Looking at the number of hours we spend on a long flight, one wonders, what on earth are some of the things to do on a plane for more than 8 hours? Worry less, I have combined a list of 24 things to do on a plane when bored. Why should we get bored, when the world offers so much to indulge in?
1. Sleep
Due to the amount of time we dedicate to work, sometimes we are deprived of sleep. Although it may sound like a silly idea, why not catch up on sleep during those long hours? Get yourself a nice comfortable travel pillow and a warm blanket, and sleep.
You might find yourself enjoying your sleep on a plane more than in your own bed. I have no idea what it is but falling asleep after takeoff is one of the most amazing experiences. Sleeping took number one on the list because when it comes to things to do on a plane, I am first to close my eyes and depart to dreamland.
2. Read a Book
What better time to catch up on your reading than when you are on a flight? After all chances of getting lost in pointless back and fourth chats are pretty much nonexistent. You may rely on the wifi onboard but we all know how slow it is. Forget your phone for a while, and read some nice books.
3. Watch the clouds and snap lovely pictures
If your flight is in the afternoon, and you are in the window seat, why not practice your photography skills and snap a few onboard pictures? This is something I truly enjoy, and the main reason why I choose the window seat.
This may be a challenge if you’re flying at night unless you would like to also just snap city lights when you’re above the clouds. Not a bad idea as you might have something for your gram.
4. Watch movies
If you have been craving some movie time, what is better than watching your favorite movies up in the clouds? Although some airlines may not have your favorite movies, you might try to download some from your Netflix to watch offline. Do they even allow you to do that on Netflix?
5. Listen to Music
For music lovers, this is the perfect time to listen to some new music. Some songs are meant to be discovered up above the clouds, which is why you should ditch your phone and listen to the airline’s supplied music.
6. Meditate
Whether you rely on a guided meditation or you are on your way to meditating by yourself, use the time to engage in meditation. You can rely on apps such as Headspace or Spotify, and even YouTube.This is easily one of the things to do on a plane.
Although this may seem to be a challenge to some of us who are still very reliant on guided meditation, you are better prepared when you download meditations before your flight. Sleep meditations are the best for long flights because they are often scheduled for 8 hours.
You can use some of Brian Scott’s guided meditations and choose what you feel is important to meditate upon. I love money so I often have sleep meditations intended for money, wealth, and abundance.
7. Listen to Audiobooks
Audible can be the best app for listening to audiobooks if you do not prefer to read. Audiobooks are really essential if you have less time to sit and read but you might have gotten into the habit of listening rather than reading which is still very much okay to do on a long flight.
8. Write some code
Of course, this may sound like something purely reserved for people in tech, but if you are learning to code, you can use this time to write some really useful code. It might be a challenge if what you are coding requires an internet connection. But go ahead and spend time coding.
9. Watch Tutorials
Watching tutorials is a very effective way to improve your knowledge of a project or skill. Tutorials can help you learn how to use certain tools and techniques, as well as provide you with step-by-step instructions on creating quality work.
They can also provide you with a better understanding of the fundamentals of a project or skill, which can be very beneficial in the long run. You can find tutorials for almost any project or skill online, including videos, written guides, and interactive forms.
10. Listen to Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to fill up your downtime and introduce some fresh, interesting content into your life. Some of our favorite podcasts include
The Tim Ferriss Show
Marc Maron’s WTF
Freakonomics Radio
TED Radio Hour
RadioLab
How I Built This
The Joe Rogan Experience
The Dave Ramsey Show
The Moth
Mysterious Universe
Welcome to Night Vale
The Baby-Sitters Club Club
The Allusionist
The Ashley Flowers Podcast
Criminal
Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!
My Favorite Murder
The Black Tapes
Reply All
Stuff You Should Know
The Ground Up Show
The Sporkful
The Bill Simmons Podcast
The Friend Zone
The Nod
The Read
Revisionist History
The Liturgists Podcast
Myths and Legends
The Hilarious World of Depression
The Adventure Zone
Hello Internet
The Tamron Hall Show
11. Get Writing
Creative writing is any form of writing that uses the imagination to create original and imaginative stories, poems, plays, or other forms of writing. Creative writing can be used to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a variety of different ways.
It can also be used to explore different perspectives and tell stories with an element of surprise. Creative writing can be used to explore many different topics, from personal stories and reflections on life to fictional characters and settings. So bring out your thoughts to great use!
12. Learn a language
There are many different ways to learn a language. A few methods you could use include taking classes – either online or in-person – from language schools or universities. You can also use a language app such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone. Another way you can do this is by watching foreign films, and television shows, and reading books in a foreign language.
13. Coloring for adults
Coloring for adults online can be an incredibly relaxing activity. There are many websites that offer coloring pages that are tailored to adults, and they can range from simple designs that require little more than filling in sections with colors, to complex designs that require more skill and attention to detail.
Some websites also offer tutorials and other resources such as color palettes and creative inspiration to help make the coloring experience fun and relaxing.
