25 Genuinely Useful Things to Do on a Long Flight (Plus the Carry-On Essentials That Make Them Better)

There's a moment on every long haul flight, somewhere around the four-hour mark, when you've already watched one film, eaten a questionable chicken or pasta, and the novelty of being 35,000 feet in the air has well and truly worn off. The seatbelt sign is on, your legs are restless, and you've still got six hours to go. Sound familiar?

Long flights don't have to feel like an endurance test, though. With a little bit of planning and the right things in your carry-on, those hours in the air can actually become some of the most productive, restful, or even enjoyable time you'll have all trip. Whether you're heading off on a holiday you've been dreaming about for months or powering through a transatlantic work trip, how you spend the flight sets the tone for everything that follows.

Here's everything worth doing on a long flight, plus the carry-on essentials that make each one genuinely better.

How to Survive a Long Flight Without Losing Your Mind

Before diving into specific activities, a quick word on the overall approach. The secret to surviving a long flight isn't cramming every hour with entertainment. It's about having variety. Breaking the flight into blocks of activity, rest, and something in between keeps the hours moving and stops that glazed-over cabin fever from setting in.

Think of it as a loose schedule rather than a rigid plan: a film, then a stretch, then some reading, then a nap, then a snack and a podcast. Mixing it up is what makes a twelve-hour flight feel like six.

Entertainment That Actually Holds Your Attention

1. Download Films and Series Before You Board

Relying on the seatback screen is a gamble. Sometimes the selection is brilliant; sometimes it's a film you've already seen twice and a documentary about cargo ships. Download a few films or a series you've been meaning to watch onto your tablet or phone before you leave home. Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV all let you download for offline viewing, so there's no excuse.

The essential: A good pair of noise-cancelling headphones transforms the experience completely. Cabin noise disappears, dialogue becomes crisp, and you might actually hear the soundtrack. Worth every penny for long haul travel.

2. Listen to a Podcast Series

A long flight is the perfect excuse to start a podcast series you've been saving. True crime, history, comedy, interviews; whatever you're into, download a few hours' worth and let the time disappear. Podcasts are brilliant for that in-between state where you're too tired to concentrate on a film but not quite ready to sleep.

3. Start an Audiobook

Similar to podcasts, but even better for truly losing yourself. Download an audiobook through Audible or your library app before you fly. Something absorbing enough to make you forget you're in seat 34C with someone's elbow in your ribs.

4. Create a Playlist for Each Phase of the Flight

This is a small thing that makes a surprising difference. Put together a “takeoff” playlist, a “cruising” playlist for working or reading, and a “landing soon” playlist to wake yourself up. Music genuinely shifts your mood, and having the right soundtrack for each phase of the flight makes the whole experience feel more intentional.

5. Play Offline Games

Download a few games that work without Wi-Fi before you fly. Puzzle games like crosswords, sudoku, or word games are perfect for passing twenty minutes without needing to commit to anything longer. If you're travelling with someone, bring a pack of cards; they weigh nothing and provide surprisingly good entertainment at altitude.

Things to Do on a Long Flight: Productivity and Personal Projects

6. Journal About the Trip Ahead

There's something lovely about sitting down with a notebook before a trip and writing about what you're looking forward to, restaurants you've booked, things you want to see, or even just how you're feeling. It's a low-effort, genuinely enjoyable way to build anticipation, and you'll appreciate having those thoughts captured when you look back on it later.

7. Plan Your Itinerary in Detail

If your trip isn't fully planned yet, use the flight to get organised. Download offline maps, make a list of restaurants you want to try, and figure out your transport from the airport. Arriving with a rough plan means less stress on day one, especially if you're landing exhausted.

8. Read a Physical Book

There's a reason this is a classic. No charging required, no screen glare, no distractions. A good book and a long flight are a natural pairing. Choose something you've been meaning to read but haven't had the time for; that's exactly what these hours are for.

9. Write

Whether it's a blog post, a letter, some creative writing, or simply getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper, flights are excellent for writing. Something about the lack of internet and the white noise of the cabin clears the mental clutter. Bring a notebook or work on your laptop; either way, you might be surprised how much flows out when there's nothing else competing for your attention.

10. Learn Something New

Download a language app like Duolingo for offline use and spend thirty minutes learning a few phrases in the language of wherever you're heading. Even a handful of words makes a difference to how you experience a place, and it's a satisfying way to use time that would otherwise disappear into scrolling.

Rest and Self-Care at 35,000 Feet

11. Actually Sleep

This sounds obvious, but most people don't set themselves up for sleep properly on a plane. The difference between “I'll just close my eyes” and genuinely good sleep comes down to preparation.

The essentials: A decent neck pillow (memory foam, not the cheap inflatable kind), a bamboo eye mask, and earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. These three things together make sleeping on a plane feel almost civilised. Add a pair of warm socks for when you kick your shoes off, and you're closer to comfortable than you'd think possible in economy.

