A go-show is a ticketed passenger who shows up early at the terminal to request a seat on a departing flight ahead of their scheduled itinerary. Gate agents and check-in staff process these requests by placing the passenger on a standby list. Unlike a no-show, this passenger is physically present and ready to fly, often filling empty seats that would otherwise go to waste.
Heard on the job
We've three go-shows waiting at the gate for the 402, so clear those standby seats if the final manifest holds.
Insider tip
Gate agents love a polite go-show because it helps clear out the backlog before weather or delays hit later in the day.