What’s the secret to surviving (and maybe even enjoying) those hours you spend flying? It depends on several factors, including the duration of your flight and whether you’re flying solo or with kids. Whatever your plan – and whoever you’re travelling with – a little prep can make your time at 30,000 feet feel intentionally well spent. Here are 14 of the best things to do on a plane, including things to do on a plane without Wi-Fi.
1. Plan your next trip
Why not plan a trip while you’re already in travel mode? One of my favourite sources of inspiration while flying is the airline’s in-flight magazine (if it has one). I love flipping to the back to check out its network: seeing routes on a map is a great way to discover a city you may have overlooked.
Many airlines also will allow passengers to book travel while on their in-flight WiFi. And if you are connected, you can also use KAYAK’s Explore tool to see all the places you can fly within a given price range. Or filter by flight time, exact dates, or budget.
2. Plan your current trip
I like to allow for a little kismet when I travel, so I don’t organise trips down to the hour. But even if you are a diligent planner, there’s always something new to learn about your destination while en route so you don’t miss out on something you wish you knew beforehand.
3. Enjoy a film “date”
I love to indulge in an in-flight film (or two!) when I’m travelling solo. But when I’m flying with my significant other, we like to synchronise our in-flight entertainment and simulate one of the film dates we’re always too busy for at home. There are a couple of ways to do this:
- If you’re using the seatback entertainment system, start the movie at the same time on your seatback screens.
- When there’s Wi-Fi but no seatback system, sync your earbuds to a single device and watch together.
- The same strategy applies if you’ve downloaded a film or show to watch without Wi-Fi.
Remember that if you’re using wireless earbuds with a seatback entertainment system, you’ll need a bluetooth adapter (or “dongle”) to wirelessly transmit audio. Buy one before your trip — and definitely before you get to the airport, where they’re much more expensive.
4. Level up your language skills
If you’re headed to another country, learning a few words in the local language – especially staples like “please” and “thank you“ – will go a long way in establishing you as a respectful, considerate traveller.
Before your flight, download one of the many language apps and pass the time onboard brushing up on key words and phrases. Some apps are subscription-based (while some sell single courses). Some are free, such as Duolingo and Drops (though you may have to pay after an initial trial). And if you’re already conversational, watching a film in that language with subtitles on (or listening to an audiobook) can serve as a handy refresher.
5. Keep kiddos entertained easily
As any parent will tell you, travelling with kids is an adventure in itself. But there are plenty of ways to make time fly at 30,000 with pint-sized passengers. Here’s how to pack and plan.
- Pack a surprise toy bag. Before your flight, pack a small bag (reusable grocery tote bags are great) with a selection of small, inexpensive new-to-your-kid items. Every hour or so, they get to pull out a new one. And remember, novelty is the whole point, so bring this out only when you’re on board.
- Download kid-friendly audio books ahead of time. Adding in audio books is a great way to keep kids entertained without relying on non-stop screen time.
- Pack a bag of healthy, not-too-sugary treats. Kids who are hungry aren’t happy. Stash some pre-cut fruit, granola bars and other healthy treats in your carry-on to keep cravings at bay.
When my son was a toddler, I always packed a roll of painter’s tape in my carry-on. This toolbox staple is a godsend when you’re flying with little ones. Simply tear off a few strips and let them go to town, sticking them on the armrests, tray table or themselves (just be sure they’re not banging on the seat in front of them while doing it). There’s minimal clean-up, since the tape is designed to easily peel off with no residue. Game changer.
Blane Bachelor, travel writer
6. Catch some sleep
If you’re one of those people who drops off as soon as the engine revs up, I’m jealous! For passengers who have trouble sleeping on a plane (which may be the goal for many on a red eye flight) some prep can be very helpful. To catch some ZZZ’s, pack a sleep kit with the following:
- A travel blanket or scarf to stay cozy in chilly cabins (bonus for one that pulls double duty as part of your travel wardrobe)
- An eye mask (silk ones have an extra luxurious feel)
- A travel pillow (inflatable ones help save space)
7. Stretch, do in-seat exercises and stay hydrated
Sitting for long periods of time, preexisting health conditions, cramped seating and other factors can raise the likelihood of forming a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot that typically forms in a leg vein and can be life-threatening if it travels to your heart or lungs.
But there are several strategies to prevent DVTs while flying, especially on long-haul flights.
- Take regular breaks to stretch and walk around. Every 90 minutes or so, get up to stretch and walk around to kick-start your circulation. This may be more difficult if you’re in a window seat, but you can also time your stretch breaks when your seat mates get up.
- Do in-seat exercises. If you can’t easily get up (or it’s a shorter flight), you can still do in seat exercises such as ankle rolls, knee-to-chest-stretches and shoulder rolls to keep blood flowing. Aim for a few rounds every hour.
- Wear compression socks. Compression socks have come a long way in recent years, and they are highly recommended by doctors for people who have a history or risk of DVTs. Not only do they help prevent DVTs, they also reduce swelling in your legs, ankles and feet.
- Stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water before and during the flight doesn’t just ward off the effects of dry cabin air: It also helps your blood flowing properly, which prevents DVTs. Aim for 250 ml per hour, and always travel with a reusable water bottle.
