Red eye flights are late-night or overnight flights that depart in the evening (often after about 9 p.m.) and arrive early the next morning, usually before 5–7 a.m. They’re called “red eye” because passengers often end up tired with bloodshot eyes from not getting a full night’s sleep.

Quick Scoop

What exactly is a red eye flight?

  • A red eye flight is any commercial flight that runs through the night, with takeoff at night and landing the next morning.
  • Typical timing: departs around 9–11 p.m., arrives around 5–7 a.m., though exact times vary by route and airline.
  • The name comes from the red, tired eyes people get after trying (and often failing) to sleep on the plane.

You’ll mainly see them on longer routes where flying overnight makes sense, like U.S. West Coast to East Coast or international trips that cross several time zones.

Why do people take them?

Many travelers choose red eye flights on purpose, even though sleep can be rough.

  • To save time : You travel while you’d normally be sleeping, then land with a full day ahead at your destination.
  • To save money : These flights are often cheaper because they’re at less popular hours.
  • To avoid crowds : Airports are quieter at night, with shorter lines and less chaos.
  • To skip a hotel night : If you sleep on the plane, you can sometimes avoid paying for an extra night of accommodation.

Business travelers and short-trip tourists use them a lot so they can work or explore during the day instead of losing daytime to flying.

Downsides and things to watch

Red eye flights come with some trade-offs.

  • Sleep can be poor or fragmented , leaving you groggy or less alert the next day.
  • Your body clock/circadian rhythm can get thrown off, especially if you cross multiple time zones, increasing jet lag.
  • Families with young kids or people who already struggle to sleep on planes often find them especially tiring.

Despite that, they’re considered as safe as daytime flights; the main issue is how you feel afterward, not the flight’s safety itself.

Simple tips if you ever book one

If you do end up on a red eye, small adjustments can make it less brutal.

  1. Pick a window seat if you can, so you can lean against the wall and aren’t disturbed by seatmates getting up.
  1. Bring basic sleep gear: neck pillow, light blanket or sweater, eye mask, and earplugs or noise‑cancelling headphones.
  1. Wear soft, loose, breathable clothing to stay comfortable in cool cabin air.
  1. Go easy on caffeine and alcohol before and during the flight, drink water instead, and eat a light meal.
  1. Buckle your seatbelt over your blanket so crew don’t have to wake you if the seatbelt sign comes on.

In travel forums, people often describe red eye flights as a trade: “You pay with sleep to buy time and money,” and whether it’s worth it depends on how well you personally handle sleeping on planes.

TL;DR: Red eye flights are overnight flights that leave late, arrive early, and trade comfort and sleep for cheaper fares, fewer crowds, and more usable daytime at your destination.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.