Is it better to fly long haul at night or day?

Okay, let’s delve into the day vs. night long-haul flight debate. I’m approaching this from the perspective of someone who prioritizes minimizing jet lag and maximizing the feeling of a “free” vacation day upon arrival. So, while productivity on the plane isn’t irrelevant, it takes a backseat to feeling good when I land.

Here’s my breakdown of the advantages I consider for each:

Night Flights:

• Aligned with natural sleep cycle: The biggest draw for me is that a night flight (ideally departing late evening) roughly aligns with my typical sleep schedule. Even if I don’t sleep perfectly on the plane, the attempt to sleep during “night” hours helps prime my body for the new time zone.
• Arrival feeling rested (potentially): If I can sleep on the plane, I arrive feeling somewhat refreshed and ready to start exploring, maximizing that first day.
• Less turbulence (sometimes): I’ve heard anecdotes (and some scientific backing) that night flights tend to experience less turbulence, which is a huge plus for nervous fliers.

Day Flights:

• Productivity: A day flight allows for uninterrupted work or leisure time. I can catch up on emails, read, watch movies, or even get some writing done without worrying about disturbing fellow passengers trying to sleep.
• Easier to stay awake: For some, fighting sleep on a long day flight can be easier, which helps prevent arriving exhausted even if sleep on the plane is minimal. This can be beneficial for shorter layovers.
• Better views: Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a good window seat view? Daytime flights offer stunning views of landscapes, cloudscapes, and even cities below.

My Point of View:

While daytime flights have their perks, I strongly prefer overnight long-haul flights. My primary goal is to minimize the effects of jet lag, and even a few hours of broken sleep on a night flight contributes significantly to that. The potential to arrive feeling relatively rested and ready to hit the ground running is invaluable, especially when vacation time is precious. The prospect of gaining an extra vacation day outweighs the benefits of daytime productivity for me. While I acknowledge that sleeping on planes is challenging, I’ve found strategies like eye masks, earplugs, and melatonin to be helpful in making the most of overnight flights.