Red-eye flights, which see travelers in the sky overnight, have many benefits for business travelers, including cheaper airfares, quieter boarding, and the ability to fly there and back in a day.

But, for all their business sense, these options for effortless travel do have one significant downside – they can leave you looking a little worse for wear. That needn’t be a problem if you’re heading straight to your hotel to get fixed up, but what if you’re booked in for a meeting right away?

This isn’t unlikely if you chose a red eye to cut accommodation costs, but it’s less than ideal. After all, the very name of these flights is a testament to the state you can expect to be in by the time you touch down. Turn up to your meeting like that and your chance of securing a client will quickly fade.

Luckily, there are ways to look fresh for a meeting when you’re fresh from a red eye. Keep on reading to find out what they are.

# 1 – Make Sure You Sleep on the Plane

We know what you’re thinking – sleeping on a red eye can feel like an impossible goal, but it’s one you should strive towards anyway. Even short bursts of sleep during your flight’s duration will help you avoid the notorious ‘red eye’ look. You’ll certainly look fresher than you would if you stayed up all night drinking airline coffee! Top tips for sleeping as well as possible on your flight include booking a seat with extra legroom or even upgrading to business class where your cabin will be quieter, and your seat will probably lie flat if you want it to.

# 2 – Have a Prearranged Airport Plan

If you thought you looked bad fresh from your red-eye flight, it’ll be nothing compared to the state you’ll be in if you have to rush around once you reach the airport. So, keep that part of your trip calm by simply pre-arranging your arrival plan as much as possible.

Let’s say you’re catching a red eye to New York. Your first step should be to check out washing and changing facilities on site which, in locations like JFK, will likely require you to have lounge access that you should book in advance. Then, simply pack a change of shirt and trousers in your hand luggage to ensure a complete refresh. You’ll also want to book luggage storage New York to ensure you can easily get rid of any lingering bags. Lastly, plan your route on the subway so you know exactly where you’re going, or book a ride with a local Uber driver who can quickly get you to your meeting.

# 3 – Buy Yourself Some Time

You can also save yourself from rushing by simply making sure to plan your meeting around your flight times, rather than the other way around. Ideally, you’ll want to give yourself around three-four hours post-flight before your meeting begins, as this buys you time for potential flight delays (which are less likely on a red eye anyway), as well as ensuring you’ve got ample time to prepare on arrival.

This can be difficult to manage if a client has a limited schedule, in which case you might need to narrow that timeframe a little. But, if your client is entirely flexible, which they hopefully will be if they’re based nearby, then don’t be afraid to ask for a later start time.

# 4 – Refuel Before Meeting Takeoff

Whether you eat onboard or not, your post-flight exhaustion will inevitably be worse (and look worse) if you don’t take a little time to refuel before your meeting. While you’ll want to spend a lot of your pre-flight period actively freshening up, you’re sure to benefit from taking a pitstop.

While it might be tempting to opt for a fast food option here, don’t. Remember, even if it feels like the end of a long day for you, you’ll likely be looking to eat around breakfast time. And, no one wants a burger for breakfast! Not to mention that choosing an unhealthy option will likely contribute to any post-flight bloating.

Instead, choose fuel that’s genuinely going to help you compose yourself, such as hydration with healthy juices and sustaining healthy breakfasts like porridge, greek yogurt, and eggs.

A red eye could well be the best option for arriving at a business meeting in style. Simply make sure you look as professional as possible post-flight using these pointers.