Embarking on lengthy flights, spanning 10 hours or more, can often prove to be an endurance test, especially when confined to a limited space with minimal opportunities for movement. The potential monotony of such journeys, however, can be effectively alleviated through a myriad of engaging activities to keep both mind and body occupied. However, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained and make the time pass quickly. Here are some suggestions for things to do on a long flight.

To thwart the encroaching boredom, consider immersing yourself in a captivating novel or binge-worthy TV series, transporting your imagination beyond the confines of the cabin. Alternatively, delve into a stimulating podcast or audiobook, offering a diverse range of topics to captivate your auditory senses. For those inclined towards visual stimulation, movies and documentaries provided by the in-flight entertainment system can provide a cinematic escape.

Pack Entertainment Essentials

Before your flight, be sure to pack a few entertainment essentials in your carry-on bag to keep you occupied inflight.

Portable Electronics

Load up your smartphone, tablet, e-reader, or laptop with movies, TV shows, games, music, audiobooks, podcasts, and more. Download selections beforehand so you have plenty of options offline once in the air. Bring your headphones and chargers too. If your devices have little storage, consider getting a portable hard drive or flash drive loaded up as well.

Reading Material

Bring books, magazines, graphic novels – whatever reading you enjoy. This can be on paper or loaded on an e-reader. Having a variety gives you options depending on your mood.

Other Ideas

Pack some fun analog options too like a journal and nice pen, adult coloring books and markers, crossword/sudoku/word search puzzles, playing cards, small travel games, and anything else small you find entertaining.

Use Inflight Entertainment

Most long flights these days come with seatback inflight entertainment systems or tablets loaded with movies, TV shows, games, music, audiobooks, and more. Peruse all the options and create a watch list queue for yourself. Bring your own headphones if you want something more comfortable than the airline pair.

Sleep

One of the best ways to make the time pass is to simply sleep through it! Come prepared to sleep on the plane:

• Comfortable clothes – Wear loose, soft clothes that are easy to sleep in like a sweatshirt and joggers. Bring socks, eye mask, and neck pillow too.
• Earplugs/noise cancelling headphones – Use these to dull the loud plane noises. Some airlines provide earplugs.
• Blanket/small pillow – Bring your own cozy blanket and inflatable pillow for extra comfort. Some airlines provide pillows and blankets.
• Neck pillow – This supports your neck in an upright sleeping position.
• Eye mask – Blocks out the bright lights to help you sleep.
• Melatonin – Take this natural sleep aid to make falling asleep easier. Check dosage with your doctor first.
• Avoid caffeine – Don’t drink coffee or soda before the flight, so it’s easier to fall asleep.
• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration that can disrupt sleep.

Utilize the inflight sleep amenities like reclining seats, leg rests, and head cushions. Try to sleep at night according to the destination time zone to avoid jet lag.

Stay Hydrated

The air on planes is very dry, so it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the flight. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and generally make you feel unwell. Drink water before and frequently during the flight. You can request water refills from the flight attendants anytime. If you want flavor, bring flavor packets, electrolyte tablets, or a refillable water bottle you can fill up once past security. Staying hydrated will make you feel better on the long flight.

Walk Around

It’s important to get up, stretch your legs, and walk around occasionally on long flights to avoid deep vein thrombosis. Do calf raises, ankle rolls, and other simple seated stretches in your chair regularly throughout the flight. Take advantage of opportunities to walk around:

• After meals – Take a quick walk after they clear meal trays to get your blood flowing.
• Bathroom – Even if you don’t really have to go, take a short stroll to the bathroom and back every couple of hours.
• Empty aisles – If no carts/meal service is blocking the aisle, take a quick lap up and down the length of the plane. Ask the flight attendant if it’s okay first.

Just avoid congregating right near the bathrooms or galley area. A little movement goes a long way toward making long periods of sitting more comfortable.

Stay Organized

Use organizers, compression cubes, pouches, and bags to keep all your inflight items neatly together and quickly accessible. Have an organized system for:

• Electronics – Use a cord organizer to prevent tangled wires. Keep chargers, batteries, headphones together in a tech pouch.
• Toiletries – Use clear plastic bags or pouches to hold travel size toiletries and medications.
• Food – Pack snacks in reusable containers, bags, or pouches by type – savory snacks in one, sweet in another, produce in one.

