I consider myself to be an airport expert. My credentials? I grew up with a commercial airline pilot for a father.
I’m also a travel writer by trade. But I’ve learned so much about air travel just by virtue of being my father’s daughter. He’s taught me that while you can never completely neutralize the unpredictability of flying, there are things you can do to prevent additional chaos.
His best advice: take the earliest flight of the morning you can. Yes, the one we all avoid. According to my dad, it’s the one that’s least likely to be delayed, expensive, or time-wasting.
And after following his advice for years, I totally agree. Here’s why I will never give up my early-morning flights.
In this article
The First Flight Out Is Less Likely to Be Delayed
According to my dad, the first flights of the morning are the least likely to experience delays or cancellations. And the numbers back it up.
An AAA study of federal data found that the later your flight, the more likely it is to be delayed, with flights before 9 a.m. most often on time.
That’s because, first thing in the morning, the plane is already there, waiting from the last flight that finished the night before. And things generally run smoothly in the early morning when the pilot and crew are not waiting on an aircraft from an earlier flight.
Hold-ups from the previous flight account for a vast portion of delays, which can cause a chain reaction of setbacks throughout the day. So the earlier you travel, the less likely you are to be caught up in the domino effect of delays.
While there’s always weather and unforeseen circumstances to consider, the first flight of the day is your best bet for getting off the ground without a hitch.
Early-Morning Flights Are Generally Cheaper
Airlines know that travelers generally prefer to hit snooze rather than rise before the sun to travel, and the first flight of the day is priced accordingly. Most people opt to get their beauty sleep, leaving the early birds to save big on their worm. If you are willing to sleep on the plane, you can save loads on your flight.
To find cheap flights, you have to be willing to lose sleep over it. According to Trip.com, an online travel agency, one of the best times to fly for cheap is before 7 a.m.
Indeed, I find I can save a few hundred dollars if I fly at 5 or 6 a.m. rather than at noon. And since I am all about saving a buck so I can budget more money for experiences in my destination later, I take this approach whenever I can.
You Might Sleep Better on the Plane Than You Think
I hear you: sleeping on the plane can feel like an unusual form of torture.
But I am here to tell you that everything is a learnable skill, including learning to train your body to rest in uncomfortable settings.
Watching my dad, I’ve learned a few tricks for shut-eye on a flight. First, avoid caffeine until post-flight. Then, pack earplugs and an eye mask to create a sleep-conducive environment and help regulate your circadian rhythms. And practice box breathing, which is what Navy SEALs do to sleep on missions.
I am notoriously not a morning person, but I manage to wake up with pure travel adrenaline and then pass out once I fasten my seatbelt thanks to these tips.
You Won’t Lose a Day to Travel
Learning how to make the most of limbo periods in a travel schedule is something I’ve picked up from my father, who squeezes out time in his layovers for exploration. For me, that’s using the time I’d usually be asleep to board a flight.
True, when you take a first flight out, the journey to the airport and through security while it's still dark out may feel like a fever dream. But once you arrive at your destination bright and early, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running.
Instead of wasting precious time waiting for check-in, do a bag drop at your hotel or request one from your Airbnb host prior to arrival so you can unburden yourself. If you don’t have a hotel booking or flexible host, hit up a hotel with a coffee shop, jump-start yourself with some caffeine, and ask to check luggage.
I road-tested this strategy on a trip to Minneapolis when I grabbed a latte from Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, the lobby cafe of the Emery, who graciously held my bags while I had myself a day in the Twin Cities.
Sunrise Looks Better From 35,000 Feet
Even for those back in economy seats, far from the sweeping vistas of the cockpit, my dad loves to announce notable views out the plane window.
For me, that must-see view is the sun showing its first light of the day.
If you haven’t seen a sunrise from 35,000 feet in the air, it’s a real treat. Settling into a seat and taking a big exhale as your plane cruises over a city that’s just coming to life? Gotta be one of my favorite feelings.
If you have the chance to fly before the sun rises, opt to book a seat by the window to fully enjoy the sherbet skies at altitude—and the satisfaction that you made it into the air before most people have had their morning cup of coffee.
The Shortcut
Early-morning flights may require waking up in the middle of the night, but they’re the least likely to be delayed since they aren’t held up by previous flights.
You can save money, perhaps even hundreds of dollars, by booking the first flight of the day. If you’re on a budget and open to flying early, always compare these flights.
If you’re worried about being tired, training yourself to sleep on a plane is a skill you can learn with practice and the right tips.
