There's no doubt that air travel is a great way to get anywhere in the world quickly. But as convenient as it is, it can also be incredibly tedious.
Finding things to do on a plane is never a problem when you fly with a group of friends. Time flies when you have someone to talk to, so the journey will pass quickly. But if you are traveling on your own, you need to find ways to entertain yourself.
In this article, we will give you ideas for things to do on a plane to pass time when the plane has no wifi. After all, you rarely get the chance to sit down for such a long time, more or less distraction-free, so why not make the most of it?
Prepare for your plane trip ahead of time
Traveling on a plane is exciting. You have that feeling of expectancy, the anticipation of being in another place, something you haven't seen before. While all this excitement might be great when you're waiting for your plane to take off, it can quickly diminish once you're on the plane and find that there's nothing to do.
Not to be Debbie Downer, but "I'll just watch whatever's available" doesn't always work out so well. For one thing, not all airlines offer seatback entertainment. For another, there's always a possibility that your screen or controller is broken. It's happened to us more than once.
Once you're in midair, it's too late to look for ways to avoid getting bored on the plane. So plan ahead.
Captain Obvious
While we're talking about preparing ahead of time, that includes packing. Don't forget to put all the items you'll need during your flight in your under-seat carryon. Having to grab something from the overhead bin is super inconvenient!
ⓘ TIP: Keeping your things in different zippered pouches is the easiest way to keep things organized and avoid dropping something under your seat. We have a pouch for cables and chargers, a smaller one for comfort items like eye drops and lip balm, and another one with snacks and such. We use clear ones like these.
Things to do on a plane
So let's talk about some of the best ways to pass the time on a long flight.
1. Stare out the window
If you're lucky enough to book a window seat, you'll have built-in entertainment. When skies are clear, the window offers a bird's eye view of the planet. It's fun to watch the world pass by from the air.
You'll definitely have to be creative if you're flying over the ocean or a blanket of clouds though, because watching the passing landscapes will no longer work.
So on to other options.
2. Learn a new language or improve one you already know
Any trip becomes more interesting when you're able to talk to the locals. If you don't speak the local language, this is the perfect time to learn a few basic phrases before you land.
There are some good free language apps out there (we like Duolingo), as well as tons of video tutorials that you can download and watch offline. Or you can buy a phrasebook or traditional workbook in the airport gift shop.
You can learn to say a lot in a short amount of time, because you won't have any distractions. By the time you land, you'll be ready to set out and explore!
3. Read a new book
Life is full of busy-ness, and an airplane ride is the perfect escape from that. Exciting stories can take you away from the routine and immerse you in a new fascinating world. You won't even notice how quickly time flies by.
That's a big reason why we never take off for a trip without bringing something to read. Reading material is imperative, as there are often long stretches of time during the course of your trip when you can't use electronics or watch movies.
Take the time to relax in your seat with a new book or finish one that you started a long time ago. If you don't know what to read, this amazing book is one of the best books to read on a plane to make your flight go faster.
Ebooks are a great alternative to the bulk and weight of physical books. Ebook readers hold a library's worth of books and weigh almost nothing. Amazon also offers a free Kindle app, so it's easy to download books to read on your phone or tablet.
4. Listen to audiobooks
If you can't read a book or want to rest your eyes during the flight, you can get the same great content with audiobooks. Audiobooks use up less battery life than movies do, and they are more distracting than music.
There are lots of places where you can download audiobooks for free. Or you can subscribe to Audible and download anything from books to magazines, newspapers, and blogs. You'll just need to download them to your Kindle, tablet or phone before takeoff.
If you have a set of noise cancelling earphones or earbuds, you can get through an entire flight on audiobooks alone. Dollars to doughnuts, you'll be so immersed in the stories that the time will pass before you know it!
5. Listen to a podcast
Another way to avoid getting bored on a plane is to listen to podcasts. They generally require a little more attention that audiobooks might, but they're still a lot of fun.
If you want to listen to a podcast, here are some of the possibilities:
- Catch up on career developments
- Learn more about a hobby or interest
- Listen to a fresh interview with your favorite celebrity or blogger
- Take lessons in foreign languages;
- Listen to lectures
- Learn about your destination on a travel podcast
- and much more.