Staying organized prevents you from getting flustered rummaging around for what you need. Keep your most used flight items either in the seatback pocket or bag under the seat in front of you for easy access. Keep items not needed inflight stowed in the overhead bin.

Dine on the Plane

Enjoy the inflight dining service – it makes time pass quickly! Read through the inflight menu before departure and plan what you want to order. Here are tips for enjoying meals and snacks:

• Drink plenty of water – Stay hydrated with water throughout the flight. Avoid alcohol and juice that dehydrate.
• Eat slowly – Chew thoroughly and pace yourself to avoid indigestion and heartburn.
• Walk afterward – Take a quick stroll after meals to aid digestion.
• Healthy snacks – Choose fresh, lighter options like salads, fruit, nuts, yogurt.
• Comfort foods – It can be fun to indulge in desserts and carbs too!
• Bring your own – Supplement with your favorite snacks, foods if needed.
• Limit caffeine – Caffeine can disrupt sleep; avoid late in flight.

Dining while flying makes the time go by quickly!

Inflight Exercises

Simple exercises can be done in the seat to stimulate circulation on long flights:

• Neck rolls – Slowly roll head side to side and forward/backward.
• Shoulder shrugs – Lift shoulders up and down.
• Arm/wrist circles – Rotate arms in big circles. Rotate wrists.
• Torso twists – Twist torso side to side.
• Leg lifts – Lift legs straight out and hold.
• Ankle circles – Rotate ankles in circles.
• Foot pumps – Pump feet up and down.
• Seated marching – Lift knees up and down.

Do these gently and often throughout the flight to avoid stiff joints and muscles. Just be courteous of your seatmates’ space when moving around. Simple inflight exercises go a long way toward making long periods of sitting more comfortable.

Socialize and Meet New People

Chat with your seatmates, flight attendants, and airline staff. Be friendly and strike up interesting conversations. You’ll meet new people and learn new things, making travel more meaningful. Here are tips for enjoyable inflight socializing:

• Introduce yourself – Break the ice and introduce yourself to seatmates.
• Chat briefly – Keep initial chats short in case they prefer quiet time.
• Find common interests – If they seem interested, discuss travels, reason for flying, home, interests.
• Share a little – Open up a bit about your life if they do the same.
• Don’t pry – Avoid very personal questions unless they open up first.
• Include others – If they decline conversing, respect that and don’t take it personally.
• Stay positive – Keep conversation lighthearted and positive.
• Pass time together – Play a game, watch a movie together if interested.
• Say goodbye – Thank them for chatting and wish them well upon landing!

Making new connections makes long flights go by quickly and builds your communication skills.

Pass Time With Games and Activities

Bring fun games and activities onboard to do alone or with others:

• Portable video game console – Play single or multiplayer games.
• Card games – Play solitaire, poker, rummy, crazy eights.
• Board/travel games – Try mini chess, checkers, Scrabble, bananagrams.
• Trivia – Use trivia cards or apps to test your knowledge.
• Mad Libs – Fill in the blanks for silly stories.
• Crosswords, word finds – Work through word puzzles.
• Drawing games – Play Pictionary or sketch concepts.
• Memory games – Do “I’m going on a trip” recalling objects.
• I Spy – Take turns choosing visible objects for others to guess.

Playing interactive games makes time fly by!

Use Inflight WiFi

Many airlines now offer onboard WiFi connectivity, allowing you to access the internet and stay connected inflight. If WiFi is available, consider purchasing a plan to:

• Text family/friends – Let loved ones know you arrived safely.
• Email/work – Get a head start on work emails.
• Social media – Share your travels on social sites.
• Stream entertainment – Watch shows, listen to music.
• News/weather – Stay updated on world events.
• Make plans – Research your destination, book tours, etc.
• Call/video chat – Use WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype to stay in touch.

Having internet access allows you to stay productive and connected inflight. Just be aware of any usage costs.

Journal and Reflect

Use long flights as time for journaling, drawing, meditation, and reflection. Some ideas:

• Write in journal – Jot thoughts in a notebook.
• List goals/plans – Outline goals, trip plans, to-do’s, etc.
• Sketch – Draw views out the window, portrait sketches of travelers.
• Read self-help – Read an inspiring personal growth book.
• Listen to podcast – Find one on meditation, motivation, travel.
• Meditate – Close your eyes and focus on breathing.
• Reflect inward – Think about your life, growth, future.
• Be gratitude – Consider all the blessings you have.
• Pray – Use the quiet time for spiritual reflection.

