There are many reasons that people choose to travel by plane, whether for leisure or work. Flights can be as short as under an hour, or as long as over fifteen hours. Being on a longer flight without things to keep you occupied can make the flight seem even longer than it actually is. Afterall, sleep and eating can only take up so much time. So what else can you do to pass the time?
Flights can last several hours and no one wants to sit and do nothing for hours on end. When flying there are several things that you can do to pass the time including but not limited to:
- Read
- Listen to a podcast
- Watch a movie or television show
- Play a game
- Use a puzzle book
Read on to find fun things to do to pass time on a flight. Whether it’s an hour long or across the country, you need to keep yourself busy.
Table of Contents
How do You Pass Time on a Plane?
Flights can vary in length, anywhere from under an hour to over fifteen hours and longer! When you are on a longer flight, you may want something to do to occupy yourself and make time go by faster rather than just sitting there .On longer flights, sleep and eating are sure ways to pass the time, especially on those flights when meals are offered.
Aside from those, one can work, read, watch a movie, color, or more. It all boils down to what you enjoy to do, or maybe do not have time for on a regular basis but can afford the time on a flight. For those that travel by plane often, it is the perfect time to learn a language or do something that takes dedicated time similar to that.
What is the Average Time of a Flight?
With all this talk of what to do on flights, how long are flights really?
The longest commercial flight that is scheduled has a duration of seventeen hours and fifty minutes. The shortest commercial flights come in at under an hour! That makes an average flight time of around eight to nine hours.
The time you can expect to be on a plane really depends on where you are going. Make sure to look at not only the time you will be on a plane, but also how long you will be at the airport when having to catch a connecting flight.
What Can I Take on a Plane to Stay Entertained?
Most electronics can follow you onto a plane including a laptop, tablet, and cellphone. Keep in mind that there are regulations against using larger electronics until the plane reaches a certain altitude. Your electronics also need to be on airplane mode and using the WiFi if offered by the plane.
Some other things you can take to stay entertained include:
- Coloring books
- Journals
- Small puzzles
- Puzzle books
Any item you take needs to fit in your carry on and adhere to plane and government safety guidelines. Basically, as long as it is not a weapon, large liquid container, and does not contain batteries then it can be brought on the plane with you.
10 Super Fun Things to do on Flights
There are tons of fun things you can do on a plane that are quiet, calming, and won’t disturb other passengers. Being courteous to those around you is every bit as important as being entertained.
1. Read
Not everyone enjoys reading, but if you do, then a flight is the perfect time to catch up on your favorite series or to read a book that you have had your eye on but have not had time to start.
If reading is not something you enjoy, but you are travelling to an unfamiliar place, then reading about your destination is a great idea. Learning more about your destination can mean a smoother trip when you arrive and help pass the time on your flight.
There are a few different options for reading while flying. You can bring the physical book with you, or to save space in your carry on you can read on your phone or an e-read device. Listening to an audiobook is also a great option for those wanting to read without physically reading the book themselves. Listening to an audiobook also allows you to tune out the flight sounds.
2. Listen to a Podcast
Podcasts are perfect for flights because listening to them requires headphones. So not only are you passing the time on your flight, but you are also able to tune out the sounds of the flight including the other passengers and plane.
You can find a podcast that covers almost any subject these days, from educational to entertainment, or a mixture of both. Podcasts also vary in length; they can be mere minutes or over an hour.
Podcasts can be found on the Apple Podcast app, Spotify, and more. Looking to learn something new or hone a skill? Podcasts can be an excellent place to start. You can also find comedy, true crime, and other entertainment themed podcasts.
Looking to elevate your podcast experience? Check out our in-depth Bose Headphones & Earbuds Review for insights on the best audio gear to enhance your listening pleasure while immersing yourself in captivating podcasts.
3. Watch a Movie or Television Show
Since a flight is nothing but down time, it provides an excellent opportunity to catch up on your favorite television series or watch the new movie that you have been dying to see. Some flights provide movies, but for those that do not, a passenger can use a streaming service.
Movie and television streaming has become super popular in recent years. There are endless amounts of streaming services that allow you to watch your favorite show or movie. You can stream from your phone, tablet, or laptop. If the plane has WiFi you can stream whatever you want, but even if it doesn’t, certain streaming services now allow you to download your favorite show or movie.
Television shows and movies can pass up to hours at a time, they take your focus away from your surroundings, and they allow you to listen to them instead of the environment around you which is perfect for being on an airplane.
4. Play a Game
Playing games is another fun way to pass time both on and off flights. There are games that you can play with or without electronics which is perfect for some in-flight entertainment.
When it comes to electronic games, there is something for every person. You can find games in the app store that are strategic or educational, story-telling, and more. You can also download games onto a laptop, but with the restrictions against larger electronics at lower altitudes, playing with a handheld may be preferrable.
There is also the option of bringing a deck of cards to play solitaire or a puzzle book to keep you occupied on the flight.
5. Use a Puzzle Book
These puzzle books range in level of difficulty and are known for being used to pass the time which in turn makes them perfect for keeping you busy in flight. Types of puzzles that are good for planes include:
- Sudoku
- Word searches
- Cross words
Keep in mind that puzzle books and the writing utensils used to write in them will take up space in your carry on that you may not want to spare. To avoid this, there are apps you can download on your phone or tablet and software that you can download to your laptop that allow you to do the same puzzles digitally.
6. Color
Another fun and stress-free activity is to color. Coloring allows you to focus on a stress reducing task and do something artistic. It can be perfect for long flights because coloring requires a large amount of focus and coloring small areas can be quite tedious.
Adult coloring books are becoming increasingly popular as a way for adults to decompress. There are now even coloring apps that you can download on your phone or tablet to color anywhere when you cannot break out the actual book or to save space.
7. Get Crafty
If you enjoy knitting, crocheting, or another similar craft, then being on a long flight is perfect for you to get crafty.
With both knitting and crocheting, not only can you do your crafting while flying, but you can pair it with watching television and do two things you want to at once, all while passing the time on your flight!
8. Be Productive
While not everyone will share the same mentality, there are some that think that getting work done and being productive are fun and what better time to be productive than when you are stuck in an airplane?
With less distractions, being on a flight allows for more time to focus on a project, work, or school. With flights offering WiFi, you will even have a way to stay connected to those you are working with as well!
9. Learn A Language
When travelling to another country, there is something else that you can anticipate other than just a long flight and that is that other people in your destination country may speak a different language than you. Why not learn some key phrases to converse with them? You can do some learning on apps like:
- Duolingo
- Rosetta Stone
- YouTube
A long flight to said country is the perfect time to learn some key phrases of the dominant language in that area. By practicing on the flight, you are ensuring the words and phrases will be fresh in your mind for when you land!
If you travel several times a year by plane, then if can also be an ideal time to learn a language you are interested in but do not have time to touch when not on a plane. There are several free apps or books and downloadable material that you can find to learn whatever language you want.
10. Journal
Journaling can be both creative and productive which makes it ideal for those looking for a mixture of the two. The perfect idea often comes when we least expect it or when we are contemplating life and when else to do that besides on a long flight?
Journaling on a long flight allows you to brainstorm in a creative way and pass the flight at the same time. If you want to save space in your carry on, then you can opt for a tablet version of journals to save space and keep everything in one place!
Outro
Long airplane rides no longer have to be dreaded with so many options to keep you occupied no matter the distance of the flight. From coloring to reading or playing games, there is something to do for everyone. All of the listed above activities require little to no space in your carry on and allow you to stay in your seat for the flight. For longer flights, getting up and stretching is also an option.