Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

6am flight putting me off going on holiday -aibu?

663 replies

getionnn · 25/02/2024 12:24

Pretty much that.
I'm going to Gran Canaria for a week in 7 weeks time and I should be excited as it was a valentines present from OH
But he's booked a 6am flight
We are staying at an airport hotel the night before which is literally 2 mins walk to terminal (and small airport ) but I'm dreading it.
I hate being tired and will need to be up at 2.30am really.
We are going to Rhodes in September and it's a lovely 3pm flight.
I'm just filled with dread and worrying about being tired the whole day.
Aibu to feel this way ?

OP posts:
TennisLady · 25/02/2024 20:59

I know you said you want to browse and have breakfast but in winter at Newcastle airport many places will be shut at 3am 😂 you do not need to be there that early!

Whydoiwearsomuchleopardprint · 25/02/2024 20:59

I only ever book the early flights, why would you waste a day of your holiday here when you could be on your sun longer by midday?? I can’t bear thought of arriving at hotel you have paid for late in Eve and going straight to bed!! So boring and such a waste of a day!!!

TerfTalking · 25/02/2024 21:04

Ryan air don’t even start bloody boarding until your take off time and then they leave you on a stairwell squashed up like sardines for 20 minutes before herding you on and starting the engines whilst you’re still sitting down. Getting up at 2:30 is nuts. Shower the night before, forget your make up, take a sandwich for later, breakfast at 3am? 🤢 no chance.

Shadowonasun · 25/02/2024 21:09

Something tells me it's going to be chocs&card for OP next year OR holiday with a new girlfriend for OP's boyfriend..

No, but seriously. If I'd gifted a week's holiday for my partner, and even had consideration to book an airport hotel - and then he moaned and bitched about the flight time, makeup, not being able to mooch around fucking Boots (of all places!)... I'd take a friend instead and he'd probably be my ex, if he wouldn't grovel. Talk about goddamn ungrateful.

Getting up hours beforehand with 2 mins walk to the airport, applying makeup for a flight (!!!!), not coping without duty free.. Jesus, how utterly ridiculous.

DiscoBeat · 25/02/2024 21:13

I don't like early flights either, but mainly because it takes a while to get to the airport. You're already there so it's much easier. You don't need to get up that early. Be super organised the night before, take 45 mins to get up and out.

User0224 · 25/02/2024 21:17

This can’t be real. Makeup, breakfast, duty free and boots meal deal are all non negotiables at 3am?

Lightningrain · 25/02/2024 21:19

YABU.

When you pay thousands to go on holiday why would you want to miss out on an extra half day? I love to arrive at the hotel for lunchtime, have a wander to get some lunch and then a couple of hours by the pool. You can get your bearings in the daylight and have an early night if tired.

AelinGalathynius · 25/02/2024 21:19

YABU. It’s one night. Surely a week’s holiday is enough to restore your energy after that. You could have an early night, go to bed at 20:30 and you’ll still get 7 hours of sleep (I’m sure others have mentioned that there is absolutely no way you need to be up 3.5 hours before your flight when you’re in a hotel right next door) or go the other way and don’t go to bed and have a nap on the plane/sun lounger when you arrive (that would be me). Just go and relax OP, I wish I could but small children say no 😂

telestrations · 25/02/2024 21:21

6am flights are rough. Taken many as I had family somewhere that only had a single flight to and it was always this time.

But you are unreasonable for thinking you need to be up at 2:30am with an airport stay. You can get up with 15min to spare to have the have the 2hrs before boarding or even give yourself less time, airports are not busy this time in the morning, particularly if you don't have checked in luggage. Plus hotel wake up call.

Marchintospring · 25/02/2024 21:21

I'm with you Op.

You may have the "whole" day but the reality is you are grumpy and have a headache because neither of you have slept. You need food and nap pretty much straight away. So really you end up only being functional in the late afternoon.
I usually aim for a lunchtime flight so I can get up at a normal time, smugly missing the rush hour. Have a drink and food at in the airport lounge and arrive in the early evening, room ready and out for dinner.
Also this, coming home. I used to get the last flight so I'd have an extra day but the flights are always delayed and you'd get back gone midnight feeling terrible.

