I think it depends completely on where you are travelling to and from. South Africa, Mauritius and the Seychelles are long-haul without the jet lag, while America and Asia have the added complication of significant time differences. An overnight flight with no or little time difference is relatively easy with kids, compared to a short night-time return from the U.S. that leaves the whole family wishing they had never gone away (there are day time flights from the East Coast which can help)