As with audiobooks, the great advantage of podcasts is that your hands will be free even while your brain is engaged. That will make it possible to stretch or do self-massage to relieve your muscles from sitting for a long time, if you want.
6. Binge watch your favorite TV show or watch a new movie
If you're on a long-haul flight, you can binge watch a series of Marvel movies in order, enjoy a new Netflix series, or rewatch your favorite movie that you haven't watched for a long time. It's easy to download movies to watch later.
Of course, it goes without saying that you can also watch the in-flight shows. Many airlines list the films and TV shows that are on offer on their websites. This makes it easy to plan what you're going to watch even before you board the aircraft.
7. Master your photo gallery
Odds are, you've got bunches of photos and video clips on your phone and computer. And if you're like most people, you've been meaning to get them organized but haven't had the time.
Well, now you do!
As you go through them, you'll no doubt find ones you want to share with your friends on Instagram and show your loved ones. This would be a good time to learn how to use photo editors like Photoshop or Lightroom.
Or you can download a video editor from Movavi and dive into a video montage. Who knows, maybe you will find it so much fun that you will start your own travel vlog!
8. Start a conversation
One of the hidden joys of flying is the fun of meeting new people. Rarely are you surrounded by as many people from different walks of life as you are on a flight. This can be a great time to meet some fascinating individuals.
While you wouldn't want to annoy someone who'd prefer to be left alone, don't be afraid to talk to your neighbor, either. He or she might be as bored as you are.
You never know who you might meet and what you might learn. Or what wisdom you might be able to share with someone else.
Sometimes, the most chance encounters can end up being the most memorable. So turn to your seatmate and introduce yourself!
9. Play games
If you're lucky enough to be on an aircraft with a seatback screen, you can play the featured games. Alternatively, you can play games on your phone or bring a handheld console. There are handheld versions of thousands of games, like Chess and Yahtzee.
Here are some other game ideas:
- If you are traveling with a friend, pull out a piece of paper and play Hangman or Tic Tac Toe.
- Puzzle books like crosswords and logic problems are good mental exercise.
- Card games are fun, such as Uno and Solitaire.
- There are also magnetic board games, like Backgammon and Go
Just don't get too excited and start screaming. You don't want to startle the other passengers!
10. Get some exercise
It's especially important to keep your body active during a long flight so you don't feel stiff and sore when you arrive. Stretching and exercising will help break down knots in your muscles and increase circulation, which will make you feel more energized. It will also help you avoid the risk of developing blood clots, which can be life threatening.
Change your position any way you can. Here are some ideas for things you can do while moving about the cabin:
- Get up to use the lavatory as often as possible.
- Walk up and down the aisle.
- Do knee bends
- Perform runners' stretches
- Do trunk twists
- Try to touch the ceiling
- Bend down and touch your toes.
Alternatively, you can try "seat-dancing." Stretch your arm and leg muscles by reaching for any overhead bin or footrest that might be within reach. tap your toes against the floor, lift up your legs, or move around in your seat. You can also do resistance exercises, like pressing down hard on the arms of your seat.
11. Take a nap
Tops on our list of things to do on a plane is to try to get some sleep. There are so many benefits, not the least of which is that it's a good way to catch up on your sleep.
Other benefits of sleeping on a plane:
- It helps you avoid jet lag.
- It reduces stress levels, which increase in those who have been traveling for long periods of time.
- It helps you produce melatonin and maintain the circadian rhythm, which is essential if you want to arrive feeling refreshed.
Many people have trouble getting through their first day at a new destination without having had some sleep beforehand. Don't let this be you.
ⓘ TIP: Melatonin is a hormone that your body naturally produces around bedtime. It's a more natural alternative to a prescription sleep aid, and it's available over the counter at drug stores. It's also available online.
Final thoughts
We hope this list will help you the next time you're on a flight. But we've only scratched the surface.
What are your favorite things to do on a plane to avoid boredom? How do you keep the kidlets entertained? Leave a comment below for your fellow travelers!