Flight passenger's rant about airline standby practices goes viral as record summer travel gets underway
An individual has taken to social media to rant that he or she is "tired of airlines acting like they're doing you a favor for putting you on a flight you paid for" just as the busiest summer travel season gets underway — sparking a heated discussion online among other travelers.
"I book a flight weeks in advance and find out I've been put on standby when I get to the airport," wrote the person in a Reddit post, which elicited more than 5,000 reactions.
"I then get told, 'Oh, you're lucky we got you the last seats available.'"
The person added on the Reddit travel thread, "Lucky? I paid for this flight weeks in advance."
The Redditor went on to say, addressing an unnamed airline in the post, "You oversold the flight and are now scrambling people around and are acting like you're doing me [a] favor for getting me a seat on the flight I originally booked and paid for."
One individual responded to the post, "They will cancel or change the flight at a moment's notice, but if you change it, it's a problem and costs more."
That reply alone attracted some 3,000 reactions.
The vast majority of commenters agreed with the original post and expressed similar levels of outrage.
"They rarely admit fault and if you make a mistake, it usually costs you," said another person. "It would be fair if they took responsibility, especially for overbooking."
"You paid for your ticket. You did your part."
Wrote yet another person in part, "While I understand the concept of positive positioning for customer service, it's insulting for them to use the word 'lucky' here. You paid for your ticket. You did your part. They created a problem and they had to solve it."
Said another commenter, "If you fly first class, they actually treat you like a person once you get on the plane."
Others online shared different perspectives — with some expressing confusion about the situation described.
"Did you make sure to check in 24 hours in advance?" wrote one person. "Some airlines will release your seat to standby if [you're] not checked in by the last hour or so."
Others also said they've never been bumped and asked the original poster for more details.
"I have never experienced that," wrote one person. "I don't take that many domestic flights, but I do travel quite a lot internationally. I [have] never been bumped or had my ticket canceled."
Said another person, "This has never happened to me. Ever."
Wrote someone else, "Did you buy a basic fare with no assigned seat? I'm confused as to how they could move you to standby."
With July 4th just up ahead, Americans are predicted to set a travel record this year to celebrate during the nation's 249th birthday.
AAA released its "Independence Day Travel Forecast" report, finding that 72.2 million people will travel at least 50 miles from home this July 4th, Fox News Digital previously reported.
The forecast looks not just at the Fourth of July but at holiday travel spanning from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 6.
The 2025 report is predicting an increase of 1.7 million travelers compared to last year, while determining there will be seven million more travelers compared to 2019.
Over 60 million Americans are set to drive to their destination, which is a 2.2% increase from 2024.
Of the millions predicted to travel, 8% or 5.84 million Americans will be flying to their destinations.
About 4.78 million travelers will be taking other forms of transportation such as cruises or trains.
Ashley DiMella of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.
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What to do: Those entering Germany from within the Schengen area should be prepared to show valid travel documents at border crossings. It is recommended to carry identification at all times. Exercise a high degree of caution; Why: Crime remains the main safety concern in Costa Rica, particularly in areas popular with tourists. Theft of passports and valuables is frequent, especially during high season. Pickpockets often work in teams, focusing on travelers in restaurants, bus terminals, hotel lobbies and national parks. Distraction techniques are common. Certain areas of San José, the Pacific coast, including Jacó and Manuel Antonio, and parts of the Caribbean coast, like Puerto Viejo and Cahuita see higher rates of reported incidents. What to do: Avoid isolated areas, especially after dark, and be cautious when withdrawing money or using public transit. Keep your passport on you, along with the Costa Rican entry stamp, but secure it when possible. Minimize signs of wealth, and don't carry more cash or valuables than necessary. Stay alert in crowds and in known hotspots and report any thefts immediately to local authorities. Take normal safety precautions; Why: Demonstrations in Los Angeles and other major cities have prompted an increased security presence and the possibility of sudden curfew orders. Local authorities may restrict movement with little notice, and gun violence can be a concern. The high rate of firearm possession and the legal right to carry weapons in many states contribute to the risk of being caught in a mass shooting, even if tourists are not typically targeted. What to do: At the border, be prepared for detailed screening by U.S. authorities. Entry is never guaranteed — even for travelers with valid documents — and border agents have wide discretion, including the authority to search devices and to detain individuals who are denied entry. Remain co-operative and ensure your documents are in order before travel. smisenheimer@ Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Canada Day tourism season looks strong as bookings climb in Ottawa Committee OK's airport-area housing project despite noise concerns
