Getting to the airport for a trip can be an exciting part of a vacation at any time of day, but there are some times of day that are better for flying than others, with the early morning hours proving to be the “best” time to take off.
New data from HappyOrNot – the maker of the “smiley” customer feedback terminals found in airports – suggests that airport travelers were happiest at 4am, while 10pm and 11pm were the “worst” times for customer satisfaction.
The data is from the first quarter of 2023 and is based on responses from seven million customers surveyed in 30 countries. At the top of the list is 4 a.m. as the best time to be at the airport, with 85.2% positive feedback.
Apparently, travelers also have a favorite day to fly: the survey found that the best day of the week to depart is Wednesday, but the worst is Sunday.
“This could be due to a number of reasons, but it is likely that most airports are not at their busiest at this time, so travelers have a smoother experience,” explains Miika Mäkitalo, CEO of HappyOrNot.
“In 2023, the best time to fly might come as a bit of a shock to those of us who are not early risers, as it will fall in the early hours of the morning.”
Read more: How much liquid can you take on the plane?Yahoo Life UK, 4 minute read
If you’re heading off on holiday spontaneously, the travel experts have a few insider tips and tricks for you that can make getting up early in the morning a little easier.
Regard: Woman talks about the benefits of traveling without a partner
Surviving an early morning flight
-
Eat well and drink plenty of fluids (especially if it is a long journey). “Start the morning with oatmeal and an orange juice so your stomach isn’t full, and be sure to take water with you on the plane,” advises Hayley Smith, who has been a digital nomad for two years.
-
Check whether your luggage can be picked up the day before. “There are a number of services that offer this (AirPortr is one of them), and you don’t have to worry about your luggage and everything else you had to pack the morning of the trip,” says Nicky Kelvin, editor at travel website The Points Guy. “Some airlines offer a twilight check-in service where you can drop off your luggage the night before. This is especially handy if you’re sleeping in an airport hotel and are therefore already close to the terminal.”
-
Avoid showering. “Take a shower the night before, as this will save you 20 minutes of getting ready and allow you to stay in bed longer,” advises Kelvin.
-
Plan your meals well and eat in the airport if necessary. “This will help your body adjust to the new time zone on a long-distance journey,” explains Kelvin. “Avoid sugary foods, as these will cause a drop in performance over the course of the day.”
Read more: “Workcation” allows women to spend a week’s holiday in Spain without having to take annual leaveReading time: 5 min.
-
Don’t overload your itinerary right from the start. “When you arrive, take time to settle in and relax after a long morning,” suggests Kelvin.
-
Avoid fear of flying. “An early flight can often cause anxiety the night before, worrying about the time and getting to the airport,” says Smith. “Go to bed listening to meditation music from Spotify. Make a list before bed to make sure you have everything you need to calm your mind. Go through the list again in the morning to check everything.”
-
Set your alarm and keep it away from you. “It’s easy to oversleep, run out of time, or oversleep,” says Smith. “If you put the alarm clock on the other side of the room or hide it somewhere, it will wake you up immediately and on time and get you out of bed.”
Read more: All countries from which holidaymakers are warned against travelingYahoo Life UK, 6 minute read
-
Avoid alcohol before the flight. “It’s tempting to have a drink before your flight, but it can make you feel tired and groggy, especially on long-haul flights,” says Smith. “Wait until you arrive at your destination or have a drink during the flight, but remember to stay hydrated.”
-
Use the lounge. “If you’re a frequent flyer, apply for a credit card that gives you free lounge access,” suggests Smith. “That way you can relax and enjoy free food and drink before your flight.”
