What is a red-eye flight?

A flight that leaves late in the evening and lands early the next morning, so most of it is flown at night.

Red-eye flight, explained

Red-eyes are named for how travelers look after one. Many long-haul flights are red-eyes by design: flights from the US to Europe usually leave in the evening and land the next morning, local time.

In economy a red-eye means sleeping upright. In business class it means a flat bed, so the night can be spent asleep and the first day at the destination is not lost.

The time difference shapes the night: flying east, the clock moves forward, so a seven-hour flight leaves only a short night. Eating before boarding and skipping the meal service leaves more of it for sleep.

On a business class trip

An evening departure from New York lands in London the next morning; in a lie-flat seat, a traveler sleeps for several hours and goes straight to a meeting.

Related terms

Lie-flat seat
A business class seat that turns into a fully flat bed, 180 degrees, so you can sleep lying down on a night flight.
Nonstop and direct flights
A nonstop flight lands only at your destination. A direct flight keeps one flight number but may stop on the way, sometimes for hours.
Lounge access
Use of an airline's lounge before a flight and between connections. Most international business class tickets include it, the airline's or a partner's.
Amenity kit
The small bag airlines give long-haul business class passengers: usually an eye mask, earplugs, socks, a dental kit and skin care.