PersephonePomegranate23 · 25/02/2024 21:24

Not like you're going to have a tiring week in Gran Canaria, is it? It's only one day. I'd hate a 3pm flight - you'll have missed a whole day of holiday!

IMustDoMoreExercise · 25/02/2024 21:25

I agree with you. I hate having to get up early.

PersephonePomegranate23 · 25/02/2024 21:26

You may have the "whole" day but the reality is you are grumpy and have a headache because neither of you have slept. You need food and nap pretty much straight away. So really you end up only being functional in the late afternoon.

This just sounds like toddlers!

Tryingmybestadhd · 25/02/2024 21:29

You are ! It’s a heat flight , you will arrive early can have a day at teh beach , a meal and a early night that first day

Wineandcrisps28 · 25/02/2024 21:39

i understand your apprehension one of the destinations I fly to usually flies out between 6am -7am and I dread it because I know il be tired and then I can’t sleep the night before because I know I need to get up but I just suck it up I usually have a nap around 4 for an hour the day we arrive then get to bed about 10.30/11 that night
plus being at the pool for 10.30 am outweighs the tired feeling
enjoy your holiday

Elphamouche · 25/02/2024 21:39

You are being ridiculous.

You dont need to be in the airport until 4am. Sleep on the plane (you will if you’re that tired!) and then make the most of your time away.

I am a night owl not a morning person, but a 6am flight is always preferred for me than a 3pm! By the time you get to your hotel in Greece you’ve lost day 1.

ForTonightGodisaDJ · 25/02/2024 21:39

PersephonePomegranate23 · 25/02/2024 21:26

You may have the "whole" day but the reality is you are grumpy and have a headache because neither of you have slept. You need food and nap pretty much straight away. So really you end up only being functional in the late afternoon.

This just sounds like toddlers!

But still true lol.

PandorasTin · 25/02/2024 21:41

Put your make up in airport/on plame Get up 3.15 get to checking 03.45...grab breaking. SnooE onnplane. Nap by pool.in the sun once you arrive.

jay55 · 25/02/2024 21:43

It's a frustrating one as you arrive too early to check in and have a nap on arrival.

Hope it works out and you have a lovely time.

Alicewinn · 25/02/2024 22:23

I hate early morning flights too… you might be excited by the time the day comes?
if not, maybe a few G&T’s on the plane and sleep it off in the hotel

Onceuponaheartache · 25/02/2024 22:37

Having spent the last few weeks looking foe a honeymoon I would suspect he had little choice over flight times and he did well to get 6am!

I was looking for August and all the flights to the southern coast of Spain, canaries and the balerics are all between 1 and 3am flights there and back.

puzzledout · 25/02/2024 22:46

Marchintospring · 25/02/2024 21:21

I'm with you Op.

You may have the "whole" day but the reality is you are grumpy and have a headache because neither of you have slept. You need food and nap pretty much straight away. So really you end up only being functional in the late afternoon.
I usually aim for a lunchtime flight so I can get up at a normal time, smugly missing the rush hour. Have a drink and food at in the airport lounge and arrive in the early evening, room ready and out for dinner.
Also this, coming home. I used to get the last flight so I'd have an extra day but the flights are always delayed and you'd get back gone midnight feeling terrible.

Grumpy and a headache? Would they need a nappy change as well?

You'd need food no matter what time you flew?

LuckySantangelo35 · 25/02/2024 22:46

@getionnn

skip breakfast op. No one needs a boots meal deal at 6am. Hth.

LuckySantangelo35 · 25/02/2024 22:49

Marchintospring · 25/02/2024 21:21

I'm with you Op.

You may have the "whole" day but the reality is you are grumpy and have a headache because neither of you have slept. You need food and nap pretty much straight away. So really you end up only being functional in the late afternoon.
I usually aim for a lunchtime flight so I can get up at a normal time, smugly missing the rush hour. Have a drink and food at in the airport lounge and arrive in the early evening, room ready and out for dinner.
Also this, coming home. I used to get the last flight so I'd have an extra day but the flights are always delayed and you'd get back gone midnight feeling terrible.

@Marchintospring

most people manage to crack on and enjoy themselves cos they’re on holiday

and why would you need food? If you’ve missed a meal maybe otherwise no.

3luckystars · 25/02/2024 22:56

The poor pilots and staff, they have to get up early and actually work!
Hard!!
In the middle of the night!!!