A red-eye — an overnight flight that lands early in the morning — saves a hotel night but can leave you exhausted. To make the arrival easier: book your ride in advance so you’re not negotiating transport at 6 a.m., choose a meet-and-greet pickup, build in time for traffic if you’re heading straight to a meeting (morning rush hour starts early), and plan a place to freshen up if you can’t go home first. Resist driving yourself after a sleepless night.

Before the flight

  • Book the car with your flight number; the chauffeur will track the flight.
  • Pack a small kit: toothbrush, deodorant, a fresh shirt, eye mask and earplugs.
  • Hydrate and limit alcohol and caffeine.
  • Charge devices so you can reach your chauffeur.

On landing

Early-morning international arrivals can bunch together, making immigration lines long. Domestic red-eyes from the West Coast land at JFK and Newark around sunrise. Read customs and immigration arrival times.

Going straight to a meeting

Morning traffic into Manhattan builds from around 6:30–7 a.m. From JFK or Newark, a 7 a.m. meeting in Midtown may be tight. Consider a later meeting time, or a stop at a hotel day room or lounge to shower. Read NYC traffic by hour and jet lag tips for business travelers.

Why not drive yourself?

Drowsy driving is dangerous. After a night of broken sleep, a chauffeured ride lets you rest and arrive safely. Read driving yourself vs car service to the airport.

In the car

Ask your chauffeur for a quiet ride and a cool cabin if you’d like to nap. Read quiet ride and conversation.

Where to freshen up

Some airport lounges offer showers to eligible travelers, and hotels in Manhattan and near the airports offer day rooms for a few hours’ rest. Booking a day room near your first meeting can be well worth it after a sleepless night.

Breakfast plan

A light breakfast with protein, water and daylight helps you stay alert through a morning of meetings. Heavy meals can make fatigue worse.