By Shawn Gallagher
Waking up early for a morning flight isn’t always fun. It might mean trying to go to bed unusually early the night before, but you can’t fall asleep. You then end up with only 4 hours of sleep, and head to the airport in a very sleepy mood. It’s a common occurance.
However, these early morning flights have many benefits, so much so that I almost always opt for these flights. Let’s go over the reasons why.
1. Less Delays
There’s no question as to whether or not there are fewer delays in the morning. Early morning flights have a noticeably higher on-time performance, for several reasons:
Better Weather
The weather tends to be calmer in the morning. Just ask any Florida or Singapore resident, and they’ll understand.
Thunderstorms tend to appear in the afternoon and evenings, which really affects air travel. This past summer in New York City, thunderstorms were almost a daily occurrence, which often stranded passengers at other airports waiting for FAA ground stops to be lifted. By flying in the morning, you can avoid these storms later in the day, especially in the spring and summer seasons.
I too, had one flight canceled due to thunderstorms in New York City this past summer while trying to get home. I ended up stranded in Detroit and had to stay the night there. Read more about my experience here!
Related: My Worst Delta Flight Ever, An Airplane Nightmare
Quiet Air Traffic
With fewer flights in the air early in the morning, you can expect a smoother taxi when taking off. During peak travel times, you may find your plane in a long line for takeoff, especially at major airports. However, this is less of a worry when traveling at a quieter time.
In the air, it’s easier for air traffic control to give clearance to whatever route and altitude the pilots need for a smoother and quicker flight.
First Flight Of The Day For The Aircraft
When flying first thing in the morning, the chances are that it’s the aircraft’s first flight of the day as well. It’s much easier to have a smooth departure when your plane has been parked at the airport overnight and ready to go for the next day.
One of the most common causes of a delay is the late arrival of an aircraft. This happens when your previous flight is delayed, which has a domino effect on that particular aircraft’s schedule for the rest of the day. By being the first (or even the second) flight of the day, you avoid this issue.
2. Maximizing Time At Your Destination
Another great reason to fly early in the morning is the fact that you can maximize your time on the ground.
I sometimes fly to commute. With the limited time I have, it’s beneficial to fly first thing in the morning and have the rest of the day devoted to the stuff I need to do at my destination. I’d rather do that instead of wasting a travel day by flying in the middle of the day.
It can still be beneficial even if you aren’t commuting, too. You can spend more time at your destination and explore or gain an extra half day with your loved ones. The list goes on.
3. Morning Flights Are Cheaper
Morning flights tend to be cheaper as well. In addition to it being a quieter time for air travel, evening flights are when both businessmen and leisure travelers like to head home. This combination often raises demand higher than the early morning flights, thus raising prices.
These are prices for American Airlines, from New York City to Chicago O’Hare. These are the morning flights.
Now, take a look at that same evening:
We can definitely see here that there’s more demand for these later flights. This is almost always the case for various routes throughout the country. This can sometimes apply to certain international flights as well.
Bottom Line
I always like to opt for morning flights. Even though getting up early might be tiring, I never hesitate to book them. I rarely have any issues with flights at this time of day. I love being able to maximize my day and enjoy a smooth flight to my destination. If you think you can handle waking up at 4 or 5am, don’t hesitate to book these flights. They’re worth it.
Featured image by the author.