What else can you do on a lengthy plane trip aside from gaming at Casino Moons? With some clever planning and a dash of creativity, the extended flights can become more diverse and even productive.
Play
Unleash your inner gamer by bringing along handheld consoles, mobile apps, or engaging in classic in-flight games like Sudoku, crossword puzzles, or word games.
Watch
Create a personal cinema experience by loading up your device with your favorite movies or binge-worthy TV series to keep yourself entertained throughout the flight.
For the latest recommendations on what to watch, I suggest visiting Netflix, Apple TV, or The New York Times Arts section. They regularly update their reviews, articles, and lists like “What to Watch” or “Critics’ Picks,” providing insights into the best and most noteworthy content available for viewing across different streaming platforms and networks.
Read
Dive into captivating novels, magazines, or e-books that you’ve been longing to read but haven’t found the time for. A long flight provides the perfect opportunity to indulge in a good book.
We recommend visiting The New York Times Book Review section or their site to find the most current and updated recommendations for the best reads. They often feature lists like “Best Sellers” or “Editors’ Picks” across different genres, offering insights into the most popular and recommended books at any given time.
Listen
Stimulate your mind with interesting podcasts or audiobooks covering various topics like history, true crime, comedy, or personal development.
There are top 5 great apps available for finding and listening to podcasts:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Google Podcasts
- Pocket Casts
- Overcast
Work
Use this uninterrupted time to tackle pending work tasks, respond to emails, or plan upcoming projects. Ensure you have all necessary documents and access to offline tools.
Write
Take advantage of the peace and quiet to write, whether it’s journaling about your travel experiences, jotting down ideas, or starting that novel you’ve always wanted to write.
While there might not be a plethora of well-known instances where entire books were written solely on planes, there are notable cases where writers have found inspiration or penned portions of their work during flights. Here are a couple of interesting instances:
- Arthur Hailey – “Airport”: Arthur Hailey, the author of the novel “Airport,” famously wrote parts of his book during transatlantic flights. “Airport,” published in 1968, was a bestseller and revolved around the events at a fictional Chicago airport. Hailey’s experience as a writer and his observations during his travels contributed to the vivid depiction of the airport setting in his novel.
- Ian Fleming – James Bond Novels: While not entirely written on planes, Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, reportedly developed some of his ideas for Bond’s adventures during his travels. Fleming’s experiences and observations during his frequent flights, particularly as a former intelligence officer, might have influenced the exotic settings and thrilling scenarios found in his Bond novels.
Learn
Utilize online resources or language apps to learn a new language or pick up a new skill, like drawing, coding, or playing a musical instrument.
Meditate
Bring calmness to your journey by practicing meditation or mindfulness exercises. Various apps offer guided sessions to help you relax and unwind amidst the chaos of air travel.
Rest
Recharge your body by getting some quality sleep or simply resting. Use an eye mask, earmuffs, or a neck pillow for added comfort during your flight.
Socialize
Initiate a chat with your seatmate or those nearby. If you’re unsure how to start, there’s literature specifically designed to teach you how to do it.
Here are a few books that offer guidance on starting conversations with strangers and improving social interactions:
- How to Talk to Anyone
- The Fine Art of Small Talk
- Talk to Strangers
Evolution of Air Travel
As fascinating as it is to pass the time on a plane journey, the history of commercial air travel holds its own intrigue. Did you know that the Wright brothers’ first successful powered flight in 1903, which lasted a mere 12 seconds, laid the foundation for modern air travel? Fast forward to today, where passengers soar across continents in hours, a feat unimaginable a century ago.
Furthermore, the decision to open up transatlantic flights in the 1950s revolutionized international travel, connecting distant corners of the world and fostering cultural exchange on an unprecedented scale. These pivotal moments in aviation history transformed the way we explore and experience the world, making long plane journeys a crucial part of our global interconnectedness.
However, embarking on a long plane journey can feel daunting, especially when facing hours of confinement in a narrow seat. With our ten stimulating activities, you’ll make your long-haul flight fly by in no time.