East Coast USA - Best Flight Times?

[Theonlyoneiknow]

Hi,
I am flying to Boston in April for the marathon and not sure when is the best time to fly. I have the option to leave UK early morning and arrive in Boston early afternoon, or leave UK mid afternoon and arrive in Boston early/late evening?

Coming home I can leave USA either early morning and be home the same day, or leave at teatime and take an overnight flight and be home by lunchtime.

I am not sure what is best? Any advice gratefully received!
Thank You

Are you running?

I think it depends on whether you're a night or morning person. I was told by an early riser that the early US -> UK flight means you can go to bed when you get in but I'm a night person and it didn't work that way for me.

I always take the mid-afternoon flight to the US and a late flight (21:30) back but even if I sleep on the plane I always struggle with jet lag when I come home. Most people find it easier to fly east to west, so you should be fine going there.

Hi, yes am running it! If I take the early Boston to UK flight home I can save a bit of holiday as can go to work (jet lagged!) the next day. Although it means leaving Boston v.early the day after I have ran the marathon which is perhaps not ideal ....... I don't like the pressure of having to sleep on a plane and my legs might seize up. Taking the overnight flight though would give me the whole next day to chill out in Boston.........

Not sure what is best to do for outbound. Instinct says to leave as early as possible otherwise I am arriving in Boston (solo!) at 8pm so will head straight to hotel/food really. Prices are the same whatever option I choose.

Would rather not be flying to Boston on my own but DP has to stay and look after the kids and I don't know anyone else running it

I would take the mid afternoon flight out and the overnight one back (have done similar to and from NYC and this has worked out well). You will need to be at the airport around 3 hours before departure in any case.

The flight duration from Boston to the UK is relatively short; it can arrive in the UK in around 6 to 6.5 hours but is dependent on how strong the tail winds are.

Good luck with the marathon!.

Thank you! I did ponder over upgrading to premium economy on way home but the trip is already costing an absolute fortune! I hate setting alarms for travel so maybe best to enjoy that last day in Boston with no pressure!

Take the mid afternoon flight out so you'll be going to bed about the right time Boston time, and come back on a night flight. I've done that daytime flight from Boston and really don't like it, plus you'll have to get moving pretty early (is it still a 10am departure?) when you could do with a soak, good breakfast and a slow start.

Good luck with the marathon, and congrats on qualifying

I'd go for the options that give you the longest there. Early afternoon departure from the UK and evening departure from Boston sound the best for running prep and recovery

You'll find lots of marathon people when you get there. You will feel silly at first wearing your official marathon top when you go out and about, but then you will realise that there are lots of other people wearing them and suddenly you are part of a community

Thanks - I have to get a connecting flight from Scotland to London so that means a 7am flight (urgh) so 5am wake up (double urgh).

It would be the same on the way home if I took the 7am Boston to UK flight.

I am no doubt overthinking this! I am going on my own. I have travelled the world solo in my younger years however now I have a couple of children I have become much more anxious and unable to handle stress! Wish there was someone waiting at the finish line but that's just the way it is! Was the same when I did Manchester - travel/hotel/run/home all on my own. I don't mind my own company for a little while but 5 days in Boston is plenty, hopefully I can find some other solo female runners beforehand!

Do you have to fly via London? If you fly via Dublin you can pre-clear immigration there, so when you land in Boston you don't have to stand in line for so long

I think Air Lingus was quite a bit more price wise - will double check though! Also thought about via Iceland

Via Iceland can be much cheaper (especially if you fly with just hand luggage and don't have to worry about keeping kids fed and watered) but can take longer for the transit

Swings and roundabouts, innit

Personally I’d go so that outbound you don’t have to get up early to get a flight bearing in mind you’ll want to stay up that first night to try to combat jet lag.

returning - get one which is the latest or relatively late. Do not get a 6pm flight back otherwise you’ll be arriving really early as it’s not that long a flight and you’ll feel rubbish being woken at 5 am after only getting a few hours sleep. Eat in airport before flying.

Good luck in marathon

I really appreciate the advice all. The 7pm flight home lands in London about 8am I think then there is a connecting flight to Aberdeen about 10am. I think via London was the quickest by a few hours .......

All this to run 26.2 miles! I sometimes question my sanity but might never qualify again so grabbing the opportunity