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International flights are long–and I mean LONG. Dealing with the countless hours sitting straight up in a compact space is irritating enough, and staying entertained and sane on the flight can be a challenge (especially if you’re afraid of heights like me!). Need some suggestions on how to make your extremely long flight more bearable? Here is my surefire list to overcoming your in-flight boredom.
Watch Some Movies
I’m sure you were expecting this one, but one of the easiest ways to pass the time is diving into a few good flicks. Most airplanes offer services that allow you to watch movies, whether or not your seat has a tv. Using your smartphone or tablet (bring a charger!), you can stream movies from a collection accessible through the plane’s wifi.
Some movies that are hot right now:
- Aqua Man
- Captain Marvel
- A Dog’s Way Home
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
You can also check the new movies available each month in advance, so check your airline’s movie stash through their website. You can access the catalogs through Delta, United, and American, to name a few.
I haven’t yet met an international flight without a tv, albeit I’ve only been on two, but if your flight has screens on the back of the seats there is a chance it has more features than solely accessing movies. Some airlines offer games as well as movies. For example, I spent a pretty big portion of my last Air France flight glued to the screen playing Angry Birds and Bejeweled. Make sure to access your flight’s website to see all of the options for in-flight entertainment and movies.
Why Not Journal?
Writing has a calming effect, and if you have a journal or even your cell phone’s note app, why not spend some time writing? This is best if you’re returning from your trip, as you can recount your experiences and log them. I’m sure you encountered a lot on your trip, and those are memories you don’t want to forget. Brainstorm, stirring up your imagination is a great way to pass time.
Here are some journaling prompts, as cheesy as they may be.
- Where did you visit and why?
- What was the most spontaneous moment of your trip?
- What did you knock off your bucket list? What is your bucket list?
- Will you visit again? If so, who do you want to be next time you visit?
If you’re interested in clearing your mind, you can find writing prompts to ease your mind here. Of course, not everyone is the biggest fan of writing, so let’s get on with our list!
Eat!
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Enough said. Am I the only one that thinks airline food isn’t that bad?
Seriously, Get Some Sleep!
Jet lag is real and adjusting to the time at home is another hurdle, so consider taking some time to sleep on the plane. I know, it’s easier said than done, but sleeping is truly the fastest way to make your flight go by quickly. Sitting upright to sleep isn’t my cup of tea either, but consider these tips for catching Zzz’s in the sky.
- Avoid caffeine! As much as it hurts me to even propose it, caffeine will not only keep you up, it could be an uncomfortable mix if you get pre-flight jitters.
- Bring a neck pillow or something to rest your head against. Personally, I don’t think it’s possible to sleep with your head straight up, and leaning it is much comfier. So strap your neck pillow to your carry-on and carry on.
- Drink lots of water the day before and the day of your flight. Hydration can help counter jet lag, and sleep and hydration make a rejuvenating team. You’ll thank me later!
- Sniff some lavender. Lavender is a calming scent that can be lulling, and lavender lotion can be a great (TSA-approved travel sized) asset for calming down en route.
- Take some melatonin. Melatonin is naturally produced in the body, and it is also available as a supplement. Just remember that anything can affect you differently at 30,000 feet, so make sure you’ve taken any sleep aids such as melatonin prior to your flight.
Well, there you have it! I hope these tips will help any traveler deal with at least some of the strenuous aspects of reaching their destination.
Happy traveling!
