Travel alerts straight to your inbox:

Standby: Something US Air Actually Does Right

March 6, 2008 at 2:46 PM | 0 Comments

If you are use to watching VH1 reality marathons on JetBlue, or CNN election results on Virgin America, boarding a US Airways flight is a big-time let down. The planes look like they just got out of Dr. Brown's 1985 DeLorean, and the in-flight entertainment is, um, pretty much flight attendants reading advertisements. (No joke; be sure your iPod is charged and loaded.

But there's one thing that'll help. With oil prices going up by the day, airlines are forced to make their hay elsewhere. On most carriers, that means change fees--once a flat 50 bucks--are now a profit center. Nowadays, you'll pay maybe $100 and the difference in airfare.

When it comes to standby, many airlines will not only make you pay, but they'll keep you in the dark until there is no way for your bags and you to make it to your port of call at the same time.

In San Juan, US Air has gone to an almost exclusive kiosk set up. (It's similar to the set up at most other airports.) What if you want to go standby? All you have to do is swipe your credit card at the kiosk and you'll be prompted if an earlier flight is available. It basically works the same as those at-the-last minute upgrades you can buy.

For us, the cost was $25. Pay, then check your luggage and you're good to go. While $25 is different thatn free, it certainly is a worthwhile price to pay for the convenience of changing your flight, if that's something you need to do.

So while US Air isn't gonna win any awards for the prettiest planes in the skies, you stand a great chance of making it home hours earlier for just 25 bucks.

: / / /

Author Photo: markj by markj

0 Comments

Return to » Standby: Something US Air Actually Does Right

Leave a Comment

Not yet a member? Click here to become a member.
Already a member? Login below:

Nickname:

Password:

Send us a tip