By: Jacob Maslow
Red-eye flights, which take travelers through the night, offer several advantages for business travelers, such as more affordable airfares, quieter boarding, and the ability to fly to a destination and back in a single day.
However, despite the business benefits, red-eyes have one notable drawback – they can leave you looking a little worse for wear. That might not be an issue if you’re heading straight to your hotel to freshen up, but what if you’re scheduled for a meeting right away?
It’s not uncommon for travelers to choose a red-eye flight to save on accommodation costs, but this timing can sometimes be less than ideal. After all, the name itself reflects the discomfort you might feel upon arrival. Arriving at your meeting in this state could potentially affect your chances of making a strong first impression.
Fortunately, there are ways to look presentable for a meeting when you’re fresh off a red-eye flight. Keep reading to find out how.
1. Make Sure You Sleep on the Plane
You might be thinking, “Sleeping on a red-eye can feel impossible,” but it’s definitely worth trying. Even short bursts of sleep during the flight can help you avoid looking too fatigued. You’ll certainly look more refreshed than if you stayed up all night sipping airline coffee! To improve your chances of sleeping well, consider booking a seat with extra legroom, or even upgrading to business class if you’re seeking more quiet and a seat that may recline.
2. Have a Prearranged Airport Plan
If you think you look bad straight off a red-eye flight, just imagine how you might feel if you have to rush around once you reach the airport. To minimize this stress, it’s helpful to pre-arrange your arrival plan as much as possible.
Let’s say you’re flying into New York. Your first step should be to check out the airport’s washing and changing facilities, which at places like JFK may require lounge access—you can book this in advance. Then, pack a change of shirt and trousers in your hand luggage to refresh yourself upon arrival. If possible, also consider booking luggage storage to help lighten your load. Lastly, plan your route—whether that’s taking the subway or booking a ride through a local service like Uber—so that you can head directly to your meeting.
3. Buy Yourself Some Time
You can avoid feeling rushed by planning your meeting time around your flight, instead of trying to fit it in right after landing. Ideally, aim to give yourself about three to four hours between your flight’s arrival and your meeting. This will give you enough time to deal with potential flight delays (which tend to be less frequent with red-eye flights) and provide ample opportunity to prepare.
If your client has a tight schedule, you may need to shorten that timeframe a bit. However, if your client is flexible—and hopefully they will be if they’re local—it’s okay to ask for a later start time.
4. Refuel Before Meeting Takeoff
Whether you eat on the plane or not, your post-flight exhaustion can feel more intense if you skip a proper refueling session before your meeting. While your main focus should be freshening up, you’ll also benefit from taking a brief break to grab a nutritious snack.
It can be tempting to go for fast food, but that’s likely not the best choice. While it might seem like the end of a long day, you’re probably around breakfast time, and most people don’t want a burger at breakfast! More importantly, an unhealthy option can lead to post-flight bloating.
Instead, choose foods that will help you stay alert and composed, such as staying hydrated with healthy juices and opting for sustaining breakfast options like porridge, Greek yogurt, or eggs.
A red-eye flight could very well be a suitable option for arriving at your business meeting efficiently. Simply follow these tips to look as professional as possible after your flight.
Published by: Liz S.
