How to make flight time fly by

The longest nonstop flight currently operating is from Singapore to New York. It will transport you more than 9,537 miles but will take you a soul-crushing 18 hours and 40 minutes. Considering that 40% of Americans reportedly fear flying, spending this time en route could be many passengers’ worst nightmare.

There are, however, many ways to stay entertained mid-flight. Some require preparation before the flight, while others are simple enough to do onboard. These suggestions can help the time fly by and make you forget how long you’ve been airborne before the relief of landing.

Network
One of the best ways to pass the time while airborne is to get to know your fellow passengers. While this depends on whether you’re introverted or extroverted, a study found that 77% of Americans are more likely to speak to a stranger when traveling.

Doing this can help you feel more comfortable spending extended periods in close proximity to the passengers next to you. Because millions of people fly from thousands of destinations, it could also introduce you to someone who can teach you unique things about the customs and quirks of other nations—something you’ll almost certainly enjoy learning.

Onboard entertainment
Most long-haul flights offer a varied selection of in-flight entertainment. The screen in front of you provides this entertainment, which often includes movies and even a selection of TV shows. For most travelers, it’s one of the key items needed for a flight.

Plugging in your earphones, settling into your seat, and turning your screen away from the flight map can distract you from how far you have to go and engage you with fun content instead. If you find something you really enjoy, you may not even want to get off the plane once you land for fear of missing the ending.

Stretch and work out
Thinking that you can work out while flying might seem a bit silly, but it is possible due to various yoga poses designed specifically for flying. Trying some of these can help you relax, focus on something other than your (long) trip, and feel better when you reach terra firma.

If in-seat yoga is outside of your comfort zone, spend some time stretching by walking up and down the aisles or standing near emergency exits. This will not only be good for your body but will also reduce the time you still have to spend crammed into your seat.

Get work done
More than 405 million Americans take long-haul flights each year for business purposes. This could be to visit suppliers in another country or to secure a deal for international expansion. Whatever the case, spending hours in the air between destinations means plenty of working hours are lost.

With modern laptops and tablets, working while flying has never been easier. Spending some time finalizing documents, catching up on emails (on flights where WiFi is available), or even making a list of things to do when you land can keep you busy while you traverse the earth and can help you feel more fulfilled and productive by the time you land.

Learn something new
Although not ideal, being confined to one space is a great way to ensure you stay focused on what you choose to do. As such, this is a great time to learn a new skill you want to master or catch up on any studies you may be doing.

You can do this by bringing your textbooks along for the flight or downloading learning material to your phone, tablet, or laptop in advance. You can even do this using online training sites like Udemy, where WiFi is available.

Listen to music or podcasts
Music has a particular way of transporting us somewhere else as we get lost in the melodies and lyrics. Inserting your earphones and playing your favorite music as you close your eyes and sit back can quickly take your mind off your flight and allow the songs to make hours seem like minutes.

If you want to save specific songs for when you’re on the ground, listening to a podcast can also help keep you distracted. These can be downloaded to your device before you take off, keep you entertained, and even teach you something new.

Enjoy online entertainment
More than 16 international airlines provide in-flight WiFi to keep you connected with things happening on the ground while you soar above it.

Playing games online or following a recommendation for an online casino and deciding to check it out is one great way to use WiFi to pass the time quickly. If you’re not in the mood to play games, you can also use the connection to spend time on social media or catch up with the day’s news.

Plan your trip
Although most aspects of a trip are typically planned before you set off, some vacations or trips are so spontaneous that you don’t have enough time to outline a detailed itinerary. If that’s the case, you can do this while en route.

One of the top benefits of doing this is that you may be flying alongside passengers that are locals to the region you’re traveling to. Asking them about the best places to visit, stay, or eat at can give you priceless insight into your destination that even the most extensive online searches couldn’t compete with.

Read a book
Reading is still one of the primary forms of entertainment American adults enjoy. In 2023, a study reported that around 75% of US adults read at least one book during the year. For many, reading only one book is partly due to not having sufficient time to read more.

While flying, reading can engage your imagination and take you on an adventure that distracts you from being airborne. Therefore, if you’ve been yearning to read the latest novel by your favorite author, taking it along for the flight can help quickly pass the time.

The article How to make flight time fly by first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.