Charles Hawtrey wrote:
U.S. carriers generally allow one to fly standby on an earlier flight
than booked (on the same day) if there are open seats, for no
additional charge. The one time I asked about this when traveling on
a flight within Europe the agent politely but firmly said that I could
fly only on the exact flight that I had booked. This was on BA,
flying out of CPH.

Is it general policy within Europe not to allow same-day standbys, or
does it vary from airline to airline or country to country?

Before anyone flames, I'm not arguing one way or the other, just
scoping out the possibilities.


I've done it with Deutsche BA. Turned up at the airport early, and the
previous flight was still checking in. The checkin clerk first said no,
then had a word with the gate manager who ok'd it. I think the later
flight that I was booked on was booked out, so they were quite happy to
get a seat freed up. But, it's not policy.


T.