13 Things to Do on a Plane: Boredom Busters & Productivity Tips

Are you dreading your next long flight?

I agree, there’s nothing quite as frustrating as being stuck on a long flight with nothing to do.

But with a little planning and creativity, I’ve discovered that you CAN turn your time in the air into an opportunity to be productive, have a fun time, or relax.

In fact, over the years I’ve learned to make 10-hour long-haul flights something I actually enjoy! I’m so excited to share these tips and ideas of things to do on a plane with you today.

Whether you’re looking for ways to pass the time, get work done, or unwind, I’ve got you covered.

So buckle up, sit back, and let’s take off!

What to do on a Plane?

Boredom Busters

1) Watch Movies

Let’s be honest, watching movies while eating some snacks is probably the most common way to kill a few hours on a long flight. Nothing wrong with it either 🙂

Many airlines these days offer in-flight entertainment in the form of a personal TV at every seat. Chances are, you’ll find a movie that’s been on your “to-watch” list but you haven’t gotten around to yet.

If you’re not sure whether in-flight entertainment will be offered, you can pre-download movies or shows onto your personal devices, such as an iPad, computer, or phone. Many streaming services have this option available so that you can binge-watch your favorite shows and movies offline during a long flight.

2) Play Games

If you’re traveling with kids, playing games on a plane is a great way to keep them entertained and beat the boredom during a long flight.

You can pack a few things like your favorite board games (travel-sized, of course), card games, and puzzles to make things more interesting.

Tic-tac-toe on a napkin was always a classic for me growing up. Better than any Nintendo switch, if you ask me 🙂

Or you can take things digital and plan on playing games on your phone or table.

If you don’t have kids, playing games can still be a great way to pass the time. I love bringing crosswords and sudoku puzzles on board with me when I’m traveling with friends or a partner.

3) Read a Book

One of the things I’ve come to love about long-haul flights in the past few years is that it gives me concentrated time to read.

I always travel with my Kindle, since it’s much more compact than paper books and allows me to bring a variety of options (one of my favorite packing hacks!)

If I’m traveling to a new country, I love to find novels set in the country I’m visiting or books by local authors. This is a fun way to immerse yourself in the culture of your destination.

4) Listen to Music or Podcasts

If you’re looking for something to do that’s low-key and relaxing, listening to music or podcasts can be a great option.

Again, just make sure to pre-download your favorites so that you have some options for what to listen to onboard.

I always like to have extras pre-downloaded in case there is a delayed or canceled flight (I hate to think about the worst-case scenario, but better safe than sorry!)

5) Journal

Journaling is a great way to pass the time on a plane and get your thoughts down on paper.

You can take things old-school and bring a notebook, but I prefer using my iPad for things like this.

A few ideas for what you could journal about:

• Gratitude journaling (a fun challenge could be to write a list of 100 things you are grateful for!)
• Reflection on trip
• Creative bullet journaling
• Brainstorming ideas of things to do at your destination
• Daydreaming/goal setting for the new year

There are some great journaling apps available that make things really easy.

6) Learn a Language

Who says you can’t learn something while on a plane? With things like Duolingo and other language-learning apps, you can use your long-haul flight to start learning a new language.

If you’re going on an international trip, this can be a great way to get acquainted with the local language of your destination.

And just imagine, when you get off in a few hours, you’ll be able to read the airport signs and thank the passport control worker in the local language. I love these kinds of moments!

7) Socialize with Fellow Passengers

This might feel like a stretch if you tend to be more introverted, but talking to your seatmate can be a great way to pass the time during a long flight.

You never know who you might meet. You might even connect with someone who can give you some ideas of things to do in the destination you’re visiting. I got some great restaurant tips from my seatmate when I was traveling to Portugal a few years ago.

Plus, if your seatmate is a good listener and conversation flow easily, it could be the perfect opportunity for you to talk things through if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.

8) Writing Letters or Postcards to Friends and Family

Writing postcards is becoming a lost art, but I know it really makes my day to receive one in the mail!

If you’re coming home from a fun trip or vacation, surprise a few of your friends and family with postcards.

You can pick them up at the airport and write them out during the flight. Then, drop them off in a mailbox when you land! I’m sure your loved ones will appreciate the thoughtful surprise.

9) In-Flight Exercises

Sometimes, the best things to do on a plane are things that get your body moving.

Try doing some in-flight exercises like stretching. Not only can this help to keep you from getting too stiff during long-haul flights, but it can also help boost your circulation and reduce your risk of blood clots or more serious issues like deep vein thrombosis.

You could also do things like chair twist exercises or leg lifts. There are some great resources online that provide more detailed instructions on things you can do while onboard.

Productive Things To do on a Plane

10) Organizing and Planning

If you’re the kind of person who likes to be productive and make things happen, take advantage of your long flight time for some organization.

You can use things like Trello or Evernote to create a plan for when you get to your destination so that you feel prepared and ready for anything.

You can also use this time to organize the things (e.g. paperwork, invoices, etc.) that you need to take care of when you arrive.

11) Draft Emails

Even if you’re offline for the duration of your flight, you can still use your free time to work on some emails.

If you have some emails that you’ve been putting off replying to because they require some focused attention or a more detailed reply, a long-haul flight can be a great time to knock those things off your to-do list.

Then it will be a quick minute to send them once you land.

12) Organize Your Photos

Most of us take more photos than we know what to do with. Long-haul flights are a great time to spend some time organizing your digital photo library.

You can go through your photos and delete duplicates, create digital photo albums, or even pick your favorites to print and add to a physical scrapbook or photobook when you get home.

13) Brainstorming and Creative Thinking

With the hustle of daily life put on hold, a plane ride provides a unique opportunity for quiet reflection and focused thinking.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking for new business ideas, a writer seeking inspiration for your next story, or just someone who wants to tap into their creative side, the time in the air is the perfect place to do it.

You can start by jotting down your thoughts and ideas in a notebook or on a tablet, or you can try visualization techniques like mind mapping to help organize your thoughts.

You can also try writing exercises like free writing or stream-of-consciousness to let your thoughts flow freely.

Whatever approach you take, the goal is to let your mind wander, make connections, and come up with new and innovative ideas. So take advantage of the peaceful environment of a plane ride, and let your creativity soar!

Wrapping Up

There are plenty of things to do on a plane that can make your long-haul flight more enjoyable and productive.

From sending postcards to loved ones back home to organizing photos, exercising onboard, or brainstorming new ideas – I hope you’ve found something that suits your personality and needs!

Whether it’s for entertainment or productivity purposes, taking advantage of the time available while in-flight is a game changer.

As they say, the joy of travel lies not in the destination, but in the journey 🙂

Have a safe flight!