Definition
A red-eye flight is a late-night, cross-country flight travelling west to east. The change in time zones results in arrival at the destination in the early morning.
Benefits
The greatest benefit of taking a red-eye flight is arriving at the destination without losing travel time, which is especially important for business travelers. Operating flights on an around-the-clock schedule increases airport efficiency and profitability. Because of the odd hours, red-eye flights also result in bargain rates for the average flyer.
Fun Fact
The red-eye flight is named for the red eyes of sleepy travellers. Since the flights usually are only a few hours long, passengers don't have enough time to achieve a full night's rest before arriving in the destination city.
History
Red-eye flights didn't exist in the 1930s and 1940s because most airports did not have the necessary lighting and equipment to allow flights to take off at night.
Famous Ties
"Red Eye" is a 2005 suspense film directed by Wes Craven. The plot involved a hotel manager who gets caught up in a terrorist plot while aboard a red-eye flight from Dallas to Miami.
Article Written By Heather Lacey
Heather Lacey is a freelance writer who has been specializing in print and Web articles since 2008. She is a regular contributor to "Go Gilbert!," "Scottsdale Health Magazine" and other local publications. Lacey has a professional background in hospitality management and studied journalism at Phoenix College.