14. Talk to Strangers
Talking to strangers is a great way to learn about different cultures and experiences, make new friends, and find interesting conversations. However, it is important to do so safely. Be aware of your surroundings and the people you are speaking with and always take precautions.
It is also important to remember that not everyone is trustworthy, and it is important to listen to your gut and keep personal information private.
15. Finish your Knitting
Knitting for fun can be a great way to relax and create a unique handmade item. You can choose from a variety of yarns, colors, and designs to customize a finished project. Knitting can be done anywhere and requires very few materials.
You’ll just need some knitting needles, yarn, and scissors. Depending on your skill level you can make anything from scarves and hats to blankets and mittens. Knitting can also be a great way to connect with others who have the same interests since most cities have knitting clubs
16. Eat Some Snacks
Eating snacks can help to provide the body with energy and help to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Snacks can help to keep people alert and focused and help to avoid feeling hungry between meals. Eating small amounts of healthy snacks can provide the body with vitamins and minerals.
Eating snacks can also help to reduce feelings of anxiety and boredom, making them a great way to help maintain a positive mood. Airlines provide some snacks, you can also pack your own snacks. This is my favorite thing to do on a plane.
17. Journal
Benefits of Journaling
Stress Relief: Writing about stressful events and experiences can be a powerful way to reduce stress levels and help you move through challenging moments.
Improved Mental Health: Studies have shown that journaling can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Writing about traumatic events has been found to be particularly beneficial in improving mental health.
Self-Awareness: Keeping an ongoing journal can help you to gain insight into your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Clarity and Focus: Writing down your plans, goals, and objectives can give you clarity and focus. Journaling can also help you to prioritize tasks, break them down into manageable chunks and map out short-term and long-term goals.
Self-Confidence: Regularly reflecting on your progress and successes can help to boost your self-esteem and self-confidence, and give you a sense of accomplishment
Enhanced Creativity: The process of journaling can help to foster creative thinking and ideas. This can help to boost your creativity and problem-solving skills, and can also be a helpful tool for brainstorming and generating new ideas.
18. Plan your projects
Planning projects should involve setting a timeline, gathering resources, defining objectives, mapping out deliverables and expectations, and planning project review procedures. Additionally, it should also include budgeting, scheduling, communicating progress and potential issues with stakeholders, and planning methods for addressing potential roadblocks.
Benefits of Planning your projects
Better visibility: Project planning helps provide better visibility into the project’s activities, tasks, and goals, which is invaluable for stakeholders, who can then better understand the project’s timeline and the value that it is expected to deliver.
Increased focus: Having a plan in place sets expectations and ensures that everyone involved is on the same page. A plan helps keep the project moving forward and provides a roadmap to success.
Improved collaboration: Good planning helps everyone involved to understand their contributions,
19. Write thoughtful messages to your loved ones
Being on a long flight forces you to become present. What better time than to construct a meaningful text message for your loved ones? Express how much you appreciate their presence in your life, and how meaningful they are to you.
And when I say loved ones, I am talking about people who love and support you. The ones who reciprocate your efforts and hold you in extreme gentleness. Please save your words if you are thinking of texting people who are careless in how they treat you.
20. Clean up your phone
Is this among some of the worthy things to do on a plane? I say absolutely! Usually, when catching long flights, it means we are heading somewhere new. Why car
A lot of times we have messages and images that have no place on our phones anymore. Take this time to clean up messages you no longer need, contacts you have no use for, and pictures that no longer serve a purpose. Yes including messages from your ex, delete and block him too. You deserve better thanks!
21. Play Sudoku
Sudoku is a logic-based number-placement puzzle. The objective of the game is to fill a 9×9 grid with digits so that each column, each row, and each of the nine 3×3 subgrids that compose the grid contain all of the digits from 1 to 9
Benefits of playing sudoku
Strengthens critical thinking skills: Playing Sudoku can help to sharpen and strengthen your critical thinking skills due to the need to logically and systematically eliminate options while solving the puzzle.
Improves concentration: Sudoku requires you to focus and pay attention to the numbers and their positions. Playing Sudoku can help to improve and increase your mental concentration.
Develops problem-solving skills: As you solve a Sudoku puzzle, you must use logical reasoning to deduce which numbers to fill in.
22. Catch up on Work
You can try to connect to wifi onboard and then respond to those emails you have been postponing or ignoring. You can also work on your presentations or anything work-related that will lessen your workload.
23. Play Games On Your Tablet
There are a variety of games available to play on tablets, ranging from first-person shooter games to casual puzzle games. The app stores for most tablets contain endless options for gaming. Popular titles for tablet gaming include Minecraft, Monument Valley, Asphalt 8, and Subway Surfers.
24. Practice Your Photography skills
It is possible to take pictures while flying, depending on the airline and country in which you are traveling. Taking pictures on board is amongst some of the most exciting things to do on a plane.
Some airlines may allow you to take photos without any restrictions, while some airlines may restrict or prohibit photography altogether.
In some countries, taking photos from the air may also be restricted due to airspace regulations. Before attempting to take pictures while flying, always consult with the airline and local authorities to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable regulations.
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