights then, so compare the loads.
- Take the first flight of the morning. If you don't get on, you have the whole day to try again. The last flight of the day is the riskiest.
- Plan the way back first. Before you fly out, make sure the return trip looks possible; for international trips, check whether you need proof of onward travel: a standby ticket may not count, so ask your staff travel department.
- Pack for a night out. Carry a charger and a warm layer, just in case.
Luggage
- Hand luggage makes standby easier. If you can, travel within the smallest cabin allowance on your route: on some airlines that's a single bag (Smartwings, TUIfly), on others a bag plus a small personal item. With hand luggage you can switch flights, check in at transit desks where that's allowed, and won't be stuck without your things overnight. Tag your bag in case it has to go in the hold at the gate.
- Travelling for longer and need to check a bag? That's fine, just plan for it. Rules differ by airline: on British Airways, you tag your bags first and drop them only once you're accepted on the flight; on Finnair, you must fly on the same flight as your checked bags; on Canadian North, bags are loaded only if there's space and may arrive on a later flight.
- Expect to collect bags at connections. On standby, bags often aren't checked through: on Air France they can't be checked through to a connecting flight, so leave time to collect and check them in again.
- Keep the essentials with you. Medicines, documents, chargers and a change of clothes go in your hand luggage, and some airlines carry staff bags without liability for loss, as Flair Airlines says in its rules.
At the airport
- Come early, and stay close until the door closes. If the flight is half empty, you may get your seat early: on Philippine Airlines, if the flight is open you're accepted as soon as you check in. On fuller flights, seats often free up at the last minute, and the agent may give yours to the next person if you're not at the gate.
- Be patient with gate agents. Don't argue at the desk; wait to be called, and accept the seat you're given.
- You answer for your guests. Rude behaviour from anyone travelling on your benefits can cost you your travel privileges.
- Help other staff travellers. Standby works because staff help each other, and the help comes back. If you can see flight loads at work, you can answer load requests from other staff in Staff Airlines as an agent and earn tokens you can exchange for Premium.
Questions, answered
What's the best time to fly standby?
Usually the first flight of the morning, midweek and outside holidays and school breaks.
What should I wear when flying standby?
Something neat and clean that suits the airline you fly. Most airlines only ask you to look tidy; some, especially in the Gulf and Asia, don't accept shorts, flip-flops or short skirts. Check the airline's rules in our catalog. See also Step 4 of How to fly standby.
Rules change often and this guide may be out of date. Check with your airline's staff travel department before you travel. Staff Airlines isn't responsible for denied boarding, missed flights or other losses. Found a mistake? Let us know.
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