How safe is flying at night?

Accident statistics suggest that flying by night accounts for about 10% of the general aviation accidents, but 30% of the fatalities. That suggests night flying must be inherently more dangerous than aviating when the sun is up.



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However, the FAA say that in general aviation 69% of crashes at night cause pilot fatality compared to 59% during day. Various FAA/NTSB reports state (f. ex: This) that there's more crashes during day than night but that's hard to interpret: There's a lot more planes in the air during the day.

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Is it less scary to fly at night? Statistics say that flights during the early morning or night are less turbulent than day-time flights. These red-eye flights mean you can worry less and catch up on much-needed sleep due to a smoother flight and less worrying about turbulence.

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Virtually every aspect of flying at night is different from the clear light of day. The aircraft is more difficult to inspect. The cockpit takes on an air of unfamiliarity as it fades in the dim red glow of the panel lights. Weather becomes more important, as does flight planning and attention to cockpit organization.

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It might be surprising to learn that turbulence is actually worse in the daytime. In the early morning and night time, wind speeds typically reduce, and thunderstorms clear up. Avoid turbulence and catch up on some sleep by choosing flights with an early morning or red-eye departure!

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13 Easy Tips for Overnight Flights
  1. Splurge on extra legroom or an upgrade. ...
  2. Choose your seat wisely. ...
  3. Read instead of using screens. ...
  4. Wash your face and brush your teeth before boarding. ...
  5. Use earplugs and a mask. ...
  6. Bring a travel pillow. ...
  7. Avoid caffeine or alcohol. ...
  8. Dress for the occasion.


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Accident statistics suggest that flying by night accounts for about 10% of the general aviation accidents, but 30% of the fatalities. That suggests night flying must be inherently more dangerous than aviating when the sun is up.

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Nighttime is one of the best times to fly. The winds die down, and the thermal turbulence dissipates, leaving a sky full of stars and a smooth ride. Night flying can be an absolute pleasure, but for many people, especially those that don't do it often, it can also be a source of anxiety.

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When is the safest time to fly? Summertime is the safest season to fly. Earlier in the day is the safest time of day to fly. More accidents occur later in the day when the pilots are tired, especially when the weather is bad and there have been delays.

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The airlines use the last hours of the day and the first hours of the night to catch up on delays and ensure their aircraft are in the right place for the next day. Night Flights allow the budget airlines and the non-scheduled airlines (usually operating holiday charter flights) to make full use of their aircraft.

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Mostly (not all) pilots prefer night flying. Some pilots may love flying in the night while some may love to fly in the day. Here's how night flying is preferable to pilots: Some things are easier when it comes to night flying, some things are more difficult.

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Aerodynamic altitude: If a commercial airliner flies too high, it will encounter less dense air passing over the wings to create lift. This can cause the plane to stall and fall out of control. Depending on the weather conditions and aircraft weight, this can occur anywhere between 40,000 and 45,000 feet.

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“The first step in avoiding an encounter with clouds at night is a good weather briefing. This weather briefing will give you an idea of where the cloud layers are expected. However, don't expect these forecasts to be precise because they are simply that: forecasts.

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Many airlines provide crew rest areas on their aircraft, where pilots can sleep during long-haul flights. These areas are usually located in the tail, cargo area or above the cabin of the plane and are designed to be as quiet and comfortable as possible. Other crew members prefer to use business class seats to rest.

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Reading, conversation, etc are all common ways to keep alert. The goal is to stay awake but also still be focused on the task at hand which is flying the plane and not get too distracted.

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A rough estimate of the probability of an airplane going down due to an emergency is about 1 in 11 million, meaning it would take us quite a few lifetimes before actually experiencing a plane crash. That's a whopping 0.00001% chance that something will go terribly wrong on your flight.

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8 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Flying
  1. Latch on to triggers that set you off. ...
  2. Step onto the airplane with knowledge. ...
  3. Anticipate your anxiety. ...
  4. Separate fear from danger. ...
  5. Recognize that common sense makes no sense. ...
  6. Smooth over things that go bump in the flight. ...
  7. Educate fellow fliers how to help you. ...
  8. Value each flight.


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  1. Airplane Safety. Airplanes are by far the safest mode of transportation when the number of transported passengers are measured against personal injuries and fatality totals, even though all plane crashes generally receive some form of media attention. ...
  2. Train Safety. ...
  3. Bus Travel. ...
  4. Boat Travel.


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Go with the local flow (usually). “If you're landing when people are awake in the middle of the day, that's what you want to do, too. Sleep as much as you can on the plane,” she says. “If you're going to be landing at night, do your best to stay awake on the plane and sleep at your destination.”

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While some might opt for staying awake, taking a short, rejuvenating nap can help you to get through the day feeling on top of things. If you can't take a short nap before the work day, tackling your most challenging tasks in the morning is the best option. Doing some light exercise can also be beneficial.

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When an aircraft experiences turbulence, the plane can drop or change altitude suddenly. This is why pilots always caution passengers to buckle up and stay seated when they are experiencing flight turbulence. The sudden movements put passengers at risk.

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