25+ Things to Do on Long Flights That Actually Work

Let’s be honest! long flights can feel like purgatory. I’ve spent more hours than I care to count staring at seatback screens, wondering why time moves so slowly at 35,000 feet. But here’s what I’ve learned after dozens of transpacific marathons and red-eye adventures: preparation makes all the difference.

Recent airline surveys suggest that passengers who plan ahead report significantly better experiences, though I suspect the real magic happens when you stop fighting the experience and start embracing it. Whether you’re facing your first 12-hour haul to Asia or you’re a seasoned road warrior, this guide might just change how you think about long flights.

What you’ll find here:

• 25+ activities that actually work (tested on real flights, not just theoretically)
• Honest takes on what’s worth your time and what isn’t
• Gear recommendations from someone who’s made every mistake so you don’t have to
• Real talk about managing different flight lengths

Long Flight Survival Kit: The Essentials

After years of trial and error (and a few miserable flights), here’s what I always pack:

Tech That Won’t Let You Down:

• Portable charger with serious capacity—20,000mAh minimum. Trust me on this one. My Anker PowerCore has saved countless flights.
• Noise-canceling headphones. Yes, they’re expensive ($150-350 for decent Sony WH-1000XM5s or Bose QuietComfort), but airplane engines are loud and crying babies are unpredictable.
• Tablet loaded with content. Phones work, but your eyes will thank you for something bigger.
• Multiple charging cables. One will inevitably break or disappear.

Comfort Items That Matter:

• A neck pillow that doesn’t look ridiculous but actually works. The Trtl pillow looks weird but supports your neck properly—around $30.
• Eye mask and earplugs. Even with noise-canceling headphones, these are backup insurance.
• Compression socks. Your legs will feel the difference on anything over 8 hours.
• Something soft—a pashmina, light blanket, or oversized scarf that doubles as a pillow.

The Entertainment Arsenal:

• Downloaded movies and shows (more on this below)
• Physical books. Batteries die, screens glare, but books just work.
• A good pen and notebook for those random thoughts that hit at 2 AM over the Pacific.

Pre-Flight Preparation: Setting Yourself Up for Success

The difference between a decent flight and a miserable one often comes down to what you do before boarding. Sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people wing it.

Two Days Before: Start downloading content. Seriously. Hotel WiFi is usually terrible, and airport WiFi might be overloaded. Netflix lets you download for 48 hours, but some shows disappear faster than others.

Day Of: Double-check your downloads still work. This seems paranoid until you’re over the Atlantic and your carefully planned movie marathon turns into a blank screen. Test everything in airplane mode before you leave home.

Pack your carry-on strategically. Comfort items and entertainment should be easily accessible you don’t want to be that person digging through overhead bins while everyone’s trying to sleep.

Entertainment Options for Long Flights

Streaming: What Actually Works

Netflix remains the gold standard for downloads, though their 48-hour window can be annoying. The selection varies by country too, download before you travel internationally.

Amazon Prime Video gives you 30 days for most content, which is more forgiving. Their selection might be smaller, but you’re less likely to lose access mid-flight.

Disney+ works well if you’re into their content universe. Marvel movies eat up 2-3 hours easily, and honestly, rewatching Thor: Ragnarok at 35,000 feet hits differently.

HBO Max has quality content, though their download catalog can be limited. Worth checking what’s available before relying on it entirely.

Gaming: Beyond Candy Crush

The Nintendo Switch appears to be designed for flights. Battery lasts 3-6 hours depending on the game, and there’s something satisfying about building your Animal Crossing island somewhere over Greenland.

Mobile gaming has come a long way. Monument Valley ($3.99) is perfect for flights—beautiful, engaging, but not overstimulating when you’re tired. Civilization VI ($19.99) can consume entire flights if strategy games are your thing, though the learning curve might be steep for beginners.

Chess.com works offline and against AI. There’s something meditative about chess at altitude, though this might just be altitude-induced philosophy.

Audio: Your Best Friend on Long Flights

Podcasts might be the perfect flight entertainment. They don’t require visual attention when you want to close your eyes, and good ones make hours disappear.

