You either love or hate red-eye flights. We’d confidently guess that most people fall into the latter group. The people who do vouch for them probably don’t even actually prefer the timing; they just like the price. Red-eyes are generally cheaper than mid-day flights because, well, the majority of travelers do not want to get on a plane in the middle of the night. Sure, you land early and with a bit of extra spending money reserved, but does that really make up for spending a whole day feeling like a zombie or having to lug your bags around your destination for hours because it’s much too early to check in to your hotel?
Still, sometimes a red-eye flight is the only feasible option, so you’re left to throw on an acceptable outfit that most closely resembles the comfort of pajamas and head to the airport at an ungodly hour, accepting your fate of sleep deprivation. You may not have considered, though, that there are preparatory steps you can take during the day to lessen the misery of the overnight flight—and those travel hacks begin the moment you wake up on the morning of your flight. Here’s exactly what you shouldn’t do on the day of your red-eye.
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The #1 Tip for Surviving a Red-Eye Flight
If you’re one of those people who immediately thinks of coffee upon the sound of your alarm clock, you’re in luck. According to popular travel influencer Jackie Camardo, you should drink coffee first thing in the morning, preferably at an earlier-than-normal wake-up time, on the day of your red-eye flight—if you must. If you can skip caffeine, even better. The bad news is that you’re gonna have to refrain from having a second cup. Camardo says that you should avoid caffeine for the rest of the day, as it can interfere with your sleep schedule and make it harder than it already is to fall asleep on the plane.
While it’s tempting to have an afternoon latte to help keep you awake for late-night airport security, you shouldn’t drink any caffeine beyond one cup early in the morning before your red-eye flight.
@jackiecamardo How to Survive an Overnight Flight in Economy: North America to Europe ✈️ Travel Essentials are in my bio and MORE TIPS HERE 👇 •Go for a window seat to get as much uniterupped sleep as possible 💤 •Tell your flight attendant early you do not want the meal to sleep through meal service •No alcohol on the plane either 🍷🫠 •Always ask AirBNB / Hotel about early check-in, you may be surprised 🛌 •I prefer hotel >> airbnb these first nights because usually more likely for early check-in and it’s easier to drop-bags/freshen up in the lobby bathroom •You don’t have to do any of these things, they are just what I find helpful to actually sleep and not feel like a zombie when you land 🧟♀️ Of course all flight times are going to be adjusted depending on where you are taking-off/landing, if you have layovers, etc. . #traveltips #travelessentials #longflight #internationalflight travel flight tips advice
♬ original sound – jackie camardo
More Travel Hacks for Red-Eye Flights
In addition to the strict rules on caffeine, Camardo suggests waking up early—around 5 or 6 a.m.—and getting sunlight on your skin first thing. This helps to regulate your circadian rhythm, so you’ll get tired naturally when the sun goes down. After you wake up, avoid napping during the day, for reasons similar to those for avoiding caffeine. Movement is important to get your blood circulating well before hours of being sedentary, so get some steps in on a walk or squeeze in a workout class if you can.
Related: The 1 Thing You Should Never, Ever Do Right After a Long Flight, According to Cardiologists
Another emphasized tip? Hydrate. Drink more water than you usually would, preferably with added electrolytes, to boost your hydration before the dry plane air sucks all the moisture out of you. She suggests eating a balanced meal before or at the airport, and avoiding overly greasy options. While there is somewhat of a trend of doing your skincare on the plane, Camardo suggests doing your full routine at home, before you leave for the airport. Once there, don’t indulge in an airport beer or anything else that would mess with your sleep cycle; instead, opt for your favorite healthy (but still enjoyable) snack.
These tips should leave you feeling your best (and sleepiest), so that during and after your red-eye flight, you’re in tip-top vacation shape.
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