What To Do on a Long Flight – 20+ Survival Tips!

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A woman seated on an airplane looks out the window, with sunlight illuminating her face and hair.

Hello dear reader, and welcome to the ultimate long-haul flight survival guide! If you don’t know what to do on a long flight, this article has 16 answers!

I’ve been on multiple long-haul flights myself, but I also picked up advice from my fellow MissTourist teammates and other frequent travelers to bring you the most practical, actually efficient ideas on how to survive those long international flights!

The best part is that most of the tips are completely free of charge but can boost your comfort levels by a lot! From choosing the perfect seat to stretching exercises to clothing hacks, we’ve got so much to cover, so let’s dive right in!

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Don’t have time to read the whole article? These are the top 3 things to do on a long flight:

Download TV shows, podcasts, or YouTube videos to watch offline
Read a book
Explore the in-flight entertainment system

1. Download your favorite shows and watch them offline

A woman wearing headphones and glasses reads on a tablet in an airplane seat with a fold-down tray and an in-flight entertainment screen beside her.

A top survival tip for any long-haul flight is to prepare offline content for watching. You can go with the usual Netflix shows or download offline videos to watch from YouTube. Because who doesn’t have dozens of videos in their “Watch later” folder?

Now, if you’re not a YouTube Premium member, you won’t be able to download YT videos offline, but here’s the trick. You can sign up for a free trial a day before your trip and use it to save all the videos you want and watch on the flight! Just don’t forget to cancel the trial on time, or if you like the idea – keep using the product!

CHARGER TIP: Remember to charge ALL your devices before the flight! Most airlines will only have a single USB charger you can use, and they’re often too slow. Also, bring the strongest power bank you can afford to buy. It’ll be a lifesaver not only for the flight but also for the rest of your trip!

2. Read a book or listen to an audiobook

A woman with long dark hair reads a book while seated on an airplane with patterned seats.

Find a good book and devour it during the flight! There’s nothing I love more on a boring flight than to transport myself into another world with my imagination. Time goes by so fast! If you need inspiration for the best travel books, check out this article where I share my 19 favorite titles!

I usually bring my Kindle loaded with different books, so I can pick whatever I feel like reading most at the moment. But if you’re in the middle of a book you’re really hooked on, then you can just bring that!

Alternatively, if audiobooks are your thing, a long-haul flight is the perfect time to enjoy them! Just remember to download them for offline listening from whatever your preferred listening platform is!

3. Play games with your partner

Close-up of hands holding a gaming console with red controllers, displaying a game screen.

Long-haul flights can be a great time to connect with your partner or spend quality time with your family. Creative card or word games or even multiplayer games on the airplane’s entertainment system can make the time go fast, plus you’ll be doing stuff together.

If you have a Nintendo Switch, you can get some local multiplayer games (I know Mario Kart has this feature) and then play while you’re cruising! It’s worth checking if your airline has free Wi-Fi on board, in that case there won’t be any restrictions on Switch games you can play together!

4. Listen to your favorite podcast or music

A woman with short hair, wearing large headphones, relaxes with eyes closed in an airplane seat.

Ever since I discovered podcasts, I never go on a trip without downloading episodes on my phone. They require so little effort to use, plus you get to learn new things about topics you like. Honestly, I’m sometimes happy to board a flight only because I know I’ll get to listen to new podcast episodes uninterruptedly!

You can also create your personal music playlist for the flight and go with that. By the way, here at Miss Tourist, we’re a bunch of music lovers, we even created a special article where all of us shared our favorite travel playlists. Check it out here for more travel music inspo!

5. Explore the airplane’s entertainment program

An in-flight entertainment screen displaying a movie scene of two people sitting on a beach, with a window beside it.

Track your flight, watch movies, play games with random people from the plane, read a book, meditate, or listen to a podcast – these are only some of the things most airliners will include in their in-flight entertainment system!

More and more airliners (I know about Air France for sure) now offer free Wi-Fi packages on their long-haul flights, making entertainment possibilities even greater!

It’s super nice to have a screen at the back of a seat in front of you with all of these different entertainment options, but I wouldn’t rely on it 100%. It can happen that the very screen in front of you won’t work or that the sound coming from the earphones given to you by the crew is corrupted. If I had a dollar for every time this happened to me…

So you definitely need a plan B here. You want to have your own content for watching saved on your phone or tablet. Pretty much what I talked about in the 1st section!

6. Use the right products to secure good sleep

A woman with a sleep mask and neck pillow prepares to insert earplugs while seated on an airplane.

Sleeping on airplanes is hard. I always struggle to fall asleep on a plane. But I recommend you try to follow your normal bedtime routine and pack all your sleep items that you normally use and apply them before going to sleep.

