16 Things To Do On A Plane And Pass The Time On Long Flights

I’ve been trying to get more creative with ideas for things to do on a long flight, as sometimes it feels like time essentially stops when you’re up there.

The minute you think you’ve got this, you realize you’re not even halfway to your destination.

While I love catching up on the movies Brian doesn’t want to share with me on the ground, there are only so many emotionally manipulative movies out there.

This guide digs into all of my favorite things to do to kill time on a long flight, plus a few quirky ideas when you’re bored as heck and need more from the experience.

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Take advantage of the free movies.

Let’s start with a classic. Being on an airplane is the time to binge-watch all of the flicks you missed in the theater or on the plethora of streaming apps out there.

It’s also the time to catch up with movies you just haven’t gotten around to. Maybe it’s not a priority at home to find out what happens when the love of your life has a terminal illness, secret family, phantom pregnancy, etc.

I have a friend who told me that she watches all of the movies on the plane that she’s embarrassed to watch at home.

I relate, girl.

Anything particularly emotionally manipulative is fair game for what’s playing inside those noise-canceling headphones.

Fun fact: Those types of movies typically star Amanda Seyfried or a dog that teaches its human counterparts various life lessons about humility, the importance of family, or race car driving in the rain.

I find myself so distracted by all of the choices that I miss that sleeping window they tell me to take advantage of to avoid the worst jet lag on the ground. I choose my choices, especially on 10-hour flights.

If you’re on a flight that isn’t loaded up with all of those free movie choices, you’ll need to come prepared. Bring that iPad along, loaded up with similar fare that’s been taking up space on your Netflix or Amazon queue.

If you’re traveling with someone you’d like to share the movie with, you’ll need a splitter. A basic one will do, and now you can laugh and cry together.

Brian and I are also those nerds who try to start in-flight entertainment at the exact same so that we can have well-timed reactions to crazy things happening.

Break out the colors.

Coloring isn’t just for kids.

Adult coloring books are already quite popular on the ground. (Brian’s grandfather LOVED them!) Why not bring one along for the air?

There are so many fun themes out there that can connect with where you’re going, too. Just watch those free drinks if you’re working on staying within the lines.

READ MORE: Inspired by good art, or whatever it is you’re coloring over there? Keep that vibe going by dreaming about a trip to Giverny.

Play some airplane games.

Mini-board games can be a lot of fun on airplanes if you’re traveling in a pair or more. Most of the popular options come with contained, magnetic pieces that you’ll have an easier time keeping track of during turbulence.

If you’re traveling solo, there’s more than Sudoku and Solitaire. Palm Island and One Card Dungeon are two I’ve seen hyped up on game forums.

For even less work and less cost, subscribe below for an instant pack of airplane-ready games plus a printable puzzle to bring along on your next long-faul flight. These are originals created by yours truly, so don’t expect Dungeons & Dragons.

Journal your heart out.

If you’re an avid traveler, now is the time to catch up on notes from those travels. I love using my plane time to jot down highlights from recent travels or even future thoughts that may appear here.

It doesn’t even have to be travel-related. Work on some positive affirmations. Write a poem for your dog back home. Whatever brings you joy and kills some time sounds good to me.

Read something good.

I always have my Kindle loaded up with a few books that need my attention. There’s usually a breezy beach read in the mix, one non-fiction, and something a little heavier.

You don’t need to mix it up if you don’t want to, and can even bring physical books if touching those pages makes you feel something. I like the e-reader for the space it saves, especially because it’s linked to my local library.

Listen to a podcast.

True crime fiends, now’s your time.

Podcasts are how I get through jogs around the block. Oh, who am I kidding? Podcasts are how I get through walks around the block unless my dog decides to play “chase me.” A long flight is a great time to catch up on those ear stories.

Listening to podcasts can also be more educational that what I just described. Work on your languages, personal development, or listen to some news. If you’re anything like Brian, you may catch a snooze when those hosts get too in the weeds.

People-watch.

Long-haul flights are the best and the worst. They’re the best because you’re going on a trip. The worst is because being stuck in a cramped seat surrounded by hundreds of strangers can feel soul-crushing.

It’s important to remind yourself that you’re not alone in your fate. If you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on what you observe), you could encounter some pretty weird stuff to entertain yourself with.

Maybe you’re seated next to someone eating a sequence of meats pulled out of their bag over the course of your flight. Perhaps there’s an immediate love connection happening to your right.

Watching people behave in bizarre or intriguing ways can make a long-haul flight more bearable, as long as they’re keeping their airplane etiquette in check.

