Finding a Red-Eye Flight is as Easy as Booking Other Flights

Red-eye flights, named for the potentially eye-reddening effects of a sleepless night in the skies, offer a way to get to an eastbound locale without losing many daytime or business hours. Since flights typically aren't labeled "red-eye" on airline websites, finding them is simply a matter of searching for late outbound flights.

The Red-Eye Designation

Red-eye flights take off late in the day and usually fly west to east, spanning several time zones. Most red-eyes take off at 9 p.m. or later and arrive before business hours the next day. The difference between a red-eye and other overnight flights is the arrival time. A red-eye flight nearly always arrives at its destination within a few hours before 9 a.m., just in time for the beginning of a new business day. An overnight flight that arrives at 5 p.m. on another continent typically isn't considered a red-eye, as the flight crew treats the final hours of flight time as daytime to help travelers get used to the arrival city's time zone.

Finding a Red-Eye Flight

Red-eye flights are available only on some flight routes, such as Las Vegas or Los Angeles to destinations in the Midwest or Eastern United States and Canada. Search for the last flights leaving your departure city, then note the destination arrival time. A "+1" indicates that the flight arrives the next day. Pick a flight that arrives before business hours to book a red-eye flight.

The Benefits of Red-Eye Flights

Flying overnight has several potential benefits if time is top on your priority list. You'll still have plenty of time to spend a full day in your departure city before leaving, meaning you won't waste valuable daylight hours at the airport. A night spent in the air also means a night that doesn't require a hotel, so you'll save money on a hotel stay by sleeping on the flight. Red-eye flights also tend to be quieter than daytime flights, as the cabin crew dims the lights and many travelers sleep. Even the airport is less noisy at night, as the red-eye flights are often the last ones out each day.

The Drawbacks of Overnight Flights

Flying on a red-eye can be a bit taxing if you don't sleep well on planes. Since it's already the next day when you arrive, it may be time to head straight to a business meeting or to go to the office. If your trip requires a hotel stay, many hotels won't allow guests to check in until 1 p.m. or later, unless you pay for additional time. This means you'll have to do something else while waiting for your room. On the bright side, many hotels will allow you to drop off your bags until your room is ready.

Making the Most of a Red-Eye

To make the best of a red-eye flight, plan ahead. Pack a few light snacks in your bag, as well as an eye mask and either earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. If you plan to sleep through most of the flight, book a window seat so you can lean against the wall or window without being disrupted by fellow travelers. If flight options include business- or first-class seats that recline, the extra expense may be worthwhile to help guarantee a decent night's sleep. When you arrive in the destination city, do your best to adjust to the local time zone, staying awake and grabbing breakfast if it is time for breakfast, for instance. Try to stave off sleep until close to your typical bedtime.

Disclosure Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

About the Author Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others. She enjoys exploring foreign locales and hiking off the beaten path stateside, snapping pics of wildlife and nature instead of selfies.