Flying long-haul can be fun if you love traveling. But when the WiFi cuts out, the signal becomes unreliable, or worse, your phone dies, that can be a doozy. If you’re not someone who enjoys sitting still, that flight can start to feel endless.
You know that feeling when time stretches and 6 hours feel like 18? That isn’t a great feeling.
Whether you’re traveling for fun or business, it’s smart to plan for different realities: like the airline not offering WiFi, the satellite system going down, or your flight getting delayed.
Because when you can’t stream, browse, or message freely, you’ll have to rely on what you packed and what you prepared ahead of time.
Table of content
Pre-flight preparations
Download content and games before the flight
Your long-haul flight is the perfect chance to catch up on shows or podcasts you’ve been putting off. Before you board, download your movies, TV series, audiobooks, and podcasts so you’ll have plenty of entertainment ready to go.
A good tip: aim for variety. Mix up your downloads with a few short episodes, a long film, and something you can listen to if you get tired of screens.
Charge your devices and gadgets
The last thing you want is a dead phone, iPad, or pair of headphones just a few hours into a 14-hour flight. Make sure all your devices are fully charged before you leave home.
Most airports have charging stations or outlets where you can top up while waiting to board. And if you can, bring a portable power bank as backup, it’s a small thing that can save you a lot of frustration midair.
Screen free activities to pass the time on long-haul flights
Even if your flight has WiFi, after a few hours, the in-flight movies can start to blur together. When that happens, switch gears and try a few screen-free ways to make time move faster.
Meditate
This might not sound exciting, but long-haul flights are a rare chance to let your mind rest. We’re so used to being in constant motion, needing to be active and productive. Either scrolling, creating, working, doing nothing feels unnatural.
Long-haul flights are an opportunity to do nothing and allow our minds to take a break and simply observe.
If you’re someone who always needs to achieve something, this can feel uncomfortable at first. But giving your mind a break is healthy.
Quiet time often brings clarity. Ideas or insights buried under daily noise have space to rise to the surface once you slow down.
Create Something With Your Hands
I’ve seen fellow travelers bring small crafts: embroidery or crochet, on flights. From what I’ve observed, it’s a calming and satisfying way to pass the time. If that’s your thing, pack a small kit in your carry-on.
If crafting isn’t for you, try a puzzle book, travel-size board game, or a deck of cards. Even a quick round with your seatmate can make the hours feel lighter.
Stretch, walk, write
Break up the monotony by standing and walking the aisle every few hours. It helps circulation, and a few light stretches make a big difference.
Keep a small notebook nearby to jot down thoughts, plans, or ideas that usually get lost in your busy day. Some business travelers use this quiet time to brainstorm, outline projects, or even draft messages to polish later.
Offline time has a funny way of helping us gain clarity, you see what actually matters once the noise drops away.
Digital activities you can do offline on a plane
Just because you don’t have WiFi doesn’t mean you have to be bored. With a little preparation, you can stay entertained, relaxed, and even productive while you’re offline.
Watch downloaded shows or movies
When the in-flight entertainment runs dry, your own downloaded content becomes gold. Make sure to save your shows or movies before boarding so you can watch them without needing a connection.
Pick something engaging enough to fill a few hours, maybe a new series or that long film you’ve been saving for a rainy day.
Listen to podcasts or audiobooks
Perfect for when you get tired of staring at a screen. Your downloaded podcasts and audiobooks will play just fine in airplane mode and can make even a long flight feel cozy.
To make it more enjoyable, bring a good pair of noise-canceling headphones, they block the cabin hum and help you stay immersed.
Read more: 11 Essential gadgets every traveler need
Play offline games on your device
Crossword puzzles, logic games, and word apps are perfect for airplane mode. They’re light, fun, and great for keeping your mind busy when you don’t feel like reading or watching.
Even a few rounds of a simple offline game can make an hour disappear faster than you think.
Review your destination list on board
If you’ve pinned your hotel, restaurants, and attractions in Google Maps, make sure to download the map before your flight. That way, you can still access everything offline.
While you’re disconnected, open your notes or map app and fine-tune your itinerary, trim the extra stops if you’ve gone overboarded, add new finds, or reorder your plans. You’ll land feeling more organized and ready to explore.
Pre-book your car for arrival
Once you land, you’ll want to hit the ground running, especially after a long flight. With Tarlen Carshare, you can rent a car and have it delivered straight to the airport or your hotel, so you’re mobile from the moment you arrive.
Keep a small day bag ready with snacks, wipes, and water for outings.
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