Southwest Airlines had begun operating “red-eye” flights, departing from Las Vegas Harry Reid. The red-eye flights began on Feb. 13, 2025 and it was the first instance of the airline scheduling 24-hour service. These flights can be convenient for budget-conscious travellers and those who are looking to maximise time and efficiency during their trip.
What are “red-eye” flights?
An overnight “red-eye” flight departs late at night and arrives at its destination early in the morning. They have been named “red-eye” flights because the passengers tend to have tired, bloodshot eyes after flying overnight with little amounts of sleep.
Red-eye flights are popular among travellers on long-haul flights, as they are able to sleep through the majority of the flight, making them seem shorter. It also makes it easier to adjust to new time zones with more ease as they arrive early in the morning.
Overnight flights can also be a convenient option for those looking to maximise their time on the trip by flying through the night and arriving in the morning, especially beneficial for business travellers who have commitments during the day. It is also usually budget-friendly, with cheaper fares making them an excellent option for travellers looking to save some money on their flight.
Overnight flights also have benefits for the airlines. By operating “red-eye” flights, airlines are able to maximise aircraft usage by reducing downtime.
Southwest Airlines new flights on five routes
Southwest Airlines began operating its first overnight flights from Las Vegas Harry Reid to Baltimore International and Orlando International. From there it also operated from Los Angeles International to both Baltimore and Nashville International, and from Phoenix Sky Harbour to Baltimore.
Southwest Airlines plans to run up to 50 “red-eye” flights per day, which would help them further increase asset utilisation. The new initiative will increase the airline’s revenue without adding any additional aircraft or headcount. This is a particularly important step as it faces decreased B737 MAX deliveries and a complicated business turnaround after last year’s attempted coup by activist investor Elliott Investment Management.
Ryan Green, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, has said that the new flights
With how red-eye flights are booked to date, nearly 75% of passengers are on a connecting itinerary either before or after the red-eye flight. Red-eye flights capitalise on peak seasonality and maximise network connectivity while generating incremental load factor.
What do you think about “red-eye” flights? Do you enjoy flying overnight? Let us know in the comments below!
