Is It Safer To Fly During the Day?

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or someone who only boards a plane when it’s time for a vacation, aviation industry safety is something we should all be aware of. Modern aircraft benefit not only from the latest technology but also decades of learned experience, making accidents exceptionally rare when we place them in the context of the number of hours flown. But have you ever given much thought to how pilots in the flight deck navigate at night? Here’s how flying an airplane when it’s light out compares with navigating after dark.

Night Flights Tend To Experience Less Turbulence  

Turbulence can be concerning to passengers. Even though most instances pass without incident, few passengers can honestly say they enjoy a flight when it’s bumpy and unpredictable. At night, however, the chance of encountering low-altitude turbulence actually drops. Often, turbulence is associated with pockets of warm air, so when the air is cooler at night, there’ll be less chance of turbulence. 

Turbulence forecasting service Turbli analyzed more than 25 million flight measurements and concluded that it was safer to fly at night, concerning the prevalence of turbulence specifically. However, the company also noted that once a plane reached its cruising altitude, the difference was minimal, so this factor really only comes into play on short regional hops or during takeoffs and landings.

The Impact of Circadian Rhythms

Circadian rhythms are the natural changes to our physical and mental state that we experience as we go through a 24-hour cycle. They impact our cognitive function, ability to deal with stress, and energy levels. As a result of the irregular schedules, long working hours, and the impact of traveling through multiple time zones within a single shift, pilots and other members of the flight deck and cabin crew are impacted by disruptions to their circadian rhythms. 

Dealing with the resulting exhaustion and fatigue is one reason why working in commercial aviation is a challenging career. As passengers, however, we can be reassured that flight crew training is rigorous and many regulations are put in place to ensure those flying the plane are competent to do so — day or night. 

The Importance of Instruments

The instruments pilots rely on in the flight deck are crucial to ensuring they can safely navigate, no matter what time of day they are flying. Pilots undergo hours of training that gives them the necessary skills and knowledge to equip them for night flights. Modern navigation systems, weather radar, autopilot capabilities, and communication with personnel in air traffic control towers each play a vital role during a commercial flight. Visibility can be affected by numerous factors, including light levels and the amount of cloud cover, so day or night, the flight crew rely on the aircraft’s instruments to ensure they can take off, land, and fly safely — whether there’s good visibility or not.

The Role of Lighting

One essential aspect of safe flight navigation is adequate lighting. Each type of lighting at an airport plays a specific role, preventing collisions, enhancing visibility for ground personnel, and supporting flight crews. For example, white approach lights indicate to the pilot the direction of the runway, while taxiways are illuminated by blue lights. Lighting systems such as Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI) are standard across the industry. They ensure that a pilot knows what the correct line is on approach and whether they are coming in at the appropriate height for a successful landing. 

Rules and Regulations

At the end of the day, the aviation industry is one of the most heavily monitored on the planet. Governments, aviation authorities, and airlines worldwide must adhere to a strict set of rules and regulations that cover every aspect of air travel. In the U.S., the Federal Aviation Authority oversees and regulates civil aviation, tasked with maintaining a safe airspace and operating effective air traffic control systems. It doesn’t matter whether you fly during the day or at night, as these standards are meticulously enforced. Nothing is left to chance — not least headings, altitudes, and air speeds — as there is too much at stake. 

Ultimately, flying at night is unavoidable in our global economy, as consumers demand that goods are delivered in a timely fashion and travelers want as many flight options as possible. Fortunately, flying during the night is no less safe than doing so in daylight, so whenever you board, buckle up, relax, and enjoy the ride.