Why I Love Daylight Flights to Europe

Flying from the U.S. to Europe doesn’t have to mean dragging yourself off a redeye and trying to function on no sleep. A handful of airlines offer daytime flights across the Atlantic, and I think they’re the best-kept secret for airline employees traveling on standby.

Instead of flying overnight and showing up jet-lagged at 7am, you leave in the morning and land in the evening—eat dinner, go to bed, wake up refreshed, and hit the cobblestones running. Best of all? These flights are often easier to clear as a passrider.

Here’s why I love these flights—and which ones you can actually catch.

Why Daylight Flights Are Better Than Redeyes

Redeyes sound good in theory—you “sleep” on the flight and start the day in Europe. But let’s be honest: trying to sleep upright with a tray table poking into your knees and the galley slamming shut every 15 minutes is... not sleep.

On a daytime flight, you stay awake (like you would at home), land in the evening, go to sleep in a real bed, and wake up in the right time zone. That one solid night of rest helps your body adjust faster, and it beats shuffling around the streets of Paris trying to stay awake until check-in.

Daytime Flights You Can Actually Take

These aren’t unicorns—you just have to know where to look. Most of them go to London, but you’ll occasionally find options to other cities too. Here are the main ones operating as of now:

• Boston (BOS) → London Heathrow (LHR)
  British Airways flight BA238, 7:20am → 6:55pm

• New York JFK → London Heathrow (LHR)

  • British Airways BA178, 7:55am → 7:45pm

  • JetBlue B61107, 8:07am → 8:45pm

  • Virgin Atlantic VS26, 8:20am → 8:10pm

  • American Airlines AA142, 9:45am → 9:40pm

• Newark (EWR) → London Heathrow (LHR)
  United UA934, 8:30am → 8:40pm

• Halifax (YHZ) → London Heathrow (LHR)
  Air Canada AC868, 11:35am → 8:35pm

Some flights are seasonal and scheduled times often change, so always double-check schedules before planning.

Easier to Clear as a Nonrev

In my experience, these flights tend to have more open seats. Maybe it’s because they’re less appealing to business travelers (who want to work a full day and fly overnight), or maybe people just don’t realize they exist.

Whatever the reason, I’ve had better luck clearing standby on daylight transatlantic flights—especially from New York or Boston. Fewer elite upgrades, less competition, and less drama at the gate.

What This Means for Airline Staff

If you’re planning a Eurotrip and want to hit the ground feeling like a human being, these flights are your golden ticket. Daylight departures let you spend your U.S. morning sipping an airport coffee, enjoy a movie marathon at 35,000 feet, and be in bed in Europe by 10pm.

They're also a great move for long weekends: you arrive Friday night, explore Saturday and Sunday, and fly home Monday. Just remember to factor in time zones when figuring out your PTO.

Long-Term Outlook

More airlines are exploring alternative scheduling to differentiate their products, especially with the growing competition on transatlantic routes. While redeyes will always be the norm, daylight options are gaining traction among savvy travelers—including passriders who want rest and a better shot at clearing.

So, would you ever book (or list) on a daytime flight to Europe instead of a redeye? Let us know your favorite route!