Why You Should Only Ever Book a Flight for the Early Morning

Waking up before dawn isn't everyone's cup of tea, but we're here to tell you that it is indeed worth it if you're flying. That's because booking the first flight of the day comes with some significant benefits.

Although it may be annoying to miss out on precious sleep time, the earlier you get to the airport, the smoother your experience will be.

According to data compiled by FiveThirtyEight, early morning flights are less likely to be delayed than those in the afternoon and evening. To avoid delays, it's best to leave before 8 a.m., the data showed. From that point in the day, delay times build until they reach their peak at about 6 p.m.

Early morning on-time performance is all thanks to the thin air traffic. As Forbes explained, airspace is less likely to be crowded in the morning, as all the previous days' flights have long landed. But as planes build up and wait for takeoff, air traffic controllers begin to delay departures and landings.

Beyond delays, early morning flights have the added perk of being less prone to turbulence. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, most thunderstorms tend to occur in the afternoon.

The good news doesn't stop there. Airlines often sell their first flight of the morning cheaper than those later in the day, simply because most people would rather sleep, according to FareCompare.

The moral of the story is simple: Wake up early. You can sleep soundly on the plane knowing you avoided travel misery.