True crime podcasts like Serial or My Favorite Murder can be addictive—maybe too addictive if you’re trying to sleep later. Comedy podcasts work well, though humor is subjective and airplane acoustics can kill timing.

Educational content feels productive without being work. Radiolab episodes are usually 60 minutes of fascinating science stories. The Tim Ferriss Show interviews can run 2-3 hours with successful people sharing actual insights.

Reading: Old School But Effective

E-readers solve the “too many books” problem. A Kindle Paperwhite ($139) holds thousands of books and lasts weeks on one charge. The screen works in bright cabin lights and won’t keep your neighbor awake.

Physical books have advantages too. No battery anxiety, no screen fatigue, and there’s something grounding about turning actual pages when everything else feels artificial and confined.

Language learning apps like Duolingo gamify the process, though the effectiveness of app-based learning remains debatable among linguists. Still, it’s better than scrolling social media for hours.

Actually Getting Stuff Done: Productive Activities

Here’s an unpopular opinion: flights can be incredibly productive if you approach them right. No meetings, no random interruptions, no “quick questions” from colleagues.

Work That Works at Altitude

Writing projects thrive on flights. Something about the isolation and white noise makes words flow easier. I’ve written some of my best content somewhere over the Pacific, though this might be correlation rather than causation.

Planning and organizing tasks work well too. Review your calendar, plan upcoming projects, or tackle that inbox that’s been growing for months. Email organization isn’t glamorous, but uninterrupted time makes it almost meditative.

Apps That Don’t Need Internet:

• Notion syncs when you reconnect, letting you organize everything offline
• Google Docs saves locally and uploads later
• Todoist manages tasks without connectivity
• Evernote captures ideas and notes reliably

Creative Projects

Digital art on an iPad with Procreate ($12.99) can be surprisingly engaging. The app is intuitive enough for beginners but powerful enough for serious work.

Writing fiction or journaling works especially well on flights. The contained environment and limited distractions can unlock creativity in unexpected ways.

Learning new skills through downloaded courses from platforms like MasterClass or Coursera makes productive use of time, though retention might vary depending on your altitude tolerance.

Rest and Wellness Activities

The Sleep Challenge

Sleeping on planes is an art form that some people master and others never quite figure out. The key seems to be accepting that it won’t be great sleep and working within those constraints.

Creating Your Sleep Environment: Eye masks need to fit properly—cheap ones let light leak in around your nose. Contoured masks cost more ($15-25) but block light completely.

Noise-canceling headphones plus earplugs might seem like overkill, but airplane engines are surprisingly loud. The combination creates near-silence.

Temperature control matters more than you’d think. Planes get cold, then hot, then cold again. Layers let you adjust without depending on that thin airline blanket.

Matching your destination’s time zone sounds logical, but eastbound flights make this nearly impossible. Sometimes it’s better to just sleep when you’re tired and adjust after landing.

Moving Your Body

Sitting for 10+ hours isn’t natural, regardless of what airline marketing suggests. Getting up every few hours helps prevent blood clots and reduces that stiff, cramped feeling.

Simple In-Seat Exercises:

• Ankle circles and calf raises keep blood flowing
• Shoulder rolls and neck stretches counter hunched postures
• Seated spinal twists help with lower back stiffness
• Deep breathing exercises can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation

Walking the aisles when permitted breaks up the monotony. Most flight attendants don’t mind if you’re respectful about timing and space.

Meditation and Mindfulness

Meditation apps like Headspace ($12.99/month) or Calm ($69.99/year) work well on flights, though the airplane environment takes some adjustment. Background noise can actually help focus once you get used to it.

Breathing exercises don’t require apps and can help manage flight anxiety or claustrophobia. Simple box breathing (4 counts in, hold 4, out 4, hold 4) works anywhere.

Social Stuff: The Gamble of Airplane Conversations

Talking to fellow passengers is hit or miss. Some people want to sleep, others want to work, and some are genuinely interesting conversationalists.

Reading social cues becomes crucial in the confined airplane environment. Headphones usually signal “don’t talk to me,” while reading a physical book might invite comments about your choice.

When conversations do happen, they can be surprisingly meaningful. There’s something about shared experience of long-distance travel that breaks down normal social barriers.

