Is it better to hop on a flight at dawn or at dusk? What about afternoon and midday flights? Is there really a better time to fly, when the airspace is least busy and congested? As you'll see, the time you choose to depart may make all the difference. You don't want to fly too early and feel groggy once you land, but you also don't want to travel too late and miss out on an extra vacation day. So, which time should you choose? Let's break it down.
Early Morning
No one wants to wake up before dawn to catch a flight, but if you're someone who hates delays and wants to fly when the airspace is least crowded, early morning departures are your best bet. This is probably one of the least popular times to fly (as you can probably guess why), so there aren't as many planes in the air. As the sun fully rises and more traffic rolls in, that's when the runways start to get congested, and planes start to get backed up.
Plus, early morning flights generally experience less turbulence. Midday is when you'll often see the weather sour, and worser conditions, like thunderstorms, tend to occur later in the afternoon and evening.
Afternoon
But if you're not an early riser, a midday or afternoon flight may work better for your schedule. If you're flying international and going across the ocean, you're probably better off avoiding flying at dawn, too. Thunderstorms may occur more frequently later in the day, when the air is at its warmest, but over oceans they can also occur during the early morning.
Flying in the middle of the day also gives you plenty of time to wake up, eat breakfast, pack your remaining items, and get to the airport on time. It's a much more civilized time to travel, which is why many frequent flyers prefer to hop out during the day, rather than in the morning or at night.
Evening
That doesn't mean you should disregard evening routes, though. Most people tend to avoid taking red-eye flights, but if you're flying long-haul, departing at dusk or just after midnight might actually be a perk: you'll get to catch some shut-eye on your flight, and you'll arrive at your destination when it's bright and early.
Flying either early in the morning or late at night may also come with cheaper fares, but this isn't always the case. You'll still need to take different factors into account, such as where you're flying to, if it's the travel season there, and if you're departing near or on a holiday.
At the end of the day, it's best to book the time that fits best with your schedule and personal preferences. If prices influence your decision, you might not have too many choices to pick from, depending on how early (or late) you're booking, but if you're more carefree with your options, go with the time you know you'll fly the most comfortably in.
