Unlike trains, flights in India rarely have a "waitlist" system. But there are situations where standby applies. Here's how it works.
Flights vs Trains — Key Difference
- 🚂 Trains: Have a formal waitlist (GNWL, RLWL) that clears as people cancel
- ✈️ Flights: Airlines don't sell waitlisted tickets — every ticket is confirmed at purchase
- ⚠️ Exception: "Standby" at the airport when your original flight was cancelled or you missed it
When Standby Happens
- ❌ Missed flight: Some airlines let you fly standby on the next flight (usually with a fee)
- 🔄 Flight cancellation: Airline puts you on standby for next available flight
- 🔁 Same-day change: Air India and Vistara (now merged) sometimes allow standby for earlier flights
What to Do
- 📞 Call immediately: Don't wait at the airport — call the airline's number
- 🏃 Airport standby: Go to the check-in counter, not the gate
- 💡 Be flexible: Standby works better on routes with multiple daily flights (DEL-BOM, DEL-BLR)