Best Time for Passengers to Fly for Optimal Air Travel Experience: Wednesdays, Early Morning Hours

Discovering the ideal time to book flights for an enjoyable air travel experience has always been a topic of interest. Recent research sheds light on this eternal question, highlighting certain days and times that offer a better flying experience.

According to a customer feedback analysis conducted by HappyOrNot, the company known for its smiley-face terminals found in airports worldwide, selecting a Wednesday as your flight day seems to be the way to go.

The study examined over seven million consumer feedback data points collected by HappyOrNot’s Smiley terminals in airports across 30 countries during Q1 of 2023.

Findings revealed that Wednesday received the highest positive feedback rating at 83.7%, making it the best day to fly. Conversely, Sunday scored the lowest with only 79.9% positive feedback.

When it comes to the best time of day to fly, early morning flights take the lead. Specifically, flights at 4 a.m. garnered the highest positive score at 85.2%. Other early morning flights, such as those at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m., also received high ratings at 84.8% and 84.4% respectively.

On the other hand, late-night flights were ranked poorly. Flights at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. received a lower percentage of positive customer ratings at 76.4%.

HappyOrNot’s CEO, Miika Mäkitalo, shared these insights, stating, “We aim to provide passengers with information about their airport experiences in 2023 and help them prepare for their journeys. Additionally, this data helps airport operators identify areas that may require extra attention during busy times.”

Furthermore, the research highlights significant observations regarding the customer air travel experience. HappyOrNot’s Smiley Terminals, placed strategically in five different areas within airports (security, arrivals, check-in, washrooms, and baggage claim), revealed that baggage claim received the most negative feedback from customers. Surprisingly, airport security checkpoints garnered the least negative feedback, making them the “happiest” spots on the list.

The study also unveiled the top three customer complaints related to staff friendliness, queue length, and cleanliness of facilities, shedding light on areas that require attention for enhanced customer satisfaction during air travel.