But also, here are some sleeping aids that can help you snooze faster just in case:

Blackout eye mask
Ear plugs for noise cancellation, but also the new products (like EarPlanes) that also help with ear discomfort
Neck pillow, but try the alternative TRTL pillow instead for added comfort
Melatonin supplements
Guided meditations with apps like Calm

Now the big question with intercontinental flights is, when should you sleep? I’ve read multiple opinions, but most people recommend setting the time on your phone on your destination’s time and going to sleep when it’s nighttime over there.

PRO TIP: Some seasoned long-flight travelers advise adapting your sleep routine a week before the flight. If you’re flying East, try to fall asleep one hour later, and if you’re traveling West, go to bed an hour earlier every day. Try to go to bed as early or as late as your daily routine allows it.

7. Learn new things about your destination

A man in a blue suit uses a tablet while seated in a well-appointed airplane cabin.

Call me old school, but I love printed travel guides. Even if they’re outdated, they’re so practical for general information and learning about the history, culture, and significance of places you’re going to visit.

I remember spending hours reviewing my Georgia & Armenia Lonely Planet guide on my way to Tbilisi. I highlighted all of the attractions I wanted to see in Tbilisi and even found some great day trip ideas.

You can also save tons of content to read offline on your tablet or phone, download eBook guides of your destination, or just check the options in the airplane’s in-flight entertainment system. I loved watching 2-minute videos of all Turkish cities on my Turkish Airlines flight. They were really short and captivating, making for the fastest 30-40 minutes of the flight!

8. Practice your language skills

Close-up of a smartphone screen displaying the Duolingo app with the text "Duolingo - Learn Languages."

Close-up of a smartphone screen displaying the Duolingo app with the text

Here’s my favorite way to kill time on long-haul flights! As a language nerd by nature, I use every opportunity I get to practice my foreign language skills.

So, for example, if I’m traveling to France, I’ll always bring a book in French or download content to watch in French just to get used to using and seeing French again.

You can do the same for any language, regardless of your level. If you’re a beginner in Spanish traveling to Madrid, download short YouTube videos with lessons or cartoons to watch offline or play language games (I know some airlines like British Airways have these games as part of their in-flight entertainment system).

Download Duolingo, Babbel, Anki, or any other language-learning app you find useful and play with it until you get bored!

Finally, if your neighbor happens to be a native speaker of the language you’re learning, use the opportunity to say hi in their language and get some speaking practice right there!

9. Try some stretching & chair yoga

An elderly woman stretches her arms while sitting on an airplane, using a neck pillow for support.

Stretching and moving around is great for circulation, especially if you’re traveling with a chronic condition. Do light stretches or even practice chair yoga, it’ll do wonders for your spine and neck.

I’ve cherry-picked my 3 favorite stretching exercises you can try to prevent your body from aching during long flights:

Lower back stretch: Sit up and place your right hand on your left knee and the left hand on the armrest. Slowly twist your spine to the left, breathe, and hold for 10 seconds. Switch sides and repeat.
Figure four stretch: Bend one knee and place the ankle of another leg on top of the bent knee. Bend forward slightly to stretch your back and hip. Hold for 10 seconds and switch legs.
Neck stretch: Place one hand on your head, then slowly bend your ear to your shoulder while sitting straight up. Keep in position for 10 seconds, breathe slowly, and then switch hands and sides.

PRO TIP: Blow-up ottomans can make your legs more comfortable on a long-haul flight! You can blow one up inside the plane and place it under your legs. Having your legs raised for some time will boost your circulation, strain your muscles, and reduce swelling.

10. Dress comfortably

A woman with long hair sits comfortably by the airplane window, smiling and looking outside.

One thing I’m annoyed the most when I think about long-haul flights are those periods of time when you’re feeling hot, then cold, then hot, then cold, on repeat. Regardless of the season you’re traveling in, you’re almost guaranteed to feel cold in the cabin at some point, and that’s why you must bring warm clothes.

I recommend layered clothes with natural materials like cotton that’ll feel both warm and comfortable. Our content manager, Kathryn, never boards a long flight (and she’s a pro in them) without a hot water bottle, and I thought this was such a useful tip to share.

You can bring an empty hot water bottle and ask the flight attendants to fill it up for you during the flight whenever you’re feeling cold. Also, in general, just a regular water bottle flask is great to have. You can get water refills anytime you want, not only during service!

Anyways, back to clothes. Try not to wear anything that requires a belt. Think of your most comfortable outfit (maybe just not pajamas) and bring that! I also love bringing an extra outfit to change after I arrive at my destination or during a stopover. This also gives you an extra piece of clothing to wear in case your luggage is delayed.

I also see a lot of people on flights with slip-on shoes, and I recently started traveling with them as well. It raises the comfort level by a lot!

NOTE: If you have circulation problems, you may want to get compression socks!

PRO TIP: Not really related to clothing, but consider a fanny pack for long-haul flights. It’s super convenient to have all your essential items at hand’s reach without having to open the overhead compartment all the time to get your earplugs, a USB, or other small items.