Long flights with few distractions are perfect for self-reflection!

Avoid Dehydration and Jetlag

Here are some tips to avoid dehydration and jetlag on long flights:

• Drink plenty of water before and during the flight to stay hydrated in the dry cabin air.
• Apply moisturizer to your skin and use lip balm to avoid dryness.
• Use a saline nasal spray to moisturize nasal passages.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages that dehydrate you.
• Walk and stretch often to promote circulation.
• Compress socks promote blood flow in the lower legs.
• To minimize jetlag, try to sync your inflight sleep schedule to the destination time zone.
• Exposure to natural light helps reset your circadian rhythms when you arrive.
• Avoid heavy meals and eat light, easily digestible foods.
• Stay well hydrated at your destination to recover from the dehydrating flight.
• Rest when tired. Take it easy the first few days after arrival.
• Melatonin supplements can help you adjust to a new sleep cycle.

Staying comfortable on the long flight goes a long way toward avoiding jetlag!

Be Kind to Fellow Passengers and Crew

Long flights are tougher when people around you are inconsiderate. Some tips for being a courteous seatmate:

• Keep personal space tidy to avoid spilling into others’ area.
• Be mindful of the seat in front of you – avoid forceful kicks.
• Follow crew instructions promptly and be polite in your interactions.
• Wait your turn patiently in lines for restrooms, aisles, etc.
• Avoid blasting sound loudly without headphones.
• Walk softly, do not tromp heavily up the aisles.
• Allow aisle access for others when they need to pass by.
• Avoid strong fragrances that can bother others.
• Respect when seatmates are resting.
• Avoid invasive peering over others’ shoulders.
• Deplane row-by-row to minimize aisle logjams.
• Say thank you and smile at crew and gate agents when exiting.

Being considerate of those around you makes the whole flight more pleasant for everyone!

Conclusion

While long flights can be tedious, there are many things to do on a long flight. Stay comfortable, hydrated, entertained, and healthy throughout the journey. Come mentally and physically prepared with items to make the time pass quickly. Keep yourself nourished with food and water. Move around periodically. Rest when needed. Use the alone time to enjoy movies, books, games, and personal reflection. Interact with flight crew and neighbors to make new connections. Traveling can open your heart and mind when you take full advantage of the experience. Before you know it, you’ll be landing at your destination refreshed, inspired, and ready for new adventures!

FAQs

How can I be comfortable in my economy seat for a long flight?

Some tips for getting comfy: Stretch your legs often and take short walks. Loosen tight clothing and wear layers. Use a small inflatable pillow or neck rest. Bring a cozy blanket onboard. Listen to relaxing music or white noise. Adjust air vent to stay cool. Avoid caffeine. Stay hydrated. Use earplugs and eye mask to sleep.

What food should I eat on a long flight?

Choose easily digestible foods like fruit, nuts, whole grain crackers, sandwiches, yogurt. Avoid heavy greasy foods that could cause indigestion. Drink plenty of water and limit alcohol, juice, and caffeine. Eat small portions slowly throughout the flight rather than large meals.

How can I overcome jetlag after a long flight?

To minimize jetlag, start adjusting to the destination time zone inflight by syncing your meals and sleep schedule. Hydrate well before, during and after the flight. Avoid heavy meals and alcohol. On arrival, expose yourself to natural sunlight and physical activity. Take short naps. Time caffeine intake to give you a boost when needed. Melatonin can help adjust to a new sleep cycle.

What should I do if my legs swell on a long flight?

Try light foot and ankle exercises while seated, like flexing feet up and down, rotating ankles, and wiggling toes. Take occasional short walks in the cabin. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid crossing your legs which inhibits blood flow. Compression socks promote circulation in legs and reduce swelling. Elevating your feet can help. Notify the flight attendant if swelling is severe.

How do I entertain young children on long flights?

Pack engaging activities for kids like coloring books, magnet boards, reading books, small toys that don’t make noise. Load tablets with games, movies, and shows for them. Bring snacks and new foods for interest. Schedule inflight naps. Take walks together in the cabin. Chat about what you see out the window. Play simple games like I Spy. If possible, choose red eye flights when they may sleep more.