Surviving a Long Haul Flight: 6 Ways to Stay Entertained at 30,000 ft.
Travel is by far one of the greatest experiences you could ever decide to do in your life. Reaching brand spanking new destinations and exploring faraway places can create an even greater urge to see more of this big old world. There really isn't anything else quite like it.
Unfortunately, the getting there part of travel isn't always as exciting. So, here are six easy ways for you to keep sane and make the journey even better than you could have hoped for.
You've booked your flight and set the date. Now to mentally prepare yourself for the plane ride that is most likely going to feel like the never-ending story.
We are pretty lucky in this day and age that technological advances give us some pretty sweet service up there in the sky. Chances are you will have some form of digital entertainment, but we know watching random movies for 15+ hours doesn't always cut it, and in a world that is heavily internet dependent, there is likely going to be a few social media withdrawals on board too.
Read below the magical remedies that will finally let you enjoy yourself a bit more on that super long journey!
IDEA #1 🎨
Grab a book. Remember those things with paper pages and words written on them? A little old school, we know.
But you will thank us later, especially when a lovely voice comes over the aircraft speakers to let you know the entertainment system is down. Look for a book that has something to do with where you're off to, or even grab an adult colouring-in book. Not only are colouring books super relaxing but they can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and even PTSD.
Add that to the relaxed holiday mode you are already in, and you are going to be the happiest person on the planet when you step off that plane.
IDEA #2 💺
Get in early and snatch up a window seat, especially if your flight is during the day. Sites like SeatGuru & SeatMaestro can help you examine every last detail before you pick your spot.
Plus, looking out of a plane window is like watching a free episode of Planet Earth, and you can add your very own David Attenborough voiceover as you take in some of Earths monstrous oceans, magnificent mountains, boundless desserts or ice caps all from a bird's-eye view.
Added bonus features of a window seat selection - it's the perfect spot for nap time if you prefer to sleep the majority of the journey.
IDEA #3 ✏️
Map out your trip or start working on a travel journal. There is nothing better than a first-hand account of the travel journey you have entailed from the food you ate on the flight to the feeling you first felt stepping off that plane. Your future self is already thanking you for the memory bank.
Even though your flight may not be filled with exciting tales - you can start mapping out where you want to go, a sort of travel bucket list for yourself. This is the perfect downtime to get organised and know exactly what you want to do.
You can also get creative and decide if you want to blog, vlog with a GoPro, Snapchat or start a YouTube channel so others can follow your footsteps too.
[Mapping out your trip will only get you more excited.]
IDEA #4 📱
Bring your smart device along for the journey so you can keep your technology cravings at bay. We suggest getting your apps organised before take off.
Related: Travel Apps We Can't Live Without
Download music from whatever music is streaming service is your particular poison. Top tip: make sure it's an album or four or playlists rather than individual songs. It's a lot quicker!
Or better yet an entire season of a TV show you haven't watched yet. Netflix offline mode will be a godsend. By the time you make it through 20 episodes at 45 minutes a pop, you should almost be touching down again.
IDEA #5 💪🏼
Work out. Although there are no gyms on planes yet (million dollar idea), it is good travel ethic to keep your blood circulating throughout the flight, and this is a great way to distract your mind from any form of boredom.
Pack your sneakers and set yourself a little circuit to keep loose when you're in the air. Do reps of 10 knees raises, some seated twists, or a few laps stretching down the aisles. Repeat as many times as you like
This is perfect for all the fitties out there, and even the not so fit. Just be sure to keep all motions to a small area, so you don't accidentally high kick the person sitting next to you.
IDEA #6 🍹
Finally, if none of the above is working out for you, then it's time to hit the air bar.
For those of you in Economy, it's just the seat that you are already in; you don't even have to move. Press the button overhead and order the good stuff in a plastic cup and why not see if you can get some interesting tales out of the person sitting next to you.
Most of the time you will find that the people you sit next to on planes are the ones with the most exciting stories that will keep you entertained for hours, and if they aren't that chatty, maybe you can get some help with your colouring book.
At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do on a plane with a few hundred people seated, sleeping or purposefully trying to avoid eye contact with anyone.
So do what you can to stay entertained, and the biggest advice we can give you is just to keep imagining the urge of excitement that will race through your body when you land at your final destination! Click below to find inspiration on where to fly next.