Travel Glossary · Air Travel
Red-Eye Flight
Definition
Red-Eye Flight: A red-eye is an overnight flight that departs late in the evening and arrives early the next morning, named for passengers’ tired, bloodshot eyes.
Classic red-eyes run west to east across the US, such as Los Angeles to New York, leaving late in the evening and landing early in the morning after about five hours in the air. Because you also lose three hours to time zones, the night is short. Long-haul overnight flights to Europe and beyond work on the same principle.
For business travelers, a red-eye can save a hotel night and a day of travel, at the cost of arriving tired. Some travel policies address this, for example by allowing a premium cabin on overnight flights or a later start the next day. A lie-flat seat, offered on some premium transcontinental routes, changes the equation considerably.
To make a red-eye work, sleep as early in the flight as you can, go easy on alcohol, and get daylight on arrival. Our jet lag guide has more strategies.
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- Travel GuidesHow to Beat Jet Lag: A Practical, Science-Based PlanHow to beat jet lag: shift your sleep before you fly, use light and meal timing to reset your body clock, and recover fast after eastbound or westbound flights.
- Travel GuidesLong-Haul Flight Tips: How to Arrive Rested and ReadyLong-haul flight tips that work: choose the right seat and flight, pack a smart carry-on, reduce blood-clot risk, and sleep better so you arrive ready to go.
- Corporate TravelExecutive and VIP Travel ManagementExecutive and VIP travel planned around how your leaders work: preferred seats, Virtuoso hotel perks, discreet handling, and a backup plan for every leg.
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