Long flights can be formidable, but they don’t have to be boring! With the right mindset and a bit of preparation, you can easily turn your seemingly endless journey into a productive, relaxing, and even enjoyable experience. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or this is your first long-haul adventure, here are some things to keep you entertained and occupied on a long flight.
Watch Movies or TV Shows
Load up your device with a variety of movies and TV shows before your flight. Platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ allow you to download content for offline viewing. Airlines also offer in-flight entertainment with a range of options.
- Movies: Inception, Parasite, The Grand Budapest Hotel, La La Land, Interstellar
- TV Shows: Stranger Things, The Office, Breaking Bad, Friends, Game of Thrones
Read a Book or E-book
A good book can make time fly. Bring along a bestseller or dive into a new e-book on your Kindle or tablet. If you’re into fiction, consider Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens or The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.
- Fiction: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Normal People by Sally Rooney
- Non-Fiction: Educated by Tara Westover, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari, Becoming by Michelle Obama
Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts are a fantastic way to be entertained and informed without straining your eyes. Download episodes from your favorite podcasts or explore new ones before you board. True crime enthusiasts will love Serial and My Favorite Murder.
- True Crime: Serial, My Favorite Murder
- Comedy: The Joe Rogan Experience, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
- Business/Tech: How I Built This, The Daily
Listen to Music
Create playlists of your favorite songs or discover new music on Spotify or Apple Music. Tailor your playlists to your mood—opt for relaxing tunes with Spotify’s Acoustic Chill or get energized with Top Hits. Noise-canceling headphones can enhance your listening experience by drowning out the ambient noise of the plane.
- Relaxing Tunes: Acoustic Chill playlist on Spotify, Peaceful Piano by Apple Music
- Upbeat Hits: Top Hits playlist on Spotify, Today’s Hits on Apple Music
Sleep
Use the flight to catch up on some much-needed rest. Bring a comfortable neck pillow, a cozy travel blanket, and an eye mask to block out light. Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones can help you drift off by minimizing the sounds around you.
- Neck Pillow: Memory foam or inflatable options
- Blanket: A compact travel blanket
- Eye Mask and Earplugs: Block out light and noise for better rest
Play Games
Portable gaming consoles like the Nintendo Switch offer hours of entertainment with games like Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. If you prefer mobile gaming, download popular games such as Candy Crush Saga, Monument Valley, and Among Us. In-flight entertainment systems often feature a selection of games as well.
- Consoles: Nintendo Switch (games like Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild)
- Mobile Games: Candy Crush Saga, Monument Valley, Among Us
Write
Whether you’re jotting down your thoughts, starting a travel journal, or working on a novel, writing can be a great way to pass the time. Use apps like Evernote or Microsoft Word on your tablet or laptop. Writing can be therapeutic, allowing you to reflect on your experiences and articulate your thoughts.
- Travel Journal: Document your journey and experiences
- Novel: Start or continue your writing project
- Reflection: Write about your thoughts and goals
Watch a Stand-up Comedy Special
Nothing makes time fly like laughter. Download comedy specials to lighten the mood—try John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous, Hannah Gadsby: Nanette, or Ali Wong: Baby Cobra. Airlines often have a selection of comedy shows available in their entertainment systems.
- Specials: John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous, Hannah Gadsby: Nanette, Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
Draw or Sketch
Bring a sketchbook and some pencils, or use digital drawing apps like Procreate. Sketching can be a relaxing and creative way to pass the time. Whether you’re drawing landscapes, cityscapes, or people, it’s a great way to express your creativity and unwind.
- Scenes: Landscapes, cityscapes, or imaginary places
- People: Portraits of fellow travelers or fictional characters
- Digital Drawing: Use apps like Procreate for a versatile drawing experience
Do Puzzles
Keep your brain engaged with puzzle games like Sudoku, crosswords, and logic puzzles. Bring a puzzle book or download puzzle apps like Sudoku.com and the New York Times crossword app. Puzzles can provide a satisfying mental challenge and help the time pass quickly.
