Oh, the perils of an airline journey! Seats that stick, loud passengers, and some child kicking the back of your chair! You always take a risk when flying, but it doesn’t have to be all bad.
Long-flight entertainment can be a savior between destinations, and there are many things you can do on a plane. From listening to music to making sure the kids are okay, here are some tips.
Engage Your Brain
Along with your body, time also flies when your brain is engaged! Puzzles and interactive games that take your mind off the journey can often result in what feels like missing time, like an alien abduction at 30,000 feet!
Games such as Spider Solitaire will whittle away the time like a sailor creating scrimshaw. Of course, there are other games for keeping your brain alive on the flight from hell! Nintendo brain training games, Sudoku, and simple word puzzles are entertaining.
Long Flight Entertainment with Music
As far as entertainment goes, it doesn’t get much bigger than music. The global music industry is massive, and we all have our personal preferences. Amazon Music alone has 82 million subscribers, and that’s not even the biggest platform.
You can find what you need to help you cope with Spotify and even YouTube. Amazon and Spotify are excellent for creating music playlists. However, YouTube has the distinct advantage of offering videos if that’s your thing.
The Joy of Video Games
Video games today are an excellent source of entertainment. Everything you can think of, no matter what you like, there is something for you. From extremely child-friendly cozy games to ultraviolet romps like GTA V, there’s no shortage.
Also, remote technology and handheld consoles mean you can play console and high-end PC games from anywhere. Given the size and scope of many AAA and popular titles, a long-haul flight can feel like a one-hour car ride!
How About a Conversation?
Did it ever occur to you to simply engage in polite conversation with someone? All the handheld goodness from your mobile devices can’t substitute human contact yet! Of course, you can have some fun with AI programs.
But you can break up the monotony of a flight’s entertainment by talking to people. This can be friends, family, strangers, and even the friendly cabin crew. Most people are happy to get along with others and pass the time with some stories and jokes.
Streaming and Long Flight Entertainment
The majority of people prefer to spend time watching passive entertainment such as movies and TV shows via streaming platforms. However, it can go wrong if you aren’t careful! Not being able to access your favorite platforms can be irritating, so here are some quick tips when flying:
- Ensure your device(s) is charged or that you have a cable for doing so.
- Have a plan for watching something beforehand so you aren’t overwhelmed.
- Decide on whether you want to binge a series or watch some movies.
- Be aware that others may see what you are watching, so keep it SFW!
- Invest in good quality and comfortable earbuds/phones designed for long usage.
- Ensure your mobile data access is fast enough to stream high-quality content.
- Install a VPN to access your account from different global territories.
Streaming is a pretty entertaining way to pass the time on a flight. But remember that it requires power! So don’t forget the right cables! Additionally, a plane isn’t a private place, so consider others when watching your device. The kids behind you don’t need to see that R-rated movie!
Get the Kids Settled First
Traveling with children can be magical or a nightmare. They can be stubborn, sleepy, and “hangry”! So, ensure you see to the needs of the children before even trying to settle yourself in for a flight and entertainment.
In many cases, the kids will just fall asleep if they are at toddler age and below. And older children will do their own thing. As for teenagers, they probably won’t engage! Even so, ensure everyone has what they need to keep busy, before getting out their own devices.
Take What’s On Offer from the Airline
In the event you don’t have any of your usual devices or entertainment items, you can see what’s on offer by the airline. Airlines today are much better at ensuring guests are settled and happy. Modern airlines typically offer movies and TV shows, although you may not see anything too recent!
However, you can see if there are any good audiobooks to settle with. You may also find a range of music. Some larger airlines and planes also have onboard shopping and bars!
Consider Long Flight Entertainment for the Kids
As mentioned, the kids can be a nightmare! Some might fall asleep, and others may want some entertainment. Airlines usually offer entertainment packs for the kids to keep them occupied and happy.
However, studies have found that, on average, children under 12 get bored just 50 minutes into a long-haul flight! So, a transatlantic departure could get a little hairy! Of course, children today enjoy their mobile devices just as much as adults, so don’t forget to bring these!
Get Some Rest Between Sessions
International flights can take a very long time to complete. Of course, entertainment is a huge help. But even as an adult, you can get bored and restless. Lack of sleep and travel stress doesn’t help.
So what can you do? You may start off a flight with some TV shows or a movie. Yet, it can get tiresome. Taking a rest, such as a nap, takes your eyes away from the screen and helps reset your brain a little. Twelve hours of TV, movies, and games is a bit much for anyone!
Summary
Keeping your brain engaged with puzzle games is a recommended long flight entertainment method that helps pass the time. Streaming TV and movies on your favorite platforms will definitely help. However, you must remember to take breaks to pass time and reset your mind.
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