Bored on a Plane? Do These 20 Things

Posted by Denette Wilford on January 19, 2017, Updated on July 19, 2017

You've booked your vacation, that's the good news. The bad? Getting there. If you're a good flyer, then lucky you. But if you get antsy and just want to be in paradise already, here are some ways to pass the time. Because the sooner your holiday starts, the better.

  •  Getty Images
    1 of 20

    Watch movies

    This is a given. It's the best way to kill a few hours and the best part? You get to pick the movie(s).
  •  Getty Images
    2 of 20

    Watch a new series

    Pick a show (or three) you've been meaning to watch, and download the first seasons to your iPad.
  •  Getty Images
    3 of 20

    Read

    Whether it's a paperback, magazine or your trusty eReader, this is a classic way for you to escape. Don't forget to keep it handy when you board — it's one of the 20 items you should always pack in your carry-on.
  •  Getty Images
    4 of 20

    Listen to an audio book

    If you want to rest your eyes but still knock out a couple books, download a few audio books. The funnier, the better (Mindy Kaling and Jim Gaffigan make great seatmates) ... though your actual seatmates might get a tad annoyed by the guffaws seemingly coming out of nowhere.
  •  Getty Images
    5 of 20

    Listen to a podcast

    Download your favourite ones and listen the hours away.

    Need some inspiration for your next trip? Check out the top 20 cheap trips for Canadians this winter.
  •  Getty Images
    6 of 20

    Play games

    If you're on your own, Candy Crush will be your BFF. But since you only get five lives, ensure you've got other apps downloaded for your gaming pleasure. If you're travelling with someone, pack a deck of cards or have a couple of compact games handy.

    Want to chuckle? You may also enjoy: the weirdest things people have tried to smuggle through customs.
  •  Getty Images
    7 of 20

    Colour

    It's peaceful, it'll make you feel like you've accomplished something, and it's not just for kids anymore (though they still love to too).
  •  Getty Images
    8 of 20

    Do Sudokus or crosswords

    Keep your brain fired up by packing a couple puzzle books in your carry-on. Or impress your seat neighbour with some smart chit-chat on the top 35 things most people don't know about flying!
  •  Denette Wilford
    9 of 20

    Write postcards

    Why spend precious down time taking pen to paper? Even if you've only jotted down addresses, it's a time saver. And during your Disney Cruise, you can add a few scribbles about your adventures, then mail them once you get to Castaway Cay or drop them in the regular post before you hit the airport once more.
  •  Getty Images
    10 of 20

    Learn a language

    If you're heading to a country where you don't speak the language, download an app and take the flight time to learn a few common words and phrases.

    You may also like: 20 reasons why Canadians are loved abroad.
  •  Getty Images
    11 of 20

    Delete old photos from your phone

    Ever try to take photos or a video and your phone has no space left? This is why. Go through your folders and remove all those blurry selfies and food shots you no longer need, organize the rest into albums and make room for more pics. So liberating.

    When you're done that, check out the secret language of flight attendants and learn how to decode their slang.
  •  Getty Images
    12 of 20

    Unsubscribe from email lists

    This only works if you have access to in-flight wi-fi but look at all the crap in your inbox and forever remove yourself from those pesky mailing lists you signed up for that one time.
  •  Getty Images
    13 of 20

    Organize your bag

    After you've thrown in your passport and boarding pass, your bag is likely in a messy state. Readjust the contents of your bag and toss anything you don't need into the pocket in front of you (but don't forget to trash it all when the attendants come around).

    Travelling soon? Don't miss 20 of the costliest packing mistakes you may be making.
  •  Getty Images
    14 of 20

    Plan your activities

    Get the lay of the land, even if you are more of a spontaneous vacationer. Familiarize your face off and spend less time wandering and more time doing. Disney's four theme parks, two water parks and Universal, all in a week? You can do it!
  •  Getty Images
    15 of 20

    Give meditation a try

    Why not find your zen while stuck seated for long periods of time? It can help you relax and feel sleepy, making it one of the best tricks for falling asleep on a plane.
  •  Getty Images
    16 of 20

    Start journaling

    Jot down your thoughts about or from your trip, or maybe things you're grateful for, and those memories will be forever chronicled.
  •  Getty Images
    17 of 20

    Stretch your legs

    If you can, get up every now and again and do some light stretches. Or even better, get up and take a walk around the plane. You might feel bad waking the guy in the aisle seat but it's for your own good. Just don't do yoga in the aisles; it's one of the top 20 things flight attendants don't like you doing!
  •  Getty Images
    18 of 20

    Get pretty

    If you don't care what you look like or what others think of you, give yourself a sheet mask. Once the flight is over, everyone else will look tired and dull but you will glow while exiting the plane.
  •  Getty Images
    19 of 20

    Plan your next trip

    Travelling home from a relaxing holiday and not wanting it to end is typical so why not focus on the next getaway? Maybe you didn't get a chance to do something, or a trip to a museum inspired you to visit another one. Figure out when next works best and make it happen.
  •  Getty Images
    20 of 20

    Sleep

    When all else fails, curl up in your shawl or blanket, put on your noise-cancelling headphones and dream of your next vacation.
  • start over
    Next Gallery

    The 20 Best Places to Travel in November Outside of Canada

    More Galleries

Latest Travel Photos

More Galleries