The Ultimate Guide of Things to Do On a Long Flight (Updated 4/2020)

Long flights don’t have to be mentally and physically draining. With the ultimate guide of things to do on a long flight, you not only will learn to manage your flight better but learn to love it, too.

Affiliate Disclosure: There are affiliate links throughout this post. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product through that link, then I will receive a small commission for the referral. And that is kinda cool.

In my twenties, I flew to Milan from Miami; I believe this flight was about ten hours.  I was solo traveling as an American on board an Italian airline.  My seatmates were an Italian speaking couple.  All of the announcements, you guessed it, in Italian.  And I don’t speak Italian, at all. 

I took an Ambien (prescription sleep aid) and slept in that tiny seat eight out of the ten hours of that flight.  I woke up in time to use the restroom and drink a cup of coffee.  And then we landed.

That was solo travel, and that was before family happened.

Fast forward to the present. I have a husband and two kids in tow—a completely different person than that twenty-something, I’m-flying-to-Milan-alone-see-you-later-girl.

Nowadays, I have a plan to manage that long haul flight that does not involve sedating myself for the majority of the flight (although that was nice).

I have learned after several eight-plus hour flights overseas, how to manage a long flight better. Nowadays, I love them, and I look forward to flying.

The ultimate guide of things to do on a long flight starts during the planning stage.

Learning to love a long flight takes planning and training, kinda like completing your first 5K. You would not walk up to the starting line of a 5K without preparation, am I right? So, start before you get there.

Here is how.

1. Consider your flight wisely, including flight times and seating choices.
2. Smartly assemble your carry on bag. Here is a printable carry on bag checklist.
3. Consider signing up for TSA Precheck ($85 for five years). Speed through security, and you don’t have to remove your shoes, laptop, liquids, belts, and light jackets.
4. Don’t tie one on the night before and start your vacation with a hangover.
5. Get a good night’s sleep.
6. Plan a stylish but comfortable outfit. Athleta is my go-to for flight style and comfort.
7. Fully charge EVERYTHING.
8. Eat a healthy meal and hydrate.
9. If you have time in the morning, go for a walk, jog, or hit the gym.
10. For those of you with airport anxiety, read this!
11. Download recommended Podcasts.

Things to do on a long flight: 18 tips.

Travel day is exciting, exhilarating, and exhausting at the same time.

There was a time when travel day was just that, travel day. Nowadays, it is a day of relaxing, learning, hanging out with my family, and planning our vacation.

So, your bags are checked.  You board the plane and tuck your carry-on.  Gather your in-flight entertainment.  Cozy the kids and husband.  The door to the plane closes in preparation for take-off.  As you are taxiing to the runway, what are you thinking?

• Are we there, yet? 
• Which one is gonna puke? (we all get motion sickness)
• What the heck am I gonna do the next eight hours of my life captive on this airplane?
• I hope the kids don’t scream.
• Now what?

1)  Make sure everyone in the family is comfortable.

There will be much less complaining if they are all comfortable with a pillow, blanket, cozy socks, and entertainment. 

Many people in-flight use compression socks not only for comfort but protection from swelling and Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT).  

2)  Have all of your in-flight entertainment ready.

• Kindle Paperwhite is my husband’s favorite. 
• Audible is great for audiobooks, but I prefer an old fashioned book to hold in my hand. 
• Smartphone for notes in case you want to write a blog post or a list of ideas.
• Grab a city guide and a map at the bookstore or on Amazon.
• Pass the time away while planning your itinerary.
• Involve the kids in the planning process since they are now a captive audience.
• Prep your Podcast playlist before boarding.
• Upload your favorite TV or Netflix series and binge-watch.

3)  Purchase today’s newspaper.

Or grab a magazine, or even a crossword or word find booklet.

4)  Pack an adult coloring book and some colored pencils.

A new one for me, recommended by a fellow blogger for relaxation and to pass the time.  Type in “adult coloring book for Arizona,” or wherever you are traveling to, in the search bar on Amazon.com.  It is amazing.  And it is true, very relaxing and peaceful (especially while wearing those noise-canceling headphones).

5)  Prepare the kid’s entertainment.

Fill their iPads with games, puzzles, movies, and books that can be used without wifi.  Often flights will have movies, many do not.  I have been on an airline that has an app that you can upload, full of in-flight entertainment.

6)  Use your headphones.

I have mentioned noise-canceling headphones previously, the key to relaxing and enjoying your flight: music, movies, podcasts, or just plain silence. 

7)  Grab a drink and relax.

For many years of my life, I was unable to enjoy an adult beverage and relax on a flight.   Times have changed.  These fun little Cocktail Kits from Amazon Prime have been a game-changer.  Pack a couple and enjoy a Champagne Cocktail, Old Fashioned, Moscow Mule, or Margarita.  Not three or four, as alcohol can contribute to dehydration.  Just one, maybe two, and chill for a while.

8)  Snacktime.

Let’s face it; airline food isn’t the best, and lately, there is a cost, so pack light and healthy snacks to keep hunger at bay. Make sure your snacks will pass through TSA. Be aware that many people have food allergies, particularly nut allergies. These can be severe enough to trigger a reaction even with inhalation. Please try to avoid this type of snack.

9)  Hydrate.

Purchase water after TSA is done with their interrogation.  The tap water in flight is not drinkable.  The flight attendant will often bring bottled water in flight, as well.

10) Thoughtful things to do.

• What are you grateful for? Jot it down. Gratitude is a wonderful thing.
• Goal setting: Write down five goals for your travels. Or your life.
• Work on your travel journal. Find inspiration here.
• Write a travel poem, a letter to your mom, or a letter to your future self.

