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I recently flew from the US to Japan, and today I am flying back. The thought of being on a plane for so long made me anxious, so I had to come up with strategies to make me feel more comfortable on such a long flight. I imagine some other people might feel the same way, so I wanted to share my advice for making a long-haul flight more comfortable.

Tips for managing a long-haul flight:

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One of my biggest concerns with being on a plane for so long is keeping occupied. It’s a good idea to come prepared with various forms of activities to pass the time on the plane.

Download entertainment

Having some forms of entertainment ready to go on your own devices, such as your phone or laptop, ensures that you have something to do on the flight regardless of whether or not the plane offers in-flight entertainment.

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Streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and HBO Go offer a feature that allows you to download movies and shows to watch offline, so you can watch them while your device is in airplane mode. This option is not available for every show and movie, so it is a good idea to spend some time beforehand finding something you’ll want to watch. Another thing to note is that you need a strong Wifi connection to successfully download, which is another reason it is a good idea to take care of this before heading to the airport. I like to add this to my packing list when preparing for a trip, so I don’t forget.

In addition to downloading shows and movies to watch, I also like to download some podcasts and music from Spotify.

Reading is also a good option for passing the time on a long flight. But books can take up a lot of space in your carry-on. Fortunately, if you have a library card, you are eligible to use the Libby app. This is a free app that allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your library. I absolutely love this app, and I recommend it to people anytime I can. This is such a convenient way to bring multiple books on a trip without taking up any extra space in your luggage. Even though I am aware some people much prefer physical books to ebooks (and I admit I once did a speech in one of my college classes about how physical books are superior), Libby is a game-changer when it comes to reading while on the go. If you haven’t already, I highly suggest signing up for a library card from your local library and getting set up with the Libby app.

Pack Headphones

If you are planning on listening to music/podcasts/audiobooks and watching shows/movies on your device, you also need to remember to bring headphones. 

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I actually have a cautionary tale to share about bringing headphones on a plane from this trip. While wireless headphones take up very little space, which makes them seem like the natural choice to bring on a flight, I ended up having one of my AirPods fall out while I was asleep, and I couldn’t find it under or around my seat. So, if you have the space, I would recommend bringing a larger pair of headphones, like Beats, or bringing a pair of wired headphones. 

It is a good idea anyway to bring headphones that have a jack, so you can plug in if the plane has a tv with entertainment options to choose from. You might also want to download the airline’s mobile app, as they sometimes offer in-flight entertainment options via their app.

Get Productive

Another idea for passing the time while on an airplane is to take advantage of this opportunity to get some productivity tasks done. Especially, those small tasks that keep getting put off. Some ideas for being productive on a plane are:

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Brainstorm/Work on projects

For me, this would consist of outlining and writing blog posts and planning out social media content. If you have any projects that you can work on or at least think about while on a plane, this is a good way to make use of your time.

Clean out your email inbox

Even though you won’t be able to receive new emails or respond to emails while in airplane mode, you should still be able to open your email app and delete old emails that are taking up space in your inbox.

Go through your notes app

If you are anything like me, your notes app is filled with random thoughts and reminders, so it might be a good idea to go through and delete old notes that are no longer relevant.

Go through your photos

This is another one of those tasks that can easily get put off. You can use this time to free up some space on your device by clearing out any photos you no longer want to keep.

Charging Your Devices For a Flight

A very important factor in keeping yourself entertained on a plane is making sure your devices are charged. There are several different factors to consider when it comes to what your charging options will look like on a flight, so it is important to come prepared for all possible scenarios. 

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While you should pack your chargers with you in an easy-to-access location, it is a good idea to ensure all your devices are fully charged before leaving for the airport. You don’t want to wind up in a situation where your devices aren’t charged and your plane has no outlets. It’s also important to remember to bring a charging port in case your plane has outlets but no USB ports. If you have one, you can also bring a portable charger as a backup (just make sure this is charged beforehand).

Get crafty

I like to crochet, so I brought my latest crochet project. I also brought a mandala coloring book and colored pencils. If you have any crafts that are small enough to bring on a plane, this is another great way to stay occupied while also calming your mind.

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Disclaimer

While I brought as much as possible in different forms of entertainment, I knew I probably wouldn’t spend the whole flight on these, and I was right. I admit that I didn’t use everything I brought. That is totally okay. I knew bringing multiple forms of entertainment was more of a mental strategy to combat the anxious thought of “What if I get bored?” That might not make sense to some, but coming prepared with all these items eased my mind and helped me feel more comfortable and relaxed.

What To Wear On A Flight

The best advice is to dress as comfortably as possible. It’s also a good idea to wear layers, in case the plane is cold. Another good packing tip is to wear your bulkiest items, like coats or jackets, so they don’t take up space in your suitcase. These can also double up as blankets and pillows.

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Pack Snacks

If you are going to be on a plane for several hours, it is a good idea to pack some snacks. Some long international flights offer meals and snacks, but it is a good idea to bring your own just in case.

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Additional Items To Bring On The Flight

I’ve covered some of the important items to pack, but here are some others items you might want to consider bringing on your flight if you have space.

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Eye mask and earplugs

Personally, I don’t find these comfortable, but they do help some people sleep on long flights.

Hand sanitizer

I like to have hand sanitizer anytime I’m on a flight.

Toiletries

You might want to bring your toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, deodorant, and any 

other toiletries to freshen up on a long flight.

Hopefully, these tips help you feel more comfortable on your next flight, especially if it is a long-haul flight. Happy traveling!