8. Do a little daydreaming
There is something about being high above the clouds that, for me at least, inspires the imagination. A long-haul flight is my favourite place to dream big: make new life goals, strategise long-term plans and think creatively.
Flights are great for journalling, too. Stash a notebook into your carry-on luggage and start scribbling down your thoughts when the mood strikes.
9. Get your game(s) on
As a Scrabble fanatic, I’m not sure how I ever lived without the Scrabble app. I love challenging any travel companion to a game (or seven!). I am also competitive about crosswords, which I’m happy to do on paper or an app; in fact, you can find several competitive crossword apps that are great for long plane rides. Here are some other options to get your game on while flying:
- Word searches
- Sudoku
- Solitaire
- Virtual escape rooms or choose-your-own adventure games
10. Get creative with easy art
Crayons, markers and coloured pencils aren’t just for little ones. Colouring or doodling is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress, improve focus and just indulge in some downtime while flying. (No wonder adult colouring books have sold like gangbusters in recent years!)
You can also try a hugely popular doodling technique called Zentangle: an easy-to-learn, relaxing way of drawing structured patterns, or “tangles.” The only supplies you need are a few sheets of paper and a pen or two. Do a search online to get an idea of what it’s about, and then use your next flight to tap into your inner artist.
11. Pump up your productivity
If you plan to use your time while flying to knock out some work, a few key strategies can make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
- Do your research to see if Wi-Fi will be available onboard. If not, you’ll be able to plan ahead for when you don’t have connectivity (see below for more tips).
- Choose your seat wisely. If work is your focus for the flight, having some space to spread out, with as few distractions as possible, is a wise move. Choosing a seat in the exit row — where small children aren’t allowed to sit — can pay off big with some extra legroom and a kid-free immediate environment.
- Make sure your laptop is fully charged before boarding. Not all flights come with in-seat outlets, so don’t get caught with a low battery mid-project. If you do find your battery waning, set it to low-power mode (and close as many tabs and windows as possible to preserve power).
12. Check out the in-flight map
This one is only doable on flights with a seat-back screen, but it’s a fun way to pass the time while keeping tabs on your flight. Simply pull up the map — sometimes it’s called the Flight Tracker — and you’ll be able to see all kinds of cool numbers, including how far you’ve flown, miles left in your flight, outside air temperature, altitude and more.
Many maps are highly detailed and interactive, which means you can zoom in on your current location and see natural landmarks you’re passing over or are coming up in the flight path. This is also a fun learning opportunity if you’re travelling with school-age kids.
13. Do some photo cleanup on your phone
Most of us have way too many travel photos on our phones, so why not use the downtime while flying as a chance to whittle them down? You can also organise photos for easier browsing.
Bonus: This is something you can do whether you have Wi-Fi or not.
14. Things to do on a plane without Wifi
More airlines are offering in-flight Wi-Fi, especially on long-haul flights, either for a fee or free for members of loyalty programmes. Still, it’s often not available, which means you’ll need to be prepared ahead of time. And even if your flight is equipped with the internet, it’s always a good idea to have a few backups on hand in case the system goes down or your seatback screen isn’t working properly.
Here are some things to do on a plane without Wi-Fi.
Do your downloads ahead of time
If you want to catch up on your favourite podcasts or shows or sink into a juicy e-book, it’s best to do those downloads at home. Some airports have slow Wi-Fi, and you won’t be the only passenger trying to load up their devices before boarding. A few ideas for what to download:
- For relaxed listening: Queue a few podcast episodes and/or a new album
- For the cinephiles: Download at least 1film and 2 sitcoms
- For the language learners: Save a language lesson and phrase list
- For the readers and crossword fans: Preload an e-book and puzzle pack
- For photo updates: Download extra phone storage for new photos you’ll take on your trip.
Stay in work mode easily
Even without Wi-Fi, there are a few ways you can knock out a few tasks and stay productive.
- Inbox triage in airplane mode
- Draft replies in a notes app that doesn’t require connectivity
- Clean desktop and files
- Outline a trip budget
- Plan three “first-day back” tasks for when you return home (or to the office)
Go analog with your entertainment
When you pack options for reading and relaxing that don’t rely on Wi-Fi, you’ll be prepared for any flight — as well as delays on the ground or on the tarmac. Stash these into your hand luggage for some analogue fun at 30,000 feet:
- A paperback book
- A few of your favorite magazines
- A deck of cards – an excellent option if you’re travelling with others
Best things to do on a plane: FAQ
You can map out a plan for your destination; learn a few words of the language, or even knock out some work you’ve been procrastinating on now that you’re in an environment that’s (mostly) free of distractions.
Many stores sell travel-sized games to play with your seat mate. But if you don’t want the extra bulk, that’s where apps come in handy. Download them beforehand so you’re ready to play on your device onboard.
Downloading films or shows ahead of time is key. You can also consider analogue options, such as reading a book or magazine; doing puzzles or playing games; colouring or drawing (yes, adults can do it too!); or using the time to clean up your phone’s overflowing camera roll.
Aim for once an hour, if you can. If you’re in a window seat and unable to get up more often, do in-seat exercises like ankle rolls and knee-to-chest stretches to keep circulation moving.
