I recently traveled from New Jersey to Mumbai, India. I was on a plane for 15 hours with no WiFi and absolutely nothing to do. 15 hours is the longest I have ever been on a flight and it was hard to kill time without internet. Of course, I could watch movies and listen to music, but you get bored of that too at some point in a 15-hour-long journey. To keep myself entertained, I tried various things. So here are seven ways you can kill time on a long flight.
1. Organize your mobile apps
This is something that we all plan on doing but never have the time to do. I spent a lot of time deleting photos, notes, and apps that I no longer use. I categorized all my mobile apps, albums, and created folders. You can do the same thing on your laptop too.
2. Make plans for your destination
Knowing that I'll be in India only for a limited time before I have to come back to New Jersey, I planned out all my weeks. If you do not have an itinerary for your destination, plan out all your days. Make a list of places you want to visit, the foods you want to eat and the things you want to do.
3. Strike up a conversation
Strike a conversation with the person sitting next to you. I'm not someