What's your favourite time of day to fly?

[Mattg]

I personally prefer evening flights. Early morning flights mean you have to get up early and get less time in the lounge. In the evening there is often a greater variety of F&B available both in the lounge and on the plane, and you also get to maximise work time during the day.

I also avoid overnight flights where possible.

 

[dmitri]

I not too fussed on the time, I've covered all different departure times and in the end I'm just happy to be flying somewhere (as long as it's for play and not work )

 

[clazman]

Prefer mid morning flights, time to get up at normal time and miss peak hour traffic. Unfortunately when I fly with work they are between 5-6am......

 

[RooFlyer]

If I'm flying long haul, then a flight east to west I prefer an evening departure - more natural to get some sleep. The other way, I prefer a late morning departure.

Domestic, late morning best - don't have a OMG o'clock start, and plenty of time if there is a problem with the particular flight (and it usually the cheapest ticket).

 

[Hvr]

It depends, overnight flights back to Australia are horrible in Y. For very long flights, e.g. to LAX or LHR the current MEL departures suit me fine for F lounge time. But slightly later for the 93 would mean the opportunity to check out the F lounge lunch menu.

For domestic flights never really cared when travelling for work although I always refused to do a red eye to/from PER/DRW. This was supported by work which was fortunate.

 

[boomy]

When flying Int J/F I always try my best to book day flights if there is a choice in order to maximise the onboard experience.

When flying Dom for work I try to keep some basic rules such as no departures before 7am or after 7pm. Helps to keep the sanity when flying 3-4 times a week.

 

[codash1099]

Ohh, just about any time, and to just about anwhere.

 

[smit0847]

Mid to late morning

 

[Ralphie]

When overseas travelling, I love the flight time back from LA to Australia, leaving late at night and arriving early morning because I sleep well. Hate long haul flights that leave early in the day because I'm awake through them all.

For or general leisure travel, I like mid-late morning flights.

 

[snabbu]

Afternoon/evening flights for sure, especially when on international departures. I feel cheated when on the early QF TT flights without the spa/lunch menu/champagne/etc options of afternoon/evening flights.

Domestically I don't do red eyes and try not to get on departures leaving prior to 0700.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I don't care about when my flight is. When it arrives is much more important.

 

[bartley69]

I always aim for a mid-dayish departure.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Very flexible - most suitable F / J pts rdpt flt I can hog tie.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm not fussed either when it comes to J and F. Whenever I'm going to get the best onboard experience (usually that means trying to avoid breakfast).

I will never do another red-eye in Y. It's just pure torture.

 

[get me outta here]

Anything after about 1200, preferable 1400 as I hate early morning starts as I don't sleep worrying about getting up in time.

 

[Timba-Jet]

For Int LH, Evening departure with a full dinner experience in the lounge and onboard is ideal.
Generally less hectic at the airport too. However it may result in a less than ideal arrival time.

 

[Warks]

10 to 11 am good for domestic departures as others have noted. You can avoid traffic and don't have to get up too early.

INT I'd rather fly by day anywhere to avoid night flying. Never sleep on planes (well it might be defined as sleep but it's about as much like sleep as eating Maccas is like Tetsuya's) so a day of watching movies suits me fine. You can do this on VA1 but all LAX-SYD flights are overnight shockers. One day I'll be rich enough to afford J (or even an airfare that can be upgraded on points to J) but for now I'm a Y pleb.

 

[DaveB]

Have always liked arriving home in the evening and destination in the morning.
Only flight I passionately avoid is less than 9 hours overnight flights in west to east direction such as from Asia with HKG the line in the sand.
For flights to Europe, prefer afternoon departure flights on CX/QF/BA or SQ via Asia over EY/VA/QF/EK via AUH/DXB as struggle to sleep on early morning short 2nd legs.

 

[Major]

For long haul I prefer mid morning. The champagne really hits the spot about then.

I am totally past those flights which leave in the middle of the night. I will stay an extra day somewhere just to avoid those horrible flights. I do not sleep well on overnight flights, even in lie flat beds

 

[JohnK]

It would depend on the situation.

Hate early morning flights while I am commuting. Afternoon/evening flights are perfect.

For international flights departing Australia my preference is around lunchtime where as if I am departing from overseas my preference is for afternoon/evening flights.

I don't book flights to sleep as that detracts from my flying experience.