Does showing up to the airport to buy a ticket actually work?

[holden]

It seems like every time I talk to someone about the price of airline tickets, they always know "someone" who, on the day they need a flight to somewhere, will just show up to the airport hoping to buy a last-minute ticket. That can't possibly work, can it? I don't think airports even have ticket counters anymore. It's just baggage drop-off and ticket pick-up areas. Has anyone tried this?

[goldfly]

Yes

You can go to the airport and buy them at the counter of an airline and buy a ticket for a flight that is leaving that day

Done it a couple times

[Julio3000]

As long as it's one-way and you insist on paying cash. It helps if you're a male 18-40 and sweat a lot.

[Hawk]

You can -- usually the price is exponentially higher though, with the exception of 'no-frills' airlines like Spirit, Southwest, Allegiant, where (especially Spirit) sometimes you can actually score an extremely cheap ticket.

[gilesfan]

It can work. Often though the flights are booked. Also, there is the possibility of flying standby, which equals pretty much a ****ty day of waiting in airports.

[holden]

As long as it's one-way and you insist on paying cash. It helps if you're a male 18-40 and sweat a lot.

This was my thought as well. There's no way you're not going to be get "randomly" frisked.

Also, I should clarify - I meant that people claim you can do this to obtain super cheap tickets. I know you can buy tickets the day-of. I just don't believe you can show up at an airport last minute and get a great deal on a flight.

[goldfly]

Depends on some factors but it can happen

[weso1]

My connection flights to Maine were far from sold out. It's hard to imagine the airliner wouldn't have been willing to sell those at the last minute.