Last second airport flights - A go'er or a myth?

Chrispy_2

Myself and my friend have found our selves with 5 days off work from now, we were discussing in the pub the possibility of turning up at either Liverpool or Manchester airport and going to all the desks trying to get on a last minute flight for cheap, is this possible or is it just a myth?

Voyager2002

A myth.

Look on-line or ask agents about last-minute deals.

Chrispy_2

So I'd be wasting my time going to the airport then?

phatbear

Or aquaint yourself with the search facility on this site where this question gets asked on a regular basis.

I can only talk for ryanair/easyjet ie low budget, but the way they make real money is people turning up at the airport needing to get somewhere straight away, ie buis folk for last minute meetings etc.

Only way you'll get a cheap holiday is to pitch up at a travel agent and tell youve got "x" amount of money and are free tommorow to fly anywhere, but even then its pot luck.

all the best

the bear

richardw

Chrispy wrote: »

So I'd be wasting my time going to the airport then?

Yes. Check https://www.ryanair.com for flights.

dklunan

Not entirely a myth....

If you or your friend work in the travel industry (for example any of the airlines/tour operators/air traffic control/etc) then it is indeed possible to get last minute standby tickets at prices of up to 90% off on carriers such as Lufthansa amongst others.

sloppychops

dklunan wrote: »

Not entirely a myth....

If you or your friend work in the travel industry (for example any of the airlines/tour operators/air traffic control/etc) then it is indeed possible to get last minute standby tickets at prices of up to 90% off on carriers such as Lufthansa amongst others.

I doubt they would be here asking for advice though if they worked in the travel industry.

vikingaero

I used to do this 20 years ago and more often than not it worked. We said we had £50 to get somewhere in Europe and the standby seats would be discounted. It generally won't work now since the advent of the internet, high air taxes, high fuel prices and the security aspect of knowing your passengers details as far in advance as possible.

mrg9999

Years ago, the 80's and 90's I did lots of courier flights, training lfights, they were often short less than 2 hours notice, often with fairly dubious credentials (ticket name, not matching passport etc) all this evaporated after 911. My company had an internal lottery to carry financial data on Concord twice a week, which I was once lucky enough to win.
I've never understood why on business I can check in minutes before the flight and still be rushed through, but coach, you have to be there at least 1 hour before.

dzug1

Chrispy wrote: »

So I'd be wasting my time going to the airport then?

Well yes and no. You'd probably get a flight but you would have to pay through the nose for it.

Nobjocki

Chrispy wrote: »

Myself and my friend have found our selves with 5 days off work from now, we were discussing in the pub the possibility of turning up at either Liverpool or Manchester airport and going to all the desks trying to get on a last minute flight for cheap, is this possible or is it just a myth?

Put it this way - Ryanair's Michael O'Leary has often said his favourite passengers are people going to funerals.
They need to travel at the last-minute and they'll pay whatever it takes to get there.
Go figure.