Trips start off with extreme levels of excitement. Packing the suitcase is an adventure, arriving at the airport is a thrill, getting on a plane… not that exciting.
Being confined in one position for several number of hours is enough to make anyone yawn with monotony. The stuffiness, the unusual sounds, the anticipation to reach your destination… we get the feeling.
So, we gathered some tips on what makes their flights bearable, possibly even enjoyable. The trick is to have several entertainment options at your disposal. See which one works for you and have a safe flight!
1. PLAY WITH BOARD GAMES
They are the ultimate distractions that gave 90s kids a fantastic childhood, hence why they’re a great entertainment option when stuck in one seat, cruising 10,000 metres above ground. Carry travel-size Ludo, Yahtzee, Scrabble, UNO or download the games on your phone – pick your weapon and get ready for a laugh.
2. ENJOY A TV SERIES / MOVIE
Boredom can never settle in when there’s Meryl Streep singing the most iconic ABBA songs in Mamma Mia or when Vin Diesel puts on a heist in Fast Five. Download the latest Stranger Things episodes you missed out on and the trip is over in a blink of an eye.
3. CLEAN OUT YOUR PHONE
Plug in the power bank and wipe out unnecessary data to make new storage on your phone. Delete duplicate and weird selfies, remove contacts of people you don’t know, re-organise the apps and clear out any dirt that found its way in your phone case.
4. SCOUR THE PAGES OF A MAGAZINE
Give pinterest a break and head for the old-fashioned planning method – magazine reading. Grab Architectural Digest to fuel some ideas for your latest renovation or Wedding Style to get a glimpse into the latest matrimonial trends. Your fast-paced life might not allow you to do this at home, so why not make good use of the time?
Magazine reading is a hobby that has lost some of its attire following the popularity of mobile devices. Whether you want to give your phone some downtime or enjoy new reading material, head to the stationery and pick 2 publications.
5. GET LOST IN A STORY
No bookworm has ever boarded a plane without a novel or a cliff-hanger tucked in their travelling bag. Sifting the pages of a book gives you much satisfaction and the story leaves you occupied for hours.
6. ADMIRE VIEWS FROM YOUR WINDOW SEAT
Keeping children occupied on a flight is a challenge. Why not keep them occupied by spotting different cloud shapes? Alternatively, keep them entertained with landscape change watching and look down on new countries.
7. SNACK THE HOURS AWAY
Food truly makes the world a better place. Just like you do when you’re lounging on the sofa at home, pick your favourite snacks at the airport lounge and munch on some savoury or sweet goodness. Calories don’t count when you’re flying, right? Alternatively, satisfy your healthy cravings by preparing a fresh meal at home. Guaranteed to make your flight neighbours jealous!
8. PLAN YOUR ITINERARY
Unless you are a planning freak, spending hours sitting down is the best time to organise your travel schedule. Purchase a guide book and get motivated by the new places you’re about to see.
9. ORGANISE YOUR CALENDAR
Plan out what you need to do when you get back – from meeting up with family members to share souvenirs, to booking a much-needed visit to the hairdresser.
10. PLAY SUDOKU OR CROSSWORD
Do some mind spinning and beat your latest record. They are great entertainment activities to exercise the brain and boost the fun with your seating partner, too.
11. DO SOME WORK / DRAFT SOME EMAILS
When was the last time you had so much time to kill? A flight can help you cut down your to-do list and schedule some emails to send when you land and plug into some wifi.
12. LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC
Rock, pop, instrumental, heavy metal… whatever floats your boat. Best to have some calming music in case you want to block the noises around you and dose off. We have suggestions.
13. DISCOVER A NEW LANGUAGE
Heading to a new country is the best incentive to dig up phrases in another language. Your good mornings will be sublime, your yes and no on point, and your where’s the bathroom will surely come in handy at a restaurant.
14. WRITE POSTCARDS
There’s a big possibility these mini album keepers are going extinct, so give some a new lease on life and send a couple to friends and family. Just think about the surprised looks on their faces when they see it amidst their bills.
15. DRAW SOMETHING
If you’ve been gifted with an artistic hand, use that talent to concentrate on a fun activity and release the stress that builds up with being locked in a small space.
16. TAKE A COURSE
Improve your career prospects by catching up on some research. Download a cheap course before you head to the airport and spend the hours enriching your knowledge.
17. CHAT UP WITH A COMPLETE STRANGER
Sitting hip-to-hip for hours is a definite icebreaker. Learn about where your next-door passenger comes from, what they do and why they’re heading to the destination. You may find that chatting away will reduce the monotony of a flight. Watch out for odd looks. Your neighbour might not appreciate you interfering with their peace and quiet.
18. TAKE A COUPLE OF STEPS
If your legs get jammed when sitting down for too long, give those limbs some exercise by walking up and down the aisle, even if just to head to the bathroom. Reserve a seat at the end of row, so you won’t bother your neighbours.
19. PEOPLE WATCHING
There’s no logical explanation why some people enjoy what other fellow passengers are doing, which film they are watching or how weird their sleeping face looks. At the same time, there’s no harm in this – so if it helps you beat the flight boredom, enjoy the views.
20. SLEEP
If all else fails, put a blindfold on to shut down bright lights and catch some z’s. Watch out for the occasional snore, you wouldn’t want to bother other passengers.