12. Do a Skincare Routine

Cabin air is brutally dry, and a long flight can leave your skin feeling like sandpaper. Packing a small skincare kit for the flight makes a noticeable difference. Cleanse with micellar water or facial wipes, apply a hydrating serum, and follow with a rich moisturiser. A lip balm and face mask round it off nicely. Arriving with skin that doesn't look like you've been in a pressurised tube for ten hours feels like a small victory.

13. Stretch and Move

Every couple of hours, get up and move. Walk to the back of the plane, do some gentle stretches in the galley area, and roll your ankles while seated. It's not just about comfort; it's important for circulation on long flights. Set a reminder on your phone if you need to. Your body will thank you when you land.

14. Meditate or Breathe

Download a meditation app like Calm or Headspace before you fly and use a guided session to genuinely switch off. Even ten minutes of focused breathing can ease the tension that builds up from sitting in a cramped seat. It's a surprisingly effective way to reset mid-flight.

Food, Drink, and the Snack Strategy

15. Bring Your Own Snacks

Airline meals are unpredictable, and the timing doesn't always suit when you're actually hungry. Pack a selection of good snacks: protein bars, nuts, dried fruit, dark chocolate, or whatever keeps you satisfied. Having something decent to eat when you want it, rather than when the trolley appears, makes a bigger difference to comfort than most people realise.

16. Stay Hydrated (Properly)

Bring an empty water bottle through security and fill it before boarding. Cabin humidity sits at around 10 to 20 percent, which is drier than most deserts, and dehydration makes everything worse: jet lag, fatigue, dry skin, headaches. Aim to drink more water than you think you need and go easy on the coffee and alcohol, tempting as that free wine might be.

17. Treat Yourself to Something

If you've packed well and looked after yourself for most of the flight, there's nothing wrong with a glass of wine and a good film towards the end. Long haul travel is one of those situations where a small indulgence goes a long way.

The Social Side of Long Flights

18. Have a Real Conversation

If you're travelling with someone, a long flight is a rare stretch of uninterrupted time together. No phones buzzing, no errands to run, no children to collect. Use it. Talk about the trip, plan something for when you get home, or just enjoy the novelty of having each other's full attention.

19. Write Letters or Messages

There's something rather lovely about writing a letter or a long message to someone while you're suspended somewhere over the Atlantic. It's thoughtful, it passes the time beautifully, and the person who receives it will appreciate the effort.

20. People-Watch (Discreetly)

This one requires no equipment at all. Airports and planes are some of the best places in the world for people-watching. Where are they going? What's their story? It's idle entertainment, but it's oddly satisfying.

Practical Things That Make Everything Better

21. Organise Your Phone

Delete the apps you never use, organise your photos, clear your inbox, update your contacts. It's the kind of task that's genuinely useful but never feels urgent enough to do at home. A long flight gives you the perfect excuse.

22. Set Up Your Out-of-Office

If you're heading on holiday, use the flight to set up your out-of-office reply, tie up any last loose ends, and mentally close the door on work. Landing with everything sorted means you can actually switch off when you arrive.

23. Download Offline Maps

If you haven't already, download offline Google Maps for your destination before the Wi-Fi cuts out. Having maps that work without data is a small thing that saves a lot of stress when you're navigating a new city.

Long Flight Essentials: The Carry-On Packing List

Everything above works better when your carry-on is packed properly. Here's what genuinely earns its space in your bag on a long flight.

For comfort: A memory foam neck pillow, a silk or padded eye mask, earplugs, warm socks, and a lightweight blanket scarf that doubles as a layer if the cabin gets cold.

For entertainment: Noise-cancelling headphones (over-ear for quality, earbuds for sleeping), a fully charged tablet or e-reader, a physical book, a notebook and pen, and a pack of cards if you're travelling with company.

For self-care: Facial wipes or micellar water, a hydrating moisturiser, lip balm, hand cream, face mask, a toothbrush and travel toothpaste, and a small refillable water bottle.

For organisation: A travel document wallet that keeps your passport, boarding pass, and travel documents together, a portable charger (non-negotiable), and a small toiletries bag to keep everything contained.

For practicality: Tissues, a pen for landing cards, and a reusable bag for anything you accumulate during the flight.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: This is not related to being on an airplane, but please pack a spare pair of underwear and a change of clothes. My checked luggage has gone missing more than once on a long-haul flight, and I've been left at the other end with nothing. Gas station underwear is not something you ever want to experience if you can avoid it. Trust me on this.

The One Thing Most People Forget

A portable charger. It sounds basic, but running out of battery mid-flight when the seatback USB doesn't work (and they frequently don't) turns a comfortable flight into an uncomfortable one very quickly. Charge it the night before, throw it in your bag, and don't think about it again until you need it. And you will need it.

Final Thoughts on Long Haul Travel

Long flights are one of those things that feel daunting beforehand but are entirely manageable with a bit of thought. The trick is variety: mix entertainment with rest, productivity with indulgence, and give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for stretches in between. Pack smart, plan a loose schedule, and treat the journey as part of the experience rather than something to endure.

If you're planning a trip and want more inspiration, have a look through my travel section for destination guides and travel tips.