Whether you’re a businessman/woman going on a business trip, or a regular person desiring a vacation with exciting new adventures, food, culture, and people, sometimes long-haul flights are unavoidable. However, they don’t have to be painfully boring and intolerable.
Long flights can be very uncomfortable, and there are several health-related concerns attributed to them as proof, such as deep vein thrombosis as a result of sitting for long periods and dehydration due to low cabin humidity. However, with proper planning and fun activities, you can not only distract yourself from the long trip but also enjoy yourself for the duration of your flight. Here are some of the best ways to pass the time on a long-haul flight:
Play Fun Games
One of the most effective ways to pass the time on a long trip is to play games that you enjoy, especially if you’re traveling with friends or family. Also, if you’ve just made a new friend on the plane, you can share the experience with them.
Portable video games and pocket board games (magnetic) like chess, checkers, backgammon, and scrabble can be easily packed and taken aboard the plane. Furthermore, an added advantage of these board games is that you don’t need wifi to play them. Some airlines may provide wifi to their passengers. Therefore, you can enjoy several types of online games including online video games, the choice is yours.
Watch a Movie
These days, it may be difficult to balance a demanding job and being an avid fan of movies and tv series. However, a long-haul flight creates a perfect opportunity to catch up on movies and tv shows that you have been missing out on.
Generally, airlines now have a good selection of movies to watch, however, you can also download the movies or series you like before your flight and watch them during your trip.
Catch Up on Books
If you enjoy good storytelling, you can bring books written by your favorite authors aboard the plane and read them during the long trip. However, if you’d rather listen to the story than read it, you can download the audiobook version of your preferred book. In addition, you will also need noise-canceling headphones with a backup power source for a fully immersive experience.
Make a New Friend
Some people have the best time of their lives when they’re interacting with other people, forming new relationships and new bonds. A long-haul flight is one of the best places to meet new people because everyone on the plane is a traveler with the potential for knowledge about places and cultures you know little to nothing about. It is certainly a good way to widen your horizons.
To quote Patrick Lindsay, “Every new friend is a new adventure, the start of more memories”. If you’re going to be confined in a space with hundreds of strangers for a lengthy period, why not make a new friend? You never know where that road might lead.
Sleep
The last, but certainly not the least of the best ways to pass the time on a long-haul flight. The majority of people today do not meet the sleep requirement their body needs due to their jobs, social activities, e.t.c. If you fit into this category, you should consider making use of this period to catch up on some much-needed sleep. An eye mask and/or earplugs might help keep out noises and distractions, thereby helping you sleep better.
