Need ideas for things to do on a plane? It can be hard to fill the time on long flights, especially if you’re an active person and aren’t used to sitting still for that long – without wifi! But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered – after taking flights all over the world (even 16.5 hours from the UK to Australia!) I’ve had plenty of practice at finding things to do on long flights! Check out these ideas for things to do on flights that will keep you entertained – or at the very least to help pass the time!
The Best Things To Do on a Plane
I may have lots of experience with long flights, but I’m not a fan of air travel in general. Whether you’re a solo traveller or flying with your friends and family, taking a long flight means you have a lot of time to fill while you’re cooped up in a little space.
In this post I’m sharing my top travel tips and tricks for what to do on a flight, from catching up on some zzs to getting colourful and creative, you’re bound to find some great suggestions for things to do on a plane to pass time among all of these.
Don’t forget, you probably won’t have access to wifi on a flight, and you’ll need to put your phone and other devices into airplane mode before you take off.
The Risks of Raw-Dogging
Raw-dogging is a bizarre new phenomenon taking over social media. It means doing nothing when you take a flight – that is literally nothing: just sitting and staring straight ahead which sounds pretty stupid to me.
While a flight might be a great excuse to have digital detox and to take a break from your phone, be aware that the more extreme forms of raw-dogging that include no sleep, no food, no water and even not getting up to go to the toilet are not a healthy way to spend your time on a flight.
Risks of raw-dogging include dehydration from not eating or drinking, and most seriously an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) – blood clots forming in your legs which could travel to your lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.
Make sure you stay hydrated and move regularly during a long flight to reduce the risk of DVT, and the dry recycled air on a plane can compound dehydration so drink plenty of fluids and go to the toilet when you need to! Flying is stressful enough on your body without putting it through some strange social media trend. Take care of yourself and you will feel better for it!
So, bearing that in mind these are all things to do on a plane that aren’t rawdogging!
In-Flight Entertainment
Long-haul flights offer a variety of in-flight entertainment, from movies and TV shows to games and radio programs. I love checking out the different options – deciding what to watch or listen to is the hardest part!
However, instead of using the poor-quality disposable earphones provided, make sure you bring your own noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. Bose is one of the best known and best quality brands, or if you’re on a budget then I have a pair of Sound Core Noise Cancelling Earbuds which do a great job at a fraction of the price.
The most important thing to remember is to bring an Airfly Bluetooth transmitter to allow you to connect to the sound. Airfly Pro even allows you to link 2 different sets of earphones so you can listen with a friend!
I was devastated when I realised I’d forgotten my Airfly for my long-haul flight to Australia, I bought another one as soon as I could so I’d have it for the flight home. Airfly works with any headphone socket, on planes, trains, buses or wherever you can’t connect to the Bluetooth directly.
It is definitely one of my long-haul flight essentials and is now on my packing list so I never forget it again!!
Bring Your Own Entertainment
If you have them (and are prepared to carry them around on your trip), bringing your own laptop, tablet or Kindle is a great way to control exactly what entertainment you’ll have access to on a flight without wifi. You don’t even need a separate device now you can use your smartphone for everything!
Make sure you download everything to your device so you can access it offline. Apps like Netflix and Disney+ allow you to download movies and TV programmes to your device. (Note: Disney+ lets you download to a cellphone via the app, but you can’t download anything to a laptop).
Here are some ideas for what to check out on the in-flight screens or things to bring on a flight for entertainment:
Watch a Movie
Watching a movie on a plane is a great way to pass the time on a long flight, especially if it is an epic or a series of films you haven’t had a chance to watch before. A long flight of several hours gives you more than enough time to watch a movie or two!
Catch Up on Your Favourite TV Show
Similarly, binge-watching TV shows is one of my favourite things to do on a plane ride. I don’t often watch TV series as I’m travelling most of the time and aren’t sure what’s going to be available where I’m heading so like to take the time on a plane to catch up.
I often binge watch old series I’ve seen before too so I don’t have to pay too much attention to what’s going on, and it won’t matter if I doze off part-way through!
Listen to a Podcast
I love listening to podcasts as I feel like I’m learning something! If you’re on a business trip you could listen to a podcast related to your work (I have a couple of favourite blogging podcasts) or choose any topic you like to help pass the time on a long flight. I usually use Spotify to download my podcasts, or there are various other apps like Apple Podcasts and Audible which have podcasts too.
Listen to an Audiobook
If you prefer Audiobooks, Audible has a great selection to choose from which can be downloaded to your device. If you have an Audible membership there are lots of free books and podcasts to download as well without using any of your credits.
There are lots of travel books to listen to which I like when I am on the road. Pick a title about an adventure or about the destination where you’re going to get you in the mood, or choose an author from there so you can discover a new international writer and get to know something about where you’re travelling to.
I do have a habit of falling asleep listening to Audiobooks though, so I usually have to skip back to find where I dozed off!
Listen to Music
Music is a great way to pass the time on a plane, so plug in your headphones and listen to some tunes! Whether it’s your own playlist or streaming music from the entertainment system, be sure to check out what options are available for onboard music as well as whatever you have on your own device.
