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:

1. Apple Podcasts
2. Spotify
3. Google Podcasts
4. Pocket Casts
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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:

1. How to Talk to Anyone
2. The Fine Art of Small Talk
3. 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.

The post 10 Fun Activities for an Epic Long Plane Ride appeared first on Unbelievable.

Belgium.

With a Bloomberg resilient score of 75.7, that European country ranks high when it comes to safety, peace, and quality of life. The US travelers, you’ll have to fill out a passenger locator form 48 hours before arriving in Belgium regardless of how you get there. Beyond that, Belgium has few restrictions, as long as you are fully vaccinated if you have proof of vaccination, and a negative COVID test isn’t required. However, those who don’t have a vaccination card will need a negative COVID test and an essential travel certificate. The unvaccinated will also have to quarantine for a week, but the vaccinated can immediately get to viewing the art of architecture and shopping for Belgian chocolate without any curfew.

Singapore.

In Asia countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and especially China ranks low on the Bloomberg COVID resilience list. Singapore however, rise 17 spots in April 2022, cracking the top 10 with a score of 76.2. This surge came as several restrictions were lifted, namely, pre-departure COVID tests are no longer mandatory if you’re fully vaccinated. If you’re traveling with children under 12, they don’t need to be vaccinated at entering Singapore. While non-vaccinated teens and adults must abide by a seven day stay home notice the vaccinated don’t have to worry about quarantining. If you’re interested in getting vaccinated while visiting, shots are available for US citizens. Its flight capacity score isn’t the highest but once you’re there, Singapore has Asia’s fewest COVID travel restrictions.

Saudi Arabia

Of all the countries to make balloon begs COVID resilience top 10 Saudi Arabia is the most prone to lockdowns, its universal health care is also much lower than one would desire. While that may alienate some travelers, the number of COVID cases is supposedly scarce. According to Johns Hopkins University, there are only nine COVID cases monthly per 100,000 people. For US travelers, Saudi Arabia has resumed visa on arrival entry. Although you won’t need any negative COVID test or have to undergo a health screening, visitors need proof of vaccination. If you’re not vaccinated, you won’t have much luck getting on a flight unless you’re under 12. Getting there requires several steps but with a 76.2 resilient score, Saudi Arabia has handled the pandemic better than most countries, although due to its form of government, this information should always be taken with a massive grain of salt.

Switzerland

When it comes to COVID resilience, Switzerland gets a gold star. More specifically, it gets a 77.6 resilience score, as well as high marks for universal health care and human development. If you’ve been vaccinated in the past 270 days, you’re free to explore these European countries, vast lakes, and mountain peaks. Just remember to bring proof of vaccination and a US passport valid for no less than three months. You can even go digital with the COVID certificate, curfews, airport health screenings, and quarantines are required. While that’s great news for vaccinated individuals, those who haven’t been vaccinated won’t be permitted to enter the country. Although not open to everyone, visitors will find most businesses and public places with the carpet rolled out.

Netherlands

Accumulating a 78.2 resilient score, the Netherlands excels of all others on Bloomberg’s list in one department’s vaccinated travel routes. This country is quite accessible with a high number of quarantine-free routes, both incoming and departing. Renews reported in March 2020 to the visitors aren’t required to provide a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination to enter with infections and hospitalizations going down the Dutch government has moved away from enforcing COVID measures. While masks are advised for public transportation they’re not mandatory. The country is still on top of testing though, making affordable rapid tests available at pharmacies and stores. The European entry ban may present issues the song for the Netherlands is mostly back in action.

Sweden

Like Singapore, Sweden skyrocketed or balloon begs COVID resilience list in April 2022. Going from the low 20’s to 5. Its increased resilience score, which currently sits at 78.3 can be largely attributed to its shifts in community mobility locked down the severity, and vaccinated travel routes. Since the beginning of April, all travel bans from other countries have been lifted in Sweden. Upon arriving you don’t have to show a vaccination card or a negative COVID test. It’s strongly recommended that anyone with COVID symptoms remain at home and not the unvaccinated. Be cautious, vaccinated or unvaccinated though there isn’t much stopping you from booking your tickets often on a plane and seeing the Swedish sites. So yeah, it’s sweet to be in Sweden.

Denmark

Known for often ranking high on the Global Peace Index, Denmark also made Bloomberg’s COVID resilience list with a 79.9 score. In April 2022 Denmark became the first country to put the brakes on its vaccination program. While this might give some skeptical travelers a paws bullet sobo of the National Board of Health says we are in a good place, citing the stable hospital admission rates. Denmark certainly hasn’t skimped on vaccinations in the past, with 226.9 doses per 100 people being administered. Although vaccinations are inclined to resume in the fall, this hole reflects the country’s lack of COVID restrictions. According to a statement from the Ministry of Health of Denmark, the last COVID-19 entry restriction was lifted on March 29, 2022

United Arab Emirates

While the UAE’s resilient score comes in high at 80.6, it ranks lower on the Bloomberg list in terms of universal healthcare. When it comes to vaccines though, the UAE topped Bloomberg charts with 265.9 doses per 100 people. With promising numbers and vaccinated travel routes, GDP growth, and human development, you can see why the UAE places are among the most resilient countries concerning COVID. Of course, COVID isn’t the only thing to consider when traveling to the UAE. As of April 2022, it’s been advised that people reconsider traveling to the UAE due to elevated risks of missile or drone attacks. If you do visit, however, the unvaccinated will need to take a PCR test, 48 hours ahead while the vaccinated just need a vaccination card.

Ireland

Sporting a resilient score of 80.8 and just edging out UAE on Bloomberg’s list both countries have handled COVID commendably without drastically disturbing economic or social growth. Upon arriving at the Emerald aisle, you won’t be expected to show a negative PCR test or vaccination certificate. Although Ireland previously asked visitors to fill out a passenger locator form, outsiders are no longer obliged to do so. Whether you want to kick back at a pub with the Pines or explore the mossy mountains, Island is one of the most laid-back countries you can be in right now. That’s not to say COVID Safety shouldn’t still be on your mind. But it’s nice not to be reminded about the pandemic around every turn.

Norway

For several years in a row, Norway has ranked at the top of the human development index which takes life expectancy education, and income into account. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Norway dominated balloon Vegas COVID resilience top 10 for two consecutive months. In addition to rocking an AC 3.1 resilience score, Norway has proven consistently accommodating regarding vaccinated travel routes, universal health care, and especially human development, where a lot of countries are just starting to open buckle. The Land of the Midnight Sun began lifting travel restrictions in February 2022. People are free to visit without testing, self-isolating, or proof of vaccination to stay safe and have fun and remind themselves what it was like before the pandemic started in the illuminating Norwegian countryside.

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Don’t panic if you have a long wait at the airport. If your connection is to be made at one of the airports that we will tell you about, get ready for the fact that you will not want to leave.

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