In commercial aviation, a red-eye flight refers to a flight that departs at night and arrives the next morning, especially when the total flight time is insufficient for passengers to get a full night's sleep. Nighttime at Venice Marco Polo Airport. The term derives from red eyes as a symptom of fatigue.

In the world of commercial aviation, a red-eye flight refers to any flight that departs late at night and arrives early the next morning. These flights are most common on eastbound routes (such as from Los Angeles to New York or London to Dubai) because the time zone changes "shorten" the night, often resulting in a total flight time that is insufficient for a full night's rest. The term "red-eye" is a literal reference to the bloodshot, tired eyes of passengers who emerge from the aircraft at dawn having had little to no sleep. In 2026, red-eye flights remain popular for business travelers who want to avoid losing a productive workday and for budget-conscious tourists looking to save on a night's hotel cost. Despite their reputation for being exhausting, airlines often equip these flights with "comfort kits" and dimmed cabin lighting to encourage rest, though the physical toll on the body's circadian rhythm can take a day or two to recover from once you reach your destination.