- Sudoku: Books or apps like Sudoku.com
- Crosswords: New York Times crossword app
- Logic Puzzles: Brain Games puzzle books
Plan Your Trip
Use the flight time to plan your itinerary, research your destination, and make notes of must-visit places. Apps like TripIt and Google Maps can be incredibly useful. Make a list of activities, restaurants, and landmarks you want to explore.
- Activities: Museums, parks, landmarks
- Restaurants: Popular local eateries
- Hidden Gems: Off-the-beaten-path attractions
Learn a Language
Download language apps like Duolingo or Babbel and start learning a new language. Focus on basics like common phrases, greetings, and numbers to get started. For more advanced learning, dive into grammar rules and conversational practice.
- Basics: Common phrases, greetings, and numbers
- Advanced: Grammar rules, conversational practice
- Apps: Duolingo, Babbel
Meditate
Use meditation apps like Headspace or Calm to relax and reduce any travel anxiety. Guided meditations and breathing exercises can help you stay calm and centered. Meditation can also help reduce stress and improve your overall well-being during the flight.
- Guided Meditations: Follow along with Headspace or Calm
- Breathing Exercises: Simple techniques to stay calm
- Mindfulness: Practice staying present and aware
Stretch and Move
In-seat exercises and stretches can keep your body comfortable and prevent stiffness. Simple leg stretches, shoulder rolls, and neck stretches can make a big difference. Taking a quick walk to the restroom can also help improve circulation.
- Leg Stretches: Flex and point your toes, lift and lower your legs
- Upper Body: Shoulder rolls, neck stretches, arm raises
- Walk: Take a brief walk to stretch your legs
Chat with Your Seatmate
If they seem friendly and interested, strike up a conversation with your seatmate. Share travel experiences, discuss hobbies and interests, or talk about books and movies. You might make a new friend or learn something interesting.
- Travel Experiences: Share stories and tips
- Hobbies and Interests: Find common ground
- Books/Movies: Discuss what you’re reading or watching
Color
Adult coloring books can be incredibly relaxing and fun. Bring along books like Secret Garden by Johanna Basford and Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford. Colored pencils or markers can help bring your creations to life.
- Books: Secret Garden by Johanna Basford, Enchanted Forest by Johanna Basford
- Supplies: Colored pencils, markers
- Relaxation: Enjoy the calming effects of coloring
Do a Digital Detox
Disconnect from screens and enjoy some unplugged time with a good book, magazine, or just staring out the window. Practice mindfulness and stay present in the moment. A digital detox can help you relax and recharge, making the flight more enjoyable.
- Read: Books or magazines
- Window View: Enjoy the scenery
- Mindfulness: Focus on the present moment
Snacks and Drinks
Indulge in some tasty snacks and maybe a drink or two. Pack your favorite treats like trail mix, chocolate, and granola bars. Enjoy a little wine or a cocktail to unwind.
- Snacks: Trail mix, chocolate, granola bars
- Drinks: Wine, cocktails, soda
- Hydration: Remember to drink water as well
Organize Photos
Go through your phone or camera and organize your
photos. Delete unwanted shots, create albums, and edit photos using apps like Snapseed or VSCO. Organizing your photos can be a great way to relive memories and ensure your digital collection is tidy.
- Delete Unwanted Shots: Free up space
- Create Albums: Organize by theme or trip
- Edit Photos: Enhance your favorites
Catch Up on Work
If you have to work, long flights can be a productive time to catch up on emails, reports, or other tasks. Use software like Microsoft Office to stay productive. Reading industry articles or documents can also help you stay informed and prepared.
- Emails: Respond and organize your inbox
- Reports: Review and edit documents
- Reading: Industry articles and research
Learn a New Skill
Watch tutorial videos or read about a new hobby or skill you’re interested in. Explore crafts like knitting, crochet, or origami. Learn new cooking recipes or photography tips.
- Tutorials: Online videos or apps
- Crafts: Knitting, crochet, origami
- Skills: Cooking recipes, photography tips
Create a Travel Playlist
Make a playlist for your trip with songs that remind you of your destination or just your favorite travel tunes. Platforms like Spotify or Apple Music make it easy to create and organize playlists. Music can set the mood for your journey and enhance your travel experience.
