Taxes and Fees on Standby Flights: What You'll Actually Pay
Part of our complete guide: What Is a Flight Pass and How Does It Work?
Direct answer: On each standby flight you pay only government-mandated taxes and airport fees — not the fare. Domestic U.S. flights are the cheapest; international flights commonly run $80–$250+ depending on the country and route.
Who sets these charges
Governments and airports, not airlines, employees, or us. They include things like security fees, passenger facility charges, customs/immigration fees, and departure taxes abroad. They apply to every traveler, including airline employees themselves.
Typical ranges
- Domestic U.S.: low — often a small fraction of international charges.
- Caribbean/Latin America: moderate; some islands add significant departure taxes.
- Europe/Asia: higher — the UK's departure tax, for example, is one of the largest.
Budgeting tips
- Round-trips incur charges in both directions; some countries tax departures more than arrivals.
- Connecting through cheaper countries can lower total fees on international itineraries.
- These charges are non-refundable through us — see our refund policy.
Related: what is a flight pass · FAQ · apply.
BuyMyFlightPass is an independent travel-access marketplace. We are not an airline and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any airline. Standby travel is never guaranteed — seats depend on availability.