Thoughtful things to do on your flight back home.

• Journal about five favorites and five not so favorites of your travels.
• Purchase postcards from your travels and fill them out on the flight back. I know it's old fashioned, but people still love to get personal snail mail.
• Write a "best things to do" blog post.
• Edit your photos.
• Plan your next adventure.

11)  Things to do to pass the time if you're really bored.

• Go through your smartphone photos; edit, create albums and delete unnecessary photos.
• Clean up your apps and your contact list.
• Get out those wipes and clean your phone.
• Make a list of things you do to make it through a long haul flight, and share it with me.

12)  Take a nap.

Bring a neck pillow, eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones (the teenager calls them "family-canceling headphones") for a nice comfortable, quiet nap.

13)  Use a sleep aid if you wish.

I do not do this nowadays because I have the husband and kids in tow.  I have, however, taken a sleep aid on a flight in the past, and it was awesome! Talk to your doctor about a prescription if you think a sleep aid would be helpful.

14)  Use chapstick and moisturizer in flight.

Those cabins are dehydrating for your skin, too.

15) A little spa treatment, why not?

A quick spa treatment with a face mask and under-eye strips. Pamper yourself without going to the spa.

16)  Keep it clean.

Pack hand sanitizer and/or antibacterial wipes. And use them!

17) Learn local language basics for your destination.

18)  Stretch and mobilize.

Get up and stretch. Walk around, after the seatbelt sign is off, of course. On shorter flights, this may not be acceptable, but on longer flights, it is a must.

Do not sit through the entire flight without mobilizing. This goes for any long haul travel, by airplane, train or car.  Immobilization for long periods of time such as long haul travel can put you at risk for developing a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT).

How to avoid venous thrombotic events (DVT/PE) related to long travel.

~As a Hematology Nurse Practitioner for many years, I have seen patients who have developed a Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) after a long haul flight (a flight four hours or more). Although the risk is quite small, this can happen to even the fittest traveler.

~There are confounding risk factors including obesity, tobacco abuse, having a cast or recent orthopedic surgery, oral contraceptives, pregnancy, personal or family history of DVT or other thrombotic related events.  There are some genetic mutations, often unknown, that can predispose a person to develop a DVT.

~DVT's are not a common occurrence, but it does warrant travel precautions. I always recommend to patients to drink plenty of water in flight. This assures that you have to get up several times to use the restroom thus increasing mobility in flight. Use this time to stretch your legs and remain out of that seat for a bit. Compression socks are good for prevention and comfort as well.

~For a healthy individual with none of the risk factors that I have listed above, simply staying hydrated and walking around the flight a few times should be enough for prevention. However, if you have any of the above risk factors, speak to your physician about further recommendations.

~OK, I am done with my nurse talk. However, if you wish to review the guidelines for the prevention of DVT in long-distance travel from the American Society of Hematology, this recent article will help.

Things to do on a long flight: what you need to pack for the long flight to keep everyone comfortable, entertained, and happy.

You need items for personal hygiene, entertainment, comfort, and sometimes you need a drink.

As you know, there are many things that you cannot carry on with you according to TSA guidelines.  These rules are forever changing.

*Here is a link to the TSA rules for what you cannot carry on an airplane with you. *

Travel necessities for your carry on bag for the long flight.

You won't be going anywhere if you leave these items behind. 

• Travel Documents/Passport
• Wallet
• Credit Card
• Cash
• Phone
• Pen (You will be happy you brought a pen when that immigration and customs form is passed around).

Check, double-check, and then check again.

Entertainment.

Entertainment needs differ from person to person.  Maybe there will be a movie that you have always wanted to see on your flight.  However, plan accordingly with other types of entertainment.

• Laptop or I pad (Upload a Movie or TV Series to Binge-Watch).
• Playlist of Music Podcasts On Your Smartphone.
• Earbuds/AirPods/Headphones.
• Book, Audible, or Kindle (or all three).
• Magazine.
• Don't Forget Your Phone Charger.
• Adult Coloring Book/Colored Pencils.
• Travel Journal.

Toiletries.

• Toothbrush/Toothpaste.
• Hair Brush/Hair Ties.
• Chapstick.
• Eye Drops.
• Hand Sanitizer.
• Disinfectant wipes.
• Deodorant.
• Moisturizer.
• Pharmacy (DIY Travel First Aid Kit).

Snacks.

• Water Bottle.
• Healthy Travel Snacks (protein bars, pretzels, popcorn, nuts if no allergies).
• Gum/Mints.

Comfort.

Physical and mental comfort during a long haul flight is my number one priority (behind safety, of course).

• Noise Cancelling Headphones.
• Blanket Scarf.
• Socks.
• Change of clothes.
• Other items that I have seen people use for comfort include a neck pillow, eye mask, and compression socks.
• I may bring a shot of Rum or order Champagne!
• And a Sheet Facial Mask with Cucumber Under Eye Mask for a Quick Spa Day.

🛩Long Haul Flight Survival Checklist Printable...Click Here.🛩

Things NOT to do on a long flight.

• Drink too much. Never good.
• Drink the water from the faucets. It is non-potable; this goes for ice, coffee, and tea.
• Wear contact lenses, too drying unless you pack rewetting eye drops.
• Stay in your seat the entire flight; this will increase your risk of DVT.
• Walk around barefoot. That's yuk!
• Become HANGRY. Keep grazing on your healthy snacks.

Now it is your turn.

What can I add to improve this list?

What other tried and true tricks or hacks do you have that make you love travel day?

I have serious comma problems. This post checked by Grammarly.