25 Ways To Pass The Time On A Flight
We all know how quickly a flight (especially a long-haul one) can become boring and tiring. So, to deal with it without losing your mind, here are 25 activities that will help you pass the time and turn a nightmarish 10-hour flight into a productive or relaxing experience!
Without further ado, here’s my list!
Save it for later!
1. Read
Probably the one thing that hasn’t disappeared yet, and the first activity that many people actually enjoyed before the rise of smartphones and scrolling the internet. Whether it’s a magazine, a novel, your Kindle, or a newspaper (yes, they still exist), reading will transport you to an imaginary world and make you lose track of time.
Plus, you don’t need Wi-Fi, which is great when there isn’t any on board! A timeless yet iconic hobby!
2. Sleep
Honestly, there’s no better way to pass the time than to fall into Morpheus’ arms and wake up already at your destination.
Sleeping on a plane isn’t always easy or possible for everyone, but if you can manage it, you’ll get your bearings faster once you’ve landed. It’s always better than having to deal with formalities and transportation when you haven’t slept for the last 24 hours and, to top it all off, you look disheveled.
3. Enjoy the view from the window
If you’ve chosen the window seat or are lucky enough to get it, make the most of it! It’s not every day you get the chance to watch the sky up close, separated by a simple cabin.
I know I can spend hours watching the clouds, not to mention the fact that sunrises and sunsets seen from above are truly magical!
4. Take pictures of the sky
Since we’re talking about window seats, now is time to put your photography skills to good use and snap as many photos as you can of the sky and clouds.
Play with your camera and find the next photo to hang above your bed!
5. Organize your photos and apps
Maybe you haven’t had the chance to do this before leaving, but if you’re on your way to your vacation, you’ll definitely need that extra storage space. Browse through your old photos and delete the ones you find too embarassing or blurry, or download them to the cloud before putting them in the trash.
The same goes for apps: do a quick analysis of the ones you haven’t used in ages, and delete them!
6. Edit your memories
But what if you’re on your way back home? Time to edit those thousands of photos and videos then. Turn them into post, reels, or simply unforgettable memories, and reminisce those fun days!
Watch out though, you might get a little teary-eyed thinking back on those good times!
7. Draw or color
You’re never too old for coloring books! First, they’re relaxing, and second, they’re fun! Plus, no one’s there to tell you not to go outside the line (where would the fun be otherwise)? Do whatever you like and create colorful masterpieces!
And if you’re an artist, then drawing will make a long flight fly by in the blink of an eye. You can always draw inspiration from your travels and memories to create new works!
8. Start journaling
More of a writer than a painter or designer? Journaling is for you!
Whether it’s to write about your trip, your current feelings, or to write an entire novel completely, journaling is a great way to express what’s on your mind or create your own world!
9. Watch a movie or TV series
Life can be so hectic sometimes that you miss out on new movies, TV series… which end up piling up on your watchlist for months.
So every time I fly, especially on a long-haul flight, it’s an opportunity for me to relax and catch up on those movies that just came out (well, new to me, anyway).
Put on your headphones, get as comfy as possible, and enjoy two hours of uninterrupted movie-watching, provided, of course, that no in-flight announcements come along to ruin the most thrilling moment.
10. Work
5 or 10 hours can be pretty long when you’re stuck on board, but that doesn’t have to be the case if you focus on your work.
Draft those blog posts, brainstorm new business ideas, or reply to those email that have been sitting on your inbox for 4 days.
Whatever your do, having a clear goal in mind and ticking off things on your to-do list will help you put those long hours into perspective and think of them as a productive time.
11. Listen to music or a podcast
What’s the next thing I can’t live without, besides the beach and a good book? Music!
Music sets the mood and helps relieve stress, so why not listen to your favorite artist at 30,000 feet? Listening to music can also be a great way to think about something else or help you relax if you’re afraid of flying.
And let’s not forget podcasts, which can help you pass the time while giving you your dose of culture or simply entertaining you.
12. Play games
You can use your phone, the in-flight entertainment system, or go old school and play compact card games.
Whatever your choose and whether you’re a gamer or not, a pinball or puzzle game, for example, can easily keep you occupied for a few hours before you get bored and decide to switch to a different game or activity.
13. Practice the language
Traveling to a new country with a basic knowledge of the language can really help you!
