First Red Eye Flight

[Anonymous]

Booked my first ever red eye flight from west coast to DC. I’ve flown overnight to Europe, since most flights to Europe do this, but this is my first domestic red eye. The fare was half the price of the morning and afternoon departures. I’m wondering what to expect. Mostly I’m curious if red eye flights are as full as other flights. It would be great if this was the case.

[Anonymous]

They're pretty short for overnights. You might sleep, but be prepared to be adobe the next day because while you lane at 6am you feel like it's 3am.

[Anonymous]

a zombie*!

[Anonymous]

I’ve done this from Vegas to Atlanta. It was great. My entire row was knocked out sleep. I must’ve drifted off right after takeoff, and I didn’t wake up until they told us to prepare for landing. Felt like the quickest plane ride of my life, lol.

I woke up so refreshed. Loved getting in early, had my whole day ahead of me. I’d definitely do it again.

[Anonymous]

They are typically full because they are typically the cheapest fares.

They are miserable. I stopped doing red eyes in my late 30s when I decided I was too old for that inconvenience. Nobody at my office flies red eyes anymore.

I wish they had more nonstop International flights during the day. Flying overnight is miserable.

[Anonymous]

There will be babies and toddlers who cry throughout the flight. Bring headphones.

[Anonymous]

Are you a person who can sleep on a plane easily?

For me a “red eye” from the west coast means riding in a plane for some portion of the middle of the night while exhausted and not sleeping and arriving feeling like utter shit and then a terrible day.

If you do sleep in a plane, you’re getting 4-5 hours sleep max coming east.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve done this from Vegas to Atlanta. It was great. My entire row was knocked out sleep. I must’ve drifted off right after takeoff, and I didn’t wake up until they told us to prepare for landing. Felt like the quickest plane ride of my life, lol.

I woke up so refreshed. Loved getting in early, had my whole day ahead of me. I’d definitely do it again.

This has to be sarcasm, right, PP?

[Anonymous]

You're usuall in the air for about 5 hours eastbound, but if you add the preparing the cabin for landing and making various announcements on departure, there's really about 4 hours max of time when the cabin is quiet and you can rest. They dim the lights and everyone tries to sleep. How well that works is up to you.

So you arrive with only haflf a night's sleep.

The alternative is a day flight, but you lose the day due to timezones. For example the 8:30am flight from SFO arrives at 4:30pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are typically full because they are typically the cheapest fares.

They are miserable. I stopped doing red eyes in my late 30s when I decided I was too old for that inconvenience. Nobody at my office flies red eyes anymore.

I wish they had more nonstop International flights during the day. Flying overnight is miserable.

This is OP. Price is exactly why I booked the flight. It was half the price of the day time flights. This is a significant amount of money for a family of four. I am hoping the flight will be half full, but we’ll see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are typically full because they are typically the cheapest fares.

They are miserable. I stopped doing red eyes in my late 30s when I decided I was too old for that inconvenience. Nobody at my office flies red eyes anymore.

I wish they had more nonstop International flights during the day. Flying overnight is miserable.

+1. They are for amateur fliers who are looking for cheap seats. Except in extreme emergency, I’m way over them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are typically full because they are typically the cheapest fares.

They are miserable. I stopped doing red eyes in my late 30s when I decided I was too old for that inconvenience. Nobody at my office flies red eyes anymore.

I wish they had more nonstop International flights during the day. Flying overnight is miserable.

I wish they had more intl flights during the day too. I guess the reason they don’t is airlines depend on connections to fill the planes.

As for domestic red eye flights, you often save on the fare and save a night’s hotel.

[Anonymous]

Just don’t plan much for the day of arrival. Make sure you have early check in available.

[Anonymous]

Noise cancelling headphones
Eye mask
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I have taken a daytime flight to London at least three times. Wish there were more to Europe. But then I can’t sleep easily on planes. I think I did twice: long flights to Asia + business class+ Ambien.