You can make a night flight a success, and don’t let it ruin your trip. The real issue is not the actual flight but rather the next morning after the flight.
On the surface, getting an early start on your day sounds great. However, arriving at the airport at six o’clock in the morning and getting off an airplane with groggy eyes and a fuzzy mind can completely ruin any travel plans that you’ve made. The result of a red-eye flight (and everything that goes with it): jet lag, sore muscles and no energy to do anything.
The good news is that a nighttime airplane flight has many perks. For example, because they typically cost less, people can save money on accommodations for that night, and they have a longer vacation time because they get to their destination sooner and forgo having to pay for a hotel room for one night.
So the key is to learn how to take advantage of your nighttime flight properly.
If you approach your nighttime flight as you would with any other travel day, you are going to end up suffering. If you approach it as a planned sleep opportunity, you will be much better off.
Reasons Why Night Flights Have Their Benefits
Many travelers will choose to fly in the middle of the night for the very reasons stated above. There are generally lower ticket prices, easier access to quieter airports and less chance of any schedule conflicts.
But, the reality is not about flying late at night; it is about how your body responds physically when it has to adjust to inactivity during a normally active sleep cycle.
When traveling to another time zone, jet lag can be very annoying because your internal body clock will be confused. However, there is good news – you can train yourself before, during and after your travels so that you can minimize jet lag.
Trying to survive a night flight
Prepare Yourself for The Flight – Start BEFORE You Ever Leave
You can help prepare your body for this change by gradually changing your sleep cycle/schedule in the days leading up to your departure. This will allow your body to adjust better to its new environment.
Select Flights That Fit Your Sleep Patterns
You will find that it’s difficult to get any sleep on a flight if you typically fall asleep around 11:00 PM. If you have a flight that is scheduled to leave late enough so that you can fall asleep at around the same time as you would on a regular basis, then this will benefit you greatly!
Select Your Seat Carefully (Surprising!)
Choose an aisle seat if possible. You won’t be asked to get up to let someone by, and there will be fewer people moving past you as they walk down the aisle. If you want to avoid constant noise and movement, choose a seat away from the restrooms.
Bring your own sleep kit
Bring an eye mask, neck pillow, noise-canceling headphones and warm socks if possible. The more your brain is able to associate “bedtime”, the more likely you will be able to fall asleep comfortably.
Sleep – Don’t Let It Be Your Enemy!
Night flights are short enough that if you skip eating, you can sleep a little longer than if you had eaten during the flight. So make sure you do not eat or drink anything while on the plane, and instead, use your own beverage that is hydrating, plain water is best.
After you land, don’t hurry off the plane. Spend a few minutes relaxing yourself, by washing your hands, brushing your teeth, and doing some stretches. This will help your brain switch gears faster.
Flying at night is not bad; however, being unorganised leads to stress. When you prepare your body properly, make wise decisions about food and drink, and protect your sleep, your night flights can be a positive experience instead of a nightmare.
So when you see a cheap overnight flight, relax. You can fly much smarter and have a much better experience.