Practice your Italian.

I’m saying Italian because I wish I knew Italian. All of those language apps you’ve been ignoring have a captive audience on a long flight, so practicing your language skills is one of the best things to do on a plane. Just do it quietly.

These days, I’m probably working on my French. It’s definitely a work in progress.

Get moving.

Your compression socks can’t work in isolation. You should practice some stretching over the course of a long-haul flight to avoid blood clots and just feel better about yourself.

Stretch your feet, legs, arms, and back periodically to maintain circulation and prevent stiffness, especially if you’re getting to a certain age as we are.

Note: Ankle rolls, foot flexes, and shoulder shrugs are all good without leaving your seat.

Getting up once in a while is important, too. You’ll probably need bathroom breaks anyway from all the water you’re sipping on to stay hydrated. (That one is important in the air, too.)

Take a few laps up and down the aisle and sneak in a deeper full-body stretch while you wait for the lav.

Work your brain.

I’ve already mentioned a few ways to get those brain synapses firing. Crosswords, word searches, Sudoku…it’s all gravy for your brain, baby.

I’ll even consider Wordle appropriate for this list, as that trend has outlasted all of my predictions.

If you’re a workaholic and it’ll make you feel better to check in with the job, you can also use some of that captive time to catch up on work. I’m definitely not a fan of that plan, but have worked in jobs where I was damned to this fate.

Imagine stories about the secret lives of passengers.

Again, you can only watch so many movies before things start getting weird.

If you’re traveling with someone, pick a few passengers up and down the aisle and try your hand at storytelling. You can start with the grown men kicking your seatback or the gal wearing the onesie in business class.

As silly as it might sound, when sleep-deprived and breathing in recycled air, things can get quite humorous. This tip works with rail travel, too.

Keep the snacks flowing.

I’m talking Pringles and any other weird chip flavors I was able to snag from the duty-free shop before my flight. I also love a good gummy bear situation, especially when I’m watching something super dramatic. It’s a perfect pairing.

Note: I’d recommend skipping the snacks available from the flight crew. They’re probably fine, but you’ll spend way more than you should for the pleasure of convenience.

Shop for snacks either at your origin point — this will be the cheapest — or at the airport shops to save money.

Do some trip planning.

If you still haven’t fleshed out all of the places you’re traveling to, there’s no time like the present. I even like to plan future trips while I’m on long-haul flights, which makes Brian a little crazy.

Those in-flight magazines are great inspiration for this sort of thing, but that means someone hasn’t already stolen yours from the seat pocket.

READ MORE: If Airbnbs are a part of your trip planning, check out my guide to avoid falling prey to garbage listings.

Entertain the baby.

First of all, you’re very brave to be traveling with little ones. I admittedly get a little antsy if I see babies in my row when I’m traveling, as I’m already preparing for the worst. No, it isn’t fair.

Fun fact: Most parents hate long-haul flights for this very reason.

One great way to pass the time is to carry some travel toys for babies and kids and activities to do on a plane, like travel board games. For the younger set, make sure that the toys are age-appropriate. Think about what you liked traveling as a kid.

Maybe your baby likes to mix things up. Bring a few go-tos and a few new toys to keep them busy. Just stay away from the loud, interactive toys. These would disturb both you and the passengers around you.

Try to sleep.

This one is a no-brainer, right? I usually sleep terribly on airplanes. It stinks. A good airplane pillow and eye mask helps, but even then it’s a struggle.

You should still try to sleep on a long-haul flight if only to be even slightly rested upon arrival.

Chat with a neighbor.

To be honest, I rarely do this. If you’re really struggling and you’ve tried everything else, though, feel free to engage with the chatty neighbor next to you. If they’re not chatty, though, avoid this tactic at all costs.

Really long flights don’t have to be THAT miserable.

I mean, I’m never going to love air travel, despite how astounded I should be that I can board a flight in one place and land somewhere completely different.

The science is impressive. The way airlines have nickel-and-dimed us into oblivion while making flights as uncomfortable as possible is anything but.

I’m still going to use all of the tools at my disposal to make flying a little bit happier. Sometimes, that means having a good cry over a very good boy on the in-flight entertainment systems in front of me. It’s cathartic.

Want more travel tips? Check these out next:

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• College Kids, Should You Study Abroad?
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• Questions Before Booking a Trip With Friends
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• U.S. Cities We Really Didn’t Like That Much
• Thanksgiving Is an Excellent Time to Go Abroad
• How to Be a Less Annoying Travel Photographer

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