Red-eye flights frequently connect West Coast cities to East Coast cities. These typically depart the West Coast between 9 pm and 1 am, and have a flight time of three to six hours but gain between two and four hours due to the time difference, arriving on the East Coast between 5 am and 9 am.

A red-eye flight typically refers to any flight departing late at night (usually after 9:00 PM) and arriving early the next morning (between 5:00 AM and 6:00 AM). The duration itself can vary wildly depending on the route, but the term is most commonly associated with transcontinental trips. For example, a classic U.S. red-eye from Los Angeles to New York lasts about 5 to 6 hours. However, international red-eyes can be significantly longer; a flight from Southeast Asia to Australia or from the U.S. East Coast to Europe can last between 8 and 12 hours. The "red-eye" name stems from the red, tired eyes passengers often have upon arrival due to the lack of a full night's sleep while crossing multiple time zones. Despite the fatigue, these flights are popular for business travelers and vacationers alike because they maximize daylight hours at the destination and save on the cost of a night's hotel stay.