- Destination Songs: Music inspired by your travel spot
- Favorites: Your go-to travel tunes
- Platforms: Spotify, Apple Music
Daydream
Sometimes it’s nice to just sit back, close your eyes, and let your mind wander. Think about future plans, dream destinations, or personal goals. Daydreaming can be a relaxing and enjoyable way to pass the time.
- Future Plans: Imagine upcoming adventures
- Dream Destinations: Visualize your bucket list
- Personal Goals: Reflect on your aspirations
Write Postcards
Write postcards to friends and family. Share your travel experiences and thoughts with them. Add a personal touch with drawings or stickers.
- Messages: Describe your journey and experiences
- Personal Touches: Drawings, stickers
- Send: Mail them upon arrival
Browse Duty-Free
Flip through the duty-free catalog and see if there’s anything you might want to buy. Check out perfumes, electronics, and special treats. Duty-free shopping can be a fun way to pass the time and find great deals.
- Perfumes: Sample and purchase
- Electronics: Explore new gadgets
- Special Treats: Chocolates, souvenirs
Read Magazines
Bring along some magazines or read the ones provided by the airline. Popular genres include travel, fashion, and tech. Magazines can provide light and enjoyable reading material for your flight.
- Travel: Explore new destinations
- Fashion: Latest trends and styles
- Tech: Gadgets and innovations
Watch Documentaries
Learn something new by watching documentaries. Explore topics like nature, history, and science. Some recommendations include Planet Earth for stunning wildlife footage, The Vietnam War for a deep dive into history, and Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey for a journey through space and time.
- Nature: Planet Earth, Blue Planet
- History: The Vietnam War, 13th
- Science: Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, The Universe
Meditate
Find your inner peace with meditation. Use apps like Headspace or Calm to guide you through relaxation techniques and breathing exercises. Even a few minutes of mindfulness can help reduce stress and make your flight more pleasant.
- Guided Meditations: Headspace, Calm
- Breathing Exercises: Simple techniques to stay calm
- Mindfulness: Practice staying present and aware
Work on a Puzzle Book
Puzzles like Sudoku, crosswords, and word searches can keep your brain active and engaged. Bring along a puzzle book or download a puzzle app on your device. These activities can be both challenging and entertaining.
- Sudoku: Number puzzles to test your logic
- Crosswords: Word puzzles to expand your vocabulary
- Word Searches: Fun and engaging word hunts
Write a Journal
Document your travel experiences, thoughts, and reflections in a journal. Writing can be therapeutic and is a great way to capture memories. You can use a traditional notebook or digital apps like Evernote or Day One.
- Travel Experiences: Record your adventures and impressions
- Reflections: Write about your thoughts and feelings
- Goals: Outline your aspirations and plans
Learn to Knit or Crochet
Bring a small knitting or crochet project to work on. It’s a relaxing activity that can also result in a handmade item. Look for portable projects like scarves, hats, or small blankets.
- Scarves: Simple and portable
- Hats: Quick and satisfying
- Blankets: Small projects like baby blankets
Enjoy a Spa Moment
Turn your seat into a mini-spa with facial masks, hand creams, and eye patches. Pamper yourself with these small luxuries to feel refreshed. Bring travel-sized products for convenience.
- Facial Masks: Hydrating and soothing
- Hand Creams: Keep your skin moisturized
- Eye Patches: Reduce puffiness and fatigue
Catch Up on Podcasts
Download episodes of your favorite podcasts to enjoy during the flight. Whether you like true crime, comedy, or educational content, there’s something for everyone. Podcasts are perfect for relaxing or learning something new.
- True Crime: Serial, My Favorite Murder
- Comedy: The Joe Rogan Experience, Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend
- Educational: How I Built This, The Daily
Try Mind Games
Stimulate your brain with games like chess, checkers, or card games. You can play solo versions or find an opponent in your travel companion. Digital versions are also available on various apps.
