A red-eye flight is a term used to describe a late night airplane flight. It is referred to as this for several reasons, all of which include the symptoms that a travel passenger may exhibit after enduring such a flight. Red-eye flights are not always an airplane passenger's ideal choice of flight. These flights often confer negative side effects to their passengers. However, they do serve their purpose and are offered as a solution to common aircraft and traveling issues.
A red-eye flight is any flight that departs an airport late at night and arrives at its destination early in the morning. Such flights usually depart between nine at night and three in the morning. They typically arrive between five in the morning and noon. These flights usually only last between three and five hours, providing the passengers insufficient sleep time, which may cause them to exhibit symptoms of lack of sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, although sleep needs vary among individuals, the average adult needs between seven and nine hours of sleep per day. Red-eye flights do not allow for this recommendation.
Upon arrival, passengers of red-eye flights usually portray the negative side effects that come with receiving insufficient sleep. The most noticeable of these symptoms is having red or bloodshot eyes, upon which the term "red-eye flight" is derived. Passengers may also exhibit other symptoms of fatigue as well, such as lack of energy and irritability. In addition, red-eye flights sometimes impact passengers with jet-lag, which results from a thrown sleeping pattern and refers to the inability of a person's biological clock to quickly adjust to time zone changes. In this case, red-eye flight travelers may also portray symptoms of insomnia, moodiness, loss of appetite, upset stomach, and inability to concentrate.
Red-eye flights are offered for several reasons. First of all, red-eyes flights utilize aircraft more efficiently. More aircraft in a company's fleet is used with the provision of red-eye flights. Plus, red-eyes flights prepare the flight crew and the aircraft for the next day's schedule. In addition, they allow airlines to provide lower costs to some destinations. This, consequently, allows them to provide service to lower cost markets. Red-eyes flights also allow travelers to connect to morning flights.
Although red-eye flights may provide negative symptoms to their passengers, they do provide benefits to them as well. Red-eye flights are often offered at cheaper prices than longer flights because they do not cost as much to operate. Therefore, consumers with lower incomes can more easily afford airfare costs. Moreover, red-eye flights allow travelers to reach their destinations without impacting a full day. This is especially ideal for travelers who would like to utilize as much as their travel time as possible.
Travelers can help prevent the symptoms caused by red-eye flights by ensuring that they plan ahead and provide themselves with extra sleep before they board their late night flight. It is also beneficial for them to try to sleep as much as possible while on the flight to ensure that they well rested upon arrival. If travelers do experience jet lag, it is best to avoid caffeine and other stimulants that may increase negative symptoms, such as insomnia. In addition, they should allow two or three days for their bodies to get back on schedule.
