Flying on Christmas Day/Christmas Eve

Has anyone done this?

I have the option of flying overnight from the USA on 24 or 25 December, arriving in London the morning of 25 or 26 December.

My family is UK based, but we regularly move "our" Christmas Day around that time, as I travel so much, so there's no pressure to arrive in time for lunch on the 25th.

I'm just wondering what the flight is like. Empty? Festive!? Is the JFK lounge a depressing experience on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Just curious...

I flew on Christmas Day from LGW to ANU and also LHR to DXB. There were no celebrations taking place at either the CH ( Only pied Christmas Carols playing ) or on board the flight except for the choice of a turkey dinner. It was more or less like flying on any other day.

I've flown to Vegas for last 3 Christmas Days.
Flights have been very busy if not full, mainly due to the prices being slightly cheaper on this day.
Flight itself was normal, but with Xmas dinner and staff wearing Santa hats.
Airport and lounge seemed little quieter though.

No experience of Christmas but once came back from Hawaii on Thanksgiving . The airports were quiet and subdued but the flights were pretty full.
The only real disadvantage was three turkey thanksgiving dinners, one Trans Pacific, one Trans Continental and the last Trans Atlantic!

Interesting. Good to get this info (especially on the turkey), thanks.

We've done both and I have to say Christmas Eve was great excitement at LGW, lots of party atmosphere. Christmas Day I did long before family arrived and that was dull as dishwasher.......but then my life wasn't as great as it later became!

i flew boxing day 10 years ago auckland to singapore, just like any other flight except quite bad turbulence.

Flew to Mexico in UC a few years back on Christmas Day. There was a Christmas dinner and mince pies but that was it.

Thanks for all the feedback, everyone. I think I might lower my expectations now!

For most long haul airlines, Christmas Day is just another day. There are far more people in the world who don't celebrate Christmas than do.

For most long haul airlines, Christmas Day is just another day. There are far more people in the world who don't celebrate Christmas than do.

very true.
we dont really "do" christmas either lol

True, gumshoe, but 25 December is a major holiday/observance across the world, including highly populated countries such as India and also countries with huge landmasses (like Sudan).

In many places it is - today - observed for non-Christian reasons (Pakistan, for example). Certainly most people in the world do not celebrate Christmas as Christians, but I'd guess that most people are living in places where 25 December is designated as some kind of official holiday/observance/celebration.

Then there are the non-official observances (i.e. China, but then in Hong Kong it is an official holiday).

i flew boxing day 10 years ago auckland to singapore, just like any other flight except quite bad turbulence.

Too much Christmas pudding I guess

i flew boxing day 10 years ago auckland to singapore, just like any other flight except quite bad turbulence.

Too much Christmas pudding I guess

Or sprouts.

Christmas Eve flying back to London would have been will be happy because the crew are off for Christmas. Flying to somewhere Christmas Day, I imagine the crew to be a bit peeved they have to miss out in Christmas at home.

Christmas Eve flying back to London would have been will be happy because the crew are off for Christmas. Flying to somewhere Christmas Day, I imagine the crew to be a bit peeved they have to miss out in Christmas at home.

I would love to have an excuse to either, not visit mother in law or not have to collect her Christmas day.

When I was working shifts I was more than happy to work Christmas day.

Bah humbug.

Dick D

We flew LGW-MCO Christmas Eve 2012, flight was about 3/4 full and there was nothing extra on board, just another day. LGW was as busy as any other day.

One thing we did notice was that Immigration at MCO took even longer, obviously they had a reduced staff on duty , which saw only about 6 of the desks open.

Flew to HKG on last Christmas Day, nothing really special. The airport and flight operated like any other days. There was turkey Xmas dinner on the flight.

I am flying to Dubai Christmas Day evening. I have done this before a few years ago. the VS400 Airbus was replaced by a giant sleigh and the pilots name was Santa Claus - the crew were very small with pointy ears and insistent on giving presents. maybe I had been drinking.
Seriously though found the crew to be in good spirits and was aware it was Christmas as some of them were wearing tinsel on their heads. LHR was surprisingly busy. oh and Gucci tend to start their sale on Christmas Day

What about flying an overnight on NYE? We are thinking about doing that from the East Coast to LHR. When exactly do they say it's midnight? US time or UK time?

What about flying an overnight on NYE? We are thinking about doing that from the East Coast to LHR. When exactly do they say it's midnight? US time or UK time?

We were on VS002 on Thursday, so a 9pm EST departure and hence already 2016 in the UK at that time. We had tuned in to Radio 4 in the Clubhouse and raised a glass at 7pm EST.

On the flight those that were still awake at 12 midnight EST were offered a glass of champagne and a whispered Happy New Year. I don't know whether this was just in UC.

Despite working NYE the crew seemed very cheerful and from the FSM down worked hard and were very engaging. We clearly benefited though from a half full UC cabin.

Thanks, pretty low key really then.

Thanks, pretty low key really then.

True, but in a good way. I guess they were sticking to the protocols of the night flight.

One thing I forgot to mention was that the EWR staff came around with trays loaded with champagne and Redhead cocktails at one point in the evening to celebrate the New Year.

Ahh, nice. We may see for ourselves next time. Thanks.

Ahh, nice. We may see for ourselves next time. Thanks.

To be honest, we've never been big on the "bonhomie" of NYE and the experience we had suited us down to the ground.

Another thing I forgot to mention (nothing to do with my, ahem, consumption) is that we got a small gift on the flight.