- Chess: Strategy and tactics
- Checkers: Simple yet engaging
- Card Games: Solitaire, Rummy, or Poker
Enjoy a Drink
Indulge in a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Many airlines offer complimentary drinks, and it’s a nice way to unwind. Remember to stay hydrated with plenty of water as well.
- Wine: Red or white
- Cocktails: Gin and tonic, Bloody Mary
- Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling water, juice
Edit Your Photos
Use the flight time to go through your recent photos and edit them. Apps like Lightroom, Snapseed, and VSCO offer powerful tools for enhancing your pictures. Organize your photo library and create albums.
- Lightroom: Advanced photo editing
- Snapseed: User-friendly enhancements
- VSCO: Artistic filters and tools
Listen to Audiobooks
Audiobooks can transport you to different worlds without having to read. Download titles from Audible or your library’s digital collection. Choose from fiction, non-fiction, or self-help genres.
- Fiction: Harry Potter series, The Great Gatsby
- Non-Fiction: Educated by Tara Westover, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- Self-Help: Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
Make a Travel Scrapbook
Start a scrapbook of your journey with ticket stubs, photos, and notes. Bring a small notebook and adhesive to attach items as you go. This creative project will be a lovely keepsake of your trip.
- Ticket Stubs: Flights, trains, attractions
- Photos: Instant prints or small sizes
- Notes: Jot down memories and thoughts
Do Some Online Shopping
Browse online stores and take advantage of in-flight Wi-Fi to do some shopping. Look for travel essentials, gifts, or items you’ve been wanting to buy. Make sure to check for duty-free options as well.
- Travel Essentials: Gadgets, accessories
- Gifts: Souvenirs, unique finds
- Duty-Free: Perfumes, chocolates, electronics
Try In-Flight Exercises
Simple in-seat exercises can help keep you active and reduce discomfort. Perform leg stretches, ankle rotations, and seated twists. These exercises can help improve circulation and prevent stiffness.
- Leg Stretches: Flex and point your toes, lift and lower your legs
- Ankle Rotations: Circulate your ankles
- Seated Twists: Gentle twists to relieve tension
Solve a Rubik’s Cube
Bring along a Rubik’s Cube or other puzzle toys to challenge your mind. Solving these puzzles can be a fun and engaging way to pass the time. You can also learn new solving techniques online.
- Rubik’s Cube: Classic 3×3 puzzle
- Puzzle Toys: Brain teasers, logic puzzles
- Techniques: Learn from online tutorials
Create a Vision Board
Use magazines, apps, or even a notebook to create a vision board for your goals and dreams. Cut out inspiring images and words, or use digital tools to design your board. This can be a motivating and creative activity.
- Magazines: Cut out images and words
- Apps: Digital vision board tools
- Notebook: Sketch and paste your inspirations
Listen to Relaxation Music
Create a playlist of calming music to help you relax and unwind. Genres like classical, ambient, or nature sounds can be very soothing. Use noise-canceling headphones for the best experience.
- Classical: Beethoven, Mozart
- Ambient: Brian Eno, Moby
- Nature Sounds: Rain, ocean waves
Watch a Stand-Up Comedy Special
Download some stand-up comedy specials to keep you laughing. Comedians like John Mulaney, Ali Wong, and Kevin Hart offer plenty of laughs. Laughter is a great way to pass the time and lift your spirits.
- John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous
- Ali Wong: Baby Cobra
- Kevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain
Plan Your Next Adventure
Use the flight time to dream about and plan your next trip. Research destinations, activities, and accommodations. Make a list of places you want to visit and start creating an itinerary.
- Research Destinations: Explore new places
- Activities: Find must-see attractions
- Accommodations: Look for unique stays
Final Thoughts
Long flights don’t have to be tedious. With a little creativity and preparation, you can make the most of your time in the air. Whether you choose to be productive, entertained, or relaxed, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself engaged. So next time you’re facing a long-haul journey, refer to this list and find the perfect activities to make your flight enjoyable and memorable.
Safe travels!
