Take off at sunset, land at dawn, and it can become your best travel ally if you know how to face it. Do you still need more clues?
What is a red eye flight? The answer is simple – and even a bit silly: that's the term for commercial flights that depart at night and arrive at their destination the following day. As it is often difficult to sleep on airplanes, these flights can cause fatigue, insomnia, and red eyes, hence the name. It doesn't sound very appealing at first glance, does it? However, there are some not-so-obvious advantages that once you read them, they will make you want to fly at night – keeping your eyes as white as the clouds.
Why should you book a red eye flight?
1. Late-night flights are usually cheaper (and less crowded!)
Let’s face it, spending a whole night on a plane is something not everyone is willing to do – you will after reading this – but the airlines still need to book as many seats as possible. The outcome is low fares, sometimes even half the price of its diurnal equivalent. But they never reach total capacity, so the opportunity to have a whole row for yourself alone and be able to sleep pleasantly increases exponentially. Bonus: As there are fewer people, restrictions on hand luggage are usually not as strict.
2. Airports become less stressful
On both ends! Airport peak times often happen during the day, so check-in and security checkpoints are deserted at night, making that traumatic process smoother. Morning schedules also tend to have fewer planes landing, so luggage will appear in the belt earlier than usual. This also avoids rush traffic hours if you go to – or from – the airport by car.
3. Days are better spent
Having as many hours as possible available on both leisure and business trips is always desirable. Red eye flights allow you to enjoy that much-coveted first or last day of holidays almost entirely. Are you tired when you arrive? As the flight takes place during the night, it is easy to fall asleep, so your usual schedule is not interrupted. You won't have the sense of wasted time that airplanes and airports always cause.
Long flight essentials to get out the most from red eye flights
Let’s be clear: the best way to optimize a red eye flight is sleeping. So to make the most of its advantages, be sure to bring a few items in your carry-on luggage that make the plane seat as close to your bed as possible.
A toothbrush and some toothpaste
If you usually brush your teeth before going to bed, why not keep that routine inside the plane? Not only will it keep your mouth clean after dinner, but it will also help your brain believe that bedtime is approaching. Tap water from airplane sinks isn't always the safest in terms of hygiene, so if you have a reusable bottle of water, use it.
A travel pillow
Whether you're fortunate enough to have more than one seat to stretch out, or if you must finally remain seated through the flight, a good rest can only be achieved if your head is properly supported. Go Neck Pillow, with its 360º ergonomic design and customized fit, offers full neck support that makes the experience incredibly comfortable.
An eye mask
Although a red eye flight occurs at night and therefore the plane is usually dark, emergency lights or the cell phone screen of the passenger next to you can make falling asleep a nightmare. With its ergonomic 3D design, Eye Mask provides a total blackout so that no ray of light will disturb you during the entire flight.
Earplugs
Noise is the worst enemy of sleep. And planes are very noisy, especially in the area closest to the wings and in the back rows. In addition to the engines, the continuous movement of people parading down the aisles creates a hostile environment to sleep peacefully. Luckily, small earplugs can block much of that noise, isolating you from the outside world for as long as it takes.
What is a red eye flight? Now that you know how to get the most out of it, the answer is even simpler: your best travel ally.
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Photo by Daniel Olah on Unsplash
Photo by Nacho Fernández on Unsplash
