The Best Time to Fly? Why I Book 5am Flights Every Time

Don't shoot me, but I really believe 5am flights are the best flights there are.

People ask me all the time what the best time to fly is. I've spent years on the road for work, flying out of Buffalo, connecting through Charlotte, landing in places like Chattanooga and Daytona Beach. My answer never changes. Book the first flight of the day.

I know. Your alarm goes off when it's still dark and every part of you wants to hit snooze. Stay with me, because once you try it, you'll get it.

The best time to fly is the first flight of the day

Here's the simple version. The plane for the first flight is usually already sitting at the gate. It got there the night before. The crew is rested. Nothing has gone wrong yet.

Every flight after that depends on the flights before it. One storm in Chicago, one late crew, one mechanical issue, and the whole day starts to slide. By the afternoon, delays stack on delays.

If you want to avoid flight delays, the earliest departure is the closest thing to a sure bet you'll find in air travel. When I'm trying to make a meeting or a connection, I'm not gambling on a 4pm flight.

Why early morning flights beat everything else

TSA takes about 8 minutes

At 5am, I walk through security in about 8 minutes. Seriously. The line is short, and the people in it know exactly what they're doing.

The people are pros

The crowd at a 5am flight is mostly business travelers and frequent flyers. They're good at traveling because they do it all the time. And they all figured out the same thing I did: the earlier flights are better.

Laptops come out of the bag before they're asked. Nobody has a full water bottle or a giant bottle of shampoo. Shoes are off and back on in seconds. Everybody is organized and focused on getting on the plane and getting to their day.

Come to the airport at 1pm and it's a different world. You see the folks who don't travel much, and that's OK, we all start somewhere. But you get 300 bags, people checking stuff at the last minute, people running late and yelling at each other. It's stressful just watching.

Fewer kids (not that I mind kids)

Let me be clear. I love kids. But the 5am flight is quieter. Families tend to fly later in the day, so the early cabin is calmer. If you want to read, work, or sleep, that matters.

The coffee is fresh

This one is underrated. At 5am, the coffee shops just opened, so you're getting the first pot of the day. It hasn't been sitting on a burner for three hours.

In Buffalo, I grab mine from The Coffee Bean past security, and it's really good. I do have to drop an ice cube in it so I can actually drink it sometime the same day.

The flight attendants are on their game

I've noticed this for years. The flight attendants on the first flight of the day are sharp, friendly, and attentive. It's their first flight too. They haven't dealt with six delays and a hundred complaints yet. The whole experience is just better.

You land with the whole day ahead of you

Take a 5am flight and you're at your destination before most people finish breakfast. You can make a morning meeting, check in early, or get a nap and still have a full day. For business travel, that's huge.

How I make a 5am flight painless

The secret to early morning flights is doing almost everything the night before. When the alarm goes off, I don't want to make a single decision.

• Book the first departure. Look for the earliest flight on your route, usually somewhere between 5 and 7am.
• Check in the day before and save your mobile boarding pass to your phone wallet.
• Pack and lay out your clothes. Bag zipped by the door. ID, wallet, keys, and headphones in one spot.
• Schedule your rideshare or know exactly where you're parking.
• Set two alarms and put your phone across the room.
• Have a coffee plan. Know where the good coffee is past security.
• Pick your seat on purpose. Window if you want to sleep, aisle if you need to get off fast.

My TSA tips for early flights

Even at 5am, a few things make security faster.

• Get TSA PreCheck or CLEAR if you fly more than a couple of times a year. It pays for itself in saved time and stress.
• Pack your liquids bag on top so you can grab it in one move.
• Wear easy shoes and keep your pockets empty.
• Bring an empty water bottle and fill it once you're through.

Some mornings I show up only 20 minutes before boarding because I know the line will fly. I'm not telling you to cut it that close. Give yourself a buffer until you know your airport. But you'll be surprised how relaxed it feels.

Business travel tips from a road warrior

If you travel for work, the first flight of the day gives you the most control over your schedule. You're far less likely to get bumped by a cascading delay, and if something does go wrong, there are plenty of later flights to rebook on.

Compare that to taking the last flight of the night. If that one cancels, you're sleeping at the airport.

FAQ: the best time to fly

What is the best time of day to fly?

The first flight of the day, usually between 5 and 7am. The plane is usually already at the gate, the crew is fresh, and there are no earlier delays to ripple into your flight.

Are early morning flights less likely to be delayed?

Yes. Delays build up over the day as one late flight pushes back the next. The first departures of the morning have the best on-time record because they start the day with a clean slate.

How early should I get to the airport for a 5am flight?

Security lines are usually short that early, but give yourself a buffer, especially at an airport you don't know or if you're checking a bag. If you have TSA PreCheck or CLEAR and only a carry-on, you'll often fly through.

Is a 5am flight worth getting up for?

For me, absolutely. Faster TSA, a calmer crowd, fresh coffee, attentive flight attendants, and you land with the whole day ahead of you. Try one and see.

How do I make an early flight easier?

Do everything the night before: check in, pack, lay out your clothes, schedule your ride, and set two alarms. My free Early Flight Checklist walks you through it.

So, are you team 5am or team "absolutely not"? Watch the video above and tell me in the comments. I don't think I'm crazy, but you can let me know.