Zed INTL/ Jumpseating

USAFplt

USAFplt

Well-Known Member
Hi all,
I'm looking to hop overseas in the next few months with the wife and was looking into options. I know I can buy her a ZED standby fare. As for me..is there any advantage to also purchasing a ZED fare or should I try to jumpseat internationally? I understand that I would not be able to actually sit in the cockpit due to regs, only in the back if there is room. I'm kinda fuzzy on ZED fares for myself and if its worth paying vs. just trying to jumpseat. I would appreciate any info.
 
Where "overseas" are you going? I would highly recommend using a zed ticket on a foreign carrier over jumpseating/zed/pass travel on a US carrier. Besides the obvious level of service, so many people get benefits on US carriers, meaning they're full of non rev pax. Most European airlines have zeds as their employee pass benefit on their own carrier, so no buddy passes, etc, you'd be competing against.
 
I would highly suggest you buy the Zed Fares because it gives you options. You can't jumpseat on int'l (excluding Canadian) carriers. I have heard of people riding in the FD of some European airlines, but I wouldn't count on it. If its a US carrier, when you are at the ticket counter checking in your wife, ask how the load looks to see your chances on getting a free seat by jumpseating. If she says it doesnt look good, then use the Zed to increase your chances of getting on. Remember, if you dont use the ZED fares, you can always return them for a full refund.
 
I'm looking to fly Lufthansa over to FRA from JFK. What I'm dumb on coming from my mil background is what advantage does a ZED hold over jumpseating in the back. Zed fares you pay for and obviously jumpseating is free minus maybe foreign taxes, but do ZED fares have higher standby priority? Thanks for the info.. Just trying to make sense of it. I have no issues buying zed fares if it helps out more etc.
 
There are no jumpseaters on Lufthansa. And they will offer you a cabin jumpseat if you want it (for you and whoever you're traveling with)
 
Lufthansa is one of the few airlines that allows the purchase of Business class ZED fares if your airline supports it.
 
Just to give you a heads up, I've jumpseated on Iberia from BCN-MAD - no ZED fare required. Just show up in uniform (for some reason they require that), airline ID, and US pilots certificates, and the agent will bring you to the Captain to ask for permission. The Captain will most likely say "of course you can, have a seat anywhere you'd like!" and you're on your merry way. Much better than having to buy a ZED! But DO have a backup just in case.
 
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