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What is a Red Eye Flight?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A red eye flight is a flight which takes off from one location late at night, and arrives early the next morning. The slang term for these night flights comes from the idea that many people deplane with reddened eyes caused by lack of sleep. Since most airlines and airports are capable of operating at night, red eye flights are very common in many countries, and frequent fliers often wind up on these flights because of the perceived convenience and reduced expense.

For an airline, red eye flights allow the airline to reposition planes and crew to prepare for the flights it has scheduled for the next day. Since many planes might be moved anyway, the airline figures it might as well break even or perhaps profit by selling tickets on late flights. As an incentive, tickets on a red eye flight may be cheaper than tickets for more coveted daylight flights, and many airlines have a red eye schedule which is designed to be convenient for people like executives, who may want to hit the ground running on the other end, and head directly from a red eye to a meeting or event.

Using a sleep mask can make a red eye flight better.
Using a sleep mask can make a red eye flight better.

Passengers sometimes find red eye flights convenient as well. Transitioning between time zones, for example, is often easier when people can sleep on a plane and then stay awake all day at the destination, rather than when people arrive in the evening or at night and try to force themselves to sleep. A red eye flight can also sometimes be more enjoyable, since these flights tend to be less crowded, and sometimes people can get upgrades to better seats more easily on a red eye.

Traveling between time zones is often easier when people can sleep on a red eye flight.
Traveling between time zones is often easier when people can sleep on a red eye flight.

When taking a red eye flight, it's a good idea to pack some supplies. A small travel pillow, sleep mask, and a set of ear plugs or noise-canceling headphones can be quite useful for people who want to try sleeping on the plane, as can a soft, lightweight blanket. Grabbing a window seat, if possible, will also increase comfort, since sleepers can lean on the window to sleep. As a general rule, the front of the plane is quieter, since it is far from the engines, and emergency exit and bulkhead rows provide a bit more legroom to stretch out in. Packing water or buying water after security is also advised, as it can be difficult to stay hydrated on a plane.

Sitting in an exit rows often offer more leg room, which can be useful on a red eye flight.
Sitting in an exit rows often offer more leg room, which can be useful on a red eye flight.

Many red eye flights run West to East, which means that a few hours of potential sleep could be lost. While it may be tempting to sleep upon arrival to make up for lost time, seasoned travelers do not recommend this. It's better to be active after a red eye flight to accustom yourself to the new time zone and to stretch your body after the long flight. While it's not a good idea to make major plans for an arrival day, wandering around a park, shopping, or making a lunch date can be a great way to stay alert.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WikiMotors researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

submariner

Everyone knows about the cheap red eye flights, but there are other airline discounts that can be had for last minute travelers. If you are trying to fly last minute, you may be able to get a discounted first or business class flight for less than a full fare coach ticket. The fares are called Y or Q fares, which correspond to the discount code for upper tier seats when the seats have not been filled prior to take-off. Airlines would rather sell these seats then send the plane empty, but the only way to get the discount is to ask. The best part is that the seats do not say first or business class so it will be acceptable for passengers flying on company expense. This is probably part of the reason that these seats are made available at or below full fare coach prices as well. For planned trips, a red eye is the cheapest, but for last minute travel, you may be able to score a first class spot for less than the price of coach.

cougars

@ Parmnparsley- You got lucky with your red eye flights. It seems like every time I book a red eye flight I get stuck on a lane that is packed with fussy children and cranky passengers. I never get any rest on the red eye, making the first day at my destination miserable. What airline do you fly...I have to book my tickets with them.

parmnparsley

I prefer to take the red eye as often as possible when I travel. The red eye flight deals are nice, but even better is the lack of crowds and lines. Some airports have fewer amenities after ten pm, but there are also far fewer people, getting to the airport is easier than during rush hour, and finding an empty row in coach is not impossible. I also find that these flights tend to be on time or early more so than the daytime flights. There are fewer flights operating at the airports, so taxing and air traffic is not as bad. I have never spent hours on the runway during a red hour flight, but I have during daylight flights.

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    • Using a sleep mask can make a red eye flight better.
      By: Phoenix
      Using a sleep mask can make a red eye flight better.
    • Traveling between time zones is often easier when people can sleep on a red eye flight.
      By: Ruslan Olinchuk
      Traveling between time zones is often easier when people can sleep on a red eye flight.
    • Sitting in an exit rows often offer more leg room, which can be useful on a red eye flight.
      By: andyh12
      Sitting in an exit rows often offer more leg room, which can be useful on a red eye flight.
    • Many red eye flights run west to east.
      By: dutchpilot22
      Many red eye flights run west to east.
    • Noise canceling flights can help shut out distractions so passengers can sleep during red eye flights.
      By: ILYA AKINSHIN
      Noise canceling flights can help shut out distractions so passengers can sleep during red eye flights.