Online Communities (When WiFi Works): Reddit travel communities can provide real-time destination advice, though airplane WiFi speeds make browsing frustrating.

Social media updates are fine in moderation, but airplane WiFi costs add up quickly for data-heavy activities.

Food Strategy: Beyond Airline Meals

Airline food has improved, but it’s still airplane food. Bringing your own snacks and meals can significantly improve the experience.

TSA-Friendly Options:

• Sandwiches work if you keep sauces under 3.4 oz or pack them separately
• Nuts, dried fruits, and trail mix provide sustained energy
• Protein bars are filling and don’t spoil
• Hard cheeses and crackers create a decent meal substitute

Special Meal Requests: Kosher meals are often prepared separately and may be higher quality than standard options, though this varies by airline.

Vegetarian meals sometimes get more attention from catering companies, though “vegetarian” can mean anything from creative cuisine to sad pasta.

Best Long Flight Apps and Tools (2025)

Entertainment Apps That Work Offline

App	Cost	Best For	Reality Check
Netflix	$15.49/month	Movies & Series	Download limits can be annoying
Spotify Premium	$10.99/month	Music & Podcasts	Massive offline library
Kindle	Free + books	Reading	Screen works in all lighting
Monument Valley	$3.99	Puzzle Gaming	Perfect flight game length

Productivity Tools

App	Cost	Best For	Offline Reality
Notion	Free/Paid	Organization	Limited offline sync
Google Docs	Free	Writing	Reliable offline mode
Duolingo	Free/Plus	Language Learning	Works completely offline
Procreate	$12.99	Digital Art	No internet needed

Travel & Utility Apps

App	Cost	Best For	Download Required
Google Maps	Free	Navigation	Yes – download destination
Google Translate	Free	Language Help	Download language packs
XE Currency	Free	Money Conversion	Rates update when connected

WiFi Reality Check

In-flight WiFi costs $8-30 depending on route length and airline. The connection is usually slow and sometimes unreliable.

What Works Well:

• Text-based communication (email, messaging)
• Light social media browsing
• Weather updates and basic web searches

What Doesn’t:

• Video streaming (expensive and frustrating)
• Large file uploads or downloads
• Video calls (poor quality, annoying for other passengers)

Better Offline Alternatives: Downloaded Google Maps with your destination area work better than trying to load maps over airplane WiFi.

Offline Wikipedia apps provide reference information without connectivity.

Pre-loaded weather apps with extended forecasts beat trying to check current conditions online.

Flight Length Strategies: What Actually Works

6-8 Hour Flights

These feel manageable but can still drag if you’re unprepared. Plan for 2-3 main activities with flexibility to switch when boredom hits.

Realistic Timeline:

• First 2 hours: Settle in, maybe watch something light
• Middle 3-4 hours: Your main activity (work, reading, movie)
• Final hours: Rest or prepare for arrival

One substantial book, two movies, or a focused work project usually fills this timeframe well.

10-12 Hour Flights

This is where strategy becomes important. You need variety to prevent mental fatigue from any single activity.

What Seems to Work:

• Mix entertainment and productivity in 2-3 hour blocks
• Plan at least one substantial rest period
• Have backup activities ready when your energy levels change

The middle hours are often the most challenging—you’re tired but not tired enough to sleep, and time feels slowest.

15+ Hour Ultra-Long-Haul

These flights require treating them like a compressed day. Multiple sleep periods, varied activities, and patience with the process.

Survival Strategy:

• Accept that you’ll go through multiple energy cycles
• Don’t try to stay awake the entire time
• Break the flight into 4-5 distinct phases
• Have more entertainment options than you think you need

The psychological challenge might be bigger than the physical one. Accepting the experience rather than fighting it seems to help.

Wrapping This Up

Long flights don’t have to be exercises in endurance, though they’ll never be as comfortable as your living room. The difference between a miserable flight and a decent one usually comes down to preparation and realistic expectations.

Pack more entertainment than you think you need. Test everything offline before you leave home. Bring comfort items that actually work for your body and sleep style. Most importantly, accept that some parts will drag no matter what you do.

Safe travels, and remember: even the longest flight eventually lands.