Why not look up some artists from your destination so you can get in the mood and listen to some local music? Music is a great way to escape and pretend you’re somewhere else, and it can help cheer you up or relax you if you’re a nervous flyer.
Prepare for a long flight by making some playlists to listen to on your device. I like to organise my music into playlists according to my mood, so I have some happy tunes, some chilled-out ones and some cheesy pop for a pick-me-up!
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Read a Book
There is nothing better than snuggling down with a good book, and it is a fabulous thing to do on a plane to help the time fly by as you get lost in the pages. If you’re heading off on holiday then some trashy chick lit is perfect for a beach vacation, or choose whatever you fancy.
A Kindle is the perfect solution to having to choose between bringing several books – download as many as you like so you have a choice to suit your mood. Kindle Unlimited is a membership offering unlimited reading for a monthly subscription, which is great for big readers.
LEARN MORE ABOUT KINDLE UNLIMITED
Read a Magazine or Newspaper
If you have a favourite magazine, bring it along with you on the plane and enjoy spending some time reading or just flicking through the pictures if you’re tired! If you don’t have anything to read, airlines typically have inflight magazines that are available to read throughout the flight.
Some flights offer magazines and newspapers to pick up as you board so you can read those, or get something at the airport.
Play Games
There are usually some games that are on offer in the in-flight entertainment or download some to your phone to play on the airplane. Some of the games on Netflix don’t require the internet to play (check each one as some do need you to be online), or download other gaming apps to your phone to keep you occupied on a flight. Scroll down for more suggestions for travel games to play on flights when you’re travelling with other people.
Play Cards
A pack of cards is a simple thing to bring on a flight but cards can keep you busy for hours. If you’re travelling with someone, play a game together (you could even ask someone next to you to play!) or set up a game of patience or solitaire to play by yourself. The downside is you only have a small amount of space on the tray table, so whatever you play you’ll need to keep it contained!
Puzzles
Doing puzzles is a great way to pass the time while flying. Bring your own puzzle book and pens to get your mind working on a plane. Crosswords, word searches and sudoku are my favourites, but visual puzzles like Spot the Difference can work better if you’re feeling tired and can’t focus on anything too taxing! You can usually pick up a book of puzzles in the airport shops if you don’t have one already.
Drawing or Colouring Books
If you’re not a fan of puzzles or just want something creative to do, bring along a sketch pad or a colouring book and a set of pencils. Draw something yourself or use pre-done patterns to focus on the colouring. Don’t worry, you don’t need to make a work of art here! Even doodles, different shapes or patterns are enough to keep you busy on a long flight.
Plan Your Trip
If you’ve got a guidebook for your destination but haven’t had time to read it, now is the time to decide what you’re going to do once you arrive! If you have a paper guidebook, scribble notes and circle things you’d like to do so you can refer back to them later.
If you’ve got an eBook or Kindle version, write down some notes on paper or on your phone so you have easy access to them. Check out key attractions, restaurant and bar recommendations and get even more excited about your vacation!
Track Your Progress
I also love checking out the flight locator to show where the flight currently is, although on a very long flight, it doesn’t seem to move as quickly as I’d like! I also have a window seat so I can look out for landmarks but even if I can’t see out of the window I like to know where I am and imagine what is going on in the towns and cities below.
Write Something
I always have my laptop with me on flights so I can crack on with writing a new blog post, but you don’t have to write anything to do with work. Write postcards home or catch up with your journal. If you’re on your way home and want to share photos on social media, get a head start on writing those Instagram captions.
Feeling creative? Write a letter to someone special or write a song or a poem about your travels – you could even start writing a book! Use whatever format you like – sometimes a good old-fashioned paper and pen will get your creative juices flowing more readily than a laptop keyboard.
Get Some Work Done
If you’re heading off on vacation then the last thing you want to think about is work, but if you are travelling for business or want to get a head start before you go back to work then catching up on a few tasks could be useful. Of course, it depends on what job you have, but if you use a computer for work then there is usually something you can do.
If you can log on to WiFi on the flight then you could do whatever you like – maybe get cracking on those emails sitting in your inbox! If you won’t have wifi then check your emails at the airport if you get a chance then you could start drafting responses while you’re in the air, work on a presentation or a spreadsheet of figures. I often draft blog posts when I’m on a flight and don’t have the distraction of Wi-Fi to take my mind off it!
Delete and/or Edit Photos
Not having access to the internet means you have some time to spend clearing some space on your phone – perfect if you are flying somewhere on holiday where you’ll be taking lots of pics! Take a look at old photos to see what can be deleted, or if you’re on the way home choose your favourite travel photos to share on social media or create a photo book filled with memories.
Make New Friends
This depends on who you are sitting with, but you could strike up a conversation with the person next to you and chat about the weather or something infinitely more interesting! If it is a very quiet flight then have a chat with cabin crew if they have time between service offerings.
Sleep
I love sleeping on flights as it definitely helps the time go more quickly! However, bear in mind the time difference of your new destination, and try to sleep according to your new time zone to help reduce jet lag. That is easier said than done of course, but using an app like Timeshifter can show you when to plan your sleep times.
To help you get some shut-eye when you need to, bring an eye mask and ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones so you can drown out the background noise and get some peace and quiet.
Meditate
If you’re a fan of mindfulness, now is the time to practice! When there are no distractions (so avoid mealtimes), it’s the perfect opportunity to focus on your breathing and find some inner peace during the flight. Don’t forget some earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones to help you focus.
Eat & Drink
I wouldn’t usually recommend eating and drinking just to pass the time, but when you’re doing it on a plane it certainly helps the time to pass more quickly! I bring my own snacks to eat in-between meal times (or if the food sucks) and always have my water bottle with me.
Did you know that you can bring an empty water bottle with you through security and fill it up before you board? Don’t buy a single-use water bottle at the airport, bring your own to save money and plastic use!! I love my Water-to-Go bottle which has a built in filter so I can make any fresh water safe to drink. Save 15% on your purchase with the code BYORB.
Do resist the temptation to get drunk on the flight though – the dry aeroplane air will dehydrate you faster and it can make your jetlag worse too when you wake up with a hangover!
Travel Safely
- Leave valuables at home and don't keep all your money and credit cards in one place. I love hidden pocket clothing like this travel scarf for stashing my cash and passport or a belt with a hidden pocket. Read more about how to hide money while travelling.
- Bring a water bottle with a built-in filter so you can safely drink water from any fresh water source while saving money and reducing plastic use. I take my Water-to-Go bottle with me everywhere!
- Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. I always buy travel insurance and was very glad I had insurance when I had my laptop and passport stolen in Ecuador! Consider getting insurance for your trip to cover things like trip cancellation, emergency medical, lost luggage and stolen items, as well as adventure sports and activities and more.
- I chose World Nomads Travel Insurance for my recent backpacking trip to Australia and New Zealand. They offer travel insurance for independent travellers and intrepid families and you can get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road
As an affiliate, I receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. I do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
Fun Things to Do on a Long Flight with Friends
Movie Night
If you’re looking for something to do that will keep everyone entertained for hours, why not have a movie night? Plan to watch the same movie and settle down with some snacks. Even if you’re sitting apart from each other you can catch up afterwards to discuss the best parts!
Play a Travel Game
If you’re flying with family or friends, why not play some travel games to help pass the time? Classic games such as I Spy, Hangman or Noughts and Crosses are simple to play and work well for a while, but for long flights, it might be worth investing in a travel-sized board game to keep you occupied for longer! Check out these fun travel games to play on a flight:
Play Trivia
A quiz or trivia questions make for a fun travel game. You can use travel-based apps like Trivial Pursuit that have built-in questions about different countries and cultures. You could even create your own game based on the places you’re travelling to, with one person testing the other’s knowledge about the trip and what you’ll see there.
Make it even more interesting with prizes of sweets, snacks or drinks for the winner. But remember not to make too much noise, other people might be sleeping so you’ll need to keep your quiz time as quiet as possible!
Sensible Things to Do on a Plane
It’s not all fun and games when you’re taking a flight – here are some productive things to keep you busy on a plane that are useful too!
Exercise
Sitting in the same seat for hours on end can take its toll on your body. There is an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) on long flights so get up regularly to move around and stretch your legs. Movement helps to keep your blood flowing and stops you from getting stiff.
Some long-haul flights also have recommendations for exercises you can do in your seat, with tips for bending and stretching your legs without having to get up. Check the in-flight entertainment screens to see what is available on your airline. At the very least, try making circles with your feet, and move them up and down. Shoulder rolls and arm stretches will help too.
Read the Emergency Procedures
Make sure you read the emergency procedures in case you need them at some point during your flight. While it’s not pleasant to think about the worst-case scenario it’s always better to be prepared. Pay attention to the in-flight safety presentation and read the safety card carefully so you are ready for anything.
Now you can sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge you’ll know what to do in case of an emergency – and it will definitely help pass some time on the flight.
Fill in Your Arrival Card
Depending on your destination you may need to complete an arrival card in order to pass through customs when you land. Your flight attendants will hand out any forms you might need, so make sure you bring a pen with you to fill it in.
As well as a pen, have key information handy like your passport details, the flight number and the address where you are staying, as well as your contact details and an emergency contact.
Things for Kids to Do on a Plane
This is not my area of expertise as I usually travel alone, but if you need help entertaining kids on planes then make sure you do more research and prepare as much as you can! There are lots of activities for toddlers on airplanes that might work for young children, from colouring in to watching TV shows and playing sensory games.
Toys should be small, noise-free and clean so there’s no potential mess to cause chaos! Check out Amazon for some ideas for play packs and travel toys:
So, there we are! I hope these ideas for things to do on a long flight will keep you entertained for hours and help the time pass by in a flash. Do you have any more suggestions for what to do on a plane that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!