11. Talk to your neighbor

A man and a woman seated next to each other in an airplane are engaged in a lively conversation, both smiling.

Let’s face it: no one loves long-haul flights. I’ve never met a person who’s actually excited to spend 10 or 15 hours on a plane, and we all get why. So, since we’re all in the same boat, we may as well use the opportunity to kill time together by connecting.

Now, I’m not saying go stuff your nose in your neighbor’s affairs and spam them the whole flight. But if an opportunity arises, you may both benefit from a small chat.

I remember offering some crackers to a lady sitting next to me on my long-haul flight, and before I knew it, we engaged in a soulful conversation and ended up sharing a taxi to the city center after we landed.

12. Try sudoku or other brain games

A close-up of a person solving a Sudoku puzzle with a pen.

I love brain games! They put me in a great mood and somehow freshen up my brain afterward, which is something we all need on a long-haul flight.

My favorite brain game must be sudoku. You can buy sudoku magazines at most airports or just download an offline app (just search for Sudoku offline in the App Store and pick whichever you like best).

You can also do crossword puzzles or relaxing brain games like Inbento! Whatever works best for you and can keep your attention for some time will do!

13. Drink plenty of water

A woman in a private airplane cabin pours water from a bottle into a glass, smiling.

Dehydration is so common during long-haul flights. Being exposed to the super dry air for so long can make you feel even more tired and drowsy. That’s why you need to stay hydrated throughout the flight, even when you don’t feel like drinking water.

Like I mentioned above, bring your own water flask and just ask the flight attendants for refills when needed. If they have some ice, you can add that too and have cold water at all times!

I recently started taking electrolytes (a good U.S. brand is Liquid I.V.) and a moisturizer for my hands and lips during flights. All these little things make you feel more comfortable and fresh in-flight, and they’re an absolute game changer!

14. Choose the right seat for you

A pair of empty airplane seats with a window view of the sky and clouds.

Choosing the right seat can make all the difference during your long-haul flight! Sure, most airlines have larger seat room on transcontinental flights, but if you’re really tall, you may want to check how much leg room you’ll have beforehand.

PRO TIP: You can use the SeatGuru website to check seat measurements for your flight!

Also, when it comes to aisle vs. window seat, this is an eternal debate. Choosing a window seat will give you an extra place to lay your head on, but then if you need to use the toilet frequently, you’d be bothering your neighbors more often.

On the other hand, if you’re seated by the aisle, you’ll have some more leg room and easier access to the toilet, but you may be woken up from sleep by a random person sitting by the window who needs to use the toilet.

Sometimes, it may be possible for the flight attendant to assign you a new seat if you don’t like yours. But you’ll have to wait for the whole plane to board first so the attendant can check if there are any seats left.

15. Order your special meal beforehand

A man eating a meal from a tray table on an airplane, with various dishes in small containers.

This is a great perk that not many people know about, but for most long-haul flights, you can actually pre-order your meal!

Basically if your ticket includes a meal (and with a long haul flight, it most certainly will except with some budget airliners), you can pre-order an allergen-free, kosher, or just any meal they have available.

Now, I always bring extra food on board anyway because I don’t want to depend on flight attendants’ schedules every time I’m hungry. Bring healthy snacks of your choice (I love dried fruits and nuts since they’re compact and won’t overheat/spoil) and snack on them whenever you feel like it!

However, I advise against anything that’s too high in sodium because it’ll dehydrate you much faster. And try to refrain from coffee and alcohol the day before and during the flight as it’ll speed up the dehydration process as well.

Water is your best friend on long-haul flights!

16. Write in a travel journal

Person planning a trip with a notebook that says "Let's Travel," a passport, travel tickets, a camera, and a computer keyboard on a wooden desk. Other items include nail polish, and a glass with a yellow drink.

I noticed that my imagination and motivation for writing in a travel journal are better when I’m on a plane or a train. It’s the perfect time to jot down thoughts and new memories, leaving more free time for when you arrive at your destination.

Even if you’re not into travel journaling, you may want to give it a try – you never know, you may end up loving it! I found this awesome travel journal on Amazon if you’re just starting out!

We have a special article on the best travel journal prompts, you can check them out below to get some inspiration:

Final thoughts on what to do on a long flight

A woman with a bun and glasses looks out the airplane window, with a wing and clouds visible outside.

That’s all, dear traveler! I’ve shared all my best tips on what to do on a long-haul flight. I hope you find them useful!

Honestly, there isn’t a magical solution to make a long flight all fun and adventure, but at least there are at least 16 things you can do to make time go faster! If you can spend most of the time sleeping on board, I say go for it!

Also remember to be patient, drink plenty of water, and dress comfortably so your time in-flight is easier to bear. The reward will surely follow after you land!

Do you have any other ideas or survival tips for long flights? Which tip did you find the most helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Travel far and wise,

Darija

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