Luxury trips are great, but they often mean you need to get on a plane and go through a long flight before you reach your destination, and the problem is that those long flights can feel never-ending. But don’t worry – with a good plan and a great flight bag packed with everything you need, you can turn a long flight into an enjoyable experience (or close to it, anyway). With that in mind, here are some ideas about how to stay entertained at 35,000 feet and keep yourself occupied during even the longest of long haul flights; read on to find out more.
Bring Your Favorite Entertainment With You
One of the easiest ways to stay entertained on a long flight is to bring your own entertainment with you, which could be music, movies, TV shows, podcasts, and so on. Just having something to watch and listen to can really make the time fly by, and if it’s something you already know you like, you won’t have to waste any time deciding which program to put on.
The important part about this is to make sure you download what you want before you get on the plane; check your streaming services to see if that’s possible (many do allow it, but some might require an upgrade to your plan, so you’ll have to decide whether that’s worthwhile or not). It’s better to download more than you’re going to need so that you’ve got a bit of choice or in case there are any delays – the last thing you’ll want is to run out of entertainment with hours left to go. As for music, you could create a playlist of your favorite tunes or podcasts that will keep you nice and relaxed or excited (depending on your preference). Many people love to listen to music so they can zone out during a boring or unnerving flight, so it could be just the ticket.
Play A Game
Playing a game is another fantastic way to stay entertained on long flights, and you can pick anything at all (and even any way to play it), so if you like board games, card games, online games, or anything else, you can play it on the plane. If you prefer digital entertainment, download a few games to your phone or tablet to pass the time; classics like spider solitaire are perfect for flights because they’re simple and can keep you entertained for hours, so they’re possibly the right way to go for you. Of course, you can always pack some travel-sized board games if you want to, but you will need to make sure there’s space in your flight bag for them, and you’ll need to clear room on your plane table, so although they’re small and fun, they’re not always practical – just think ahead if you’re planning on taking games so you know what to expect.
Watch In-Flight Entertainment
Most long-haul flights offer entertainment, which means you don’t actually have to bring your own (unless you want to). So why not take advantage of the airline’s movie or TV show selections to keep yourself occupied for a few hours?
Even browsing the selection can be a fun way to pass some time if you consider each film as you pass by. You’ll come across all sorts of movies, including not just older films and classics, but new releases, so if you miss them at the cinema, now’s the time to catch up – after all, with hours ahead of you, you could get two or three movies in (maybe more, depending on where you’re going) and be completely up to date. If you’re starting to get restless from watching movies for hours, try breaking up your screen time by alternating between watching a film and doing something else, like reading a book or playing a game – it can help make the time go faster if you change what you’re doing once in a while.
Journal Or Doodle
If you’re in the mood for something creative, what about bringing a journal or sketchbook onto the plane with you? Writing or doodling is a lovely way to stay entertained and it’s relaxing, so you can let your mind wander and really enjoy what you’re doing, even if you are doing it high up in the air. You could use the flight as an opportunity to think back, think ahead, brainstorm, and plan, and you can do it either in a specific way using a travel journal, for example, or something more general by using a personal diary. Whatever you do, writing can be a really productive way to pass the time, and if you’re also making plans or working things out, then it’s going to be even better. Or if you’re more artistically inclined, a sketchbook or adult coloring book can keep your hands busy and help you relax, and it’s a great stress-reliever, so why not?