And since you’ve a few hours to spare before reaching your destination, you’ve no excuse not to get started and practice the language.
There are heaps of apps to choose from, but you can also use YouTube, podcasts, music, or bring your own flashcards. The best way to learn is to make it a game: something you enjoy doing, not a chore!
14. Plan your trip
If you haven’t planned anything yet, now’s the time to get to it! While I wouldn’t recommend researching a country at the last-minute (as it can be pretty stressful), if you haven’t had time beforehand, then do it on board.
Don’t plan every little detail, though! Just look up the things you absolutely want to see and do, how to get from the airport to your accommodation, and the country’s culture.
And if you’ve already planned your trip a little bit, you can check the weather, look up restaurants, and get yourself even more excited.
15. Snack
Because airplane food is far from the best, buy some snacks in advance or a sandwich and enjoy them on board while watching a movie or reading.
Don’t bring anything with a strong smell though! Be considerate of your fellow passengers!
16. Pamper yourself
Spending long hours on a plane means dehydrated skin, acne, irritation… So do you know what that means?
It’s the perfect time for a facial, of course! No matter what people think, but pampering yourself mid-air is next level!
Keep it simple: a sheet mask or eye mask and a facial mist will leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the next few hours with glowing skin!
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too!
17. Get creative
Learning new skills during a flight is another way of passing the time. In fact, it doesn’t have to be something new!
You can also indulge in your usual hobby such as knitting, painting, calligraphy, scrapbooking…
The choice is yours, but by keeping your hands busy, you’ll take your mind off of things during those long hours of waiting while having fun!
18. Think
Easy and free, here’s another activity you can enjoy during a flight: thinking! It’s the ideal time to lose yourself in your own mind and sort out your thoughts!
If you’re into meditation, even better, and ideal for relieving some stress.
You can also visualize your destination and all the fun you’ll have there!
19. Stretch
Sitting for long hours is never a good idea, whether on a plane or at home. In fact, it’s even worse on a plane, as it can not only cause knee pain, back pain, but even deep vein thrombosis.
That’s why you should remember to stretch your legs and body by walking up and down the aisles, and standing up every couple of hours, especially on long-haul flights.
20. Create a playlist
Good times deserves good music, so why not create a playlist just for your trip?
Summer vibes for beach destinations, karaoke songs and rock if you’re planning a road trip, or soft, melodic and instrumental tracks for a more peaceful retreat!
21. Take an online course
Remember when I said that learning new skills was a great way to pass the time? Well, that’s where online classes come in.
From finance to IT and art, choose a topic that interests you or something in which you’d like to improve your skills.
22. Do a Sudoku puzzle or 10
Do you remember back when everyone was playing Sudoku and it was all the rage (in the early 2000’s)?
While it definitely makes me feel old, I remember how much fun it was and how focused I was, so much so that I could finish an entire Sudoku book in a few hours if I had my way! It just goes to show how absorbed you get in the game and how quickly you lose track of time.
I guess it’s time to dig out those Sudoku books again!
23. Plan your next trip
Personally, I’m always thinking about my next trip, be it abroad, or as soon when I’m on the flight back.
Not only does this keep my wanderlust alive, but more importantly, it helps me forget about the sometimes uncomfortable seats, crying babies, and noisy passengers.
Planning one, two or ten trips in my head feeds my curiosity and makes me excited to embark on new adventures and create new memories!
24. Share a meaningful or fun conversation with your seatmate
It goes without saying, but if you’re traveling with friends, family or as a couple, spending time chatting together isn’t only fun but also the ideal way to kill time.
You can reminisce about all the quirky, extraordinary, or unbelievable stories that happened during your trip, but you can also talk about your expectations and concerns if you’re on your way to your vacation.
Having someone by your side truly lightens the burden and provides great support for reducing stress. Plus, everyone brings their own skills to the trip.
25. Do a few yoga poses
Stretching and walking up and down the aisle is good, but sometimes you’ll still feel stiff or have neck pain that no amount of stretching can alleviate.
Unless you take advantage of the flight to do a few easy seated yoga poses. Seated twist, neck rolls, breathing exercises, and more: simple yoga poses are ideal for relieving tension while being pretty inconspicuous.
And that’s it! You’re ready to fly away and enjoy even those long flight hours without getting bored. Are there any other things you like to do to on a plane to pass the time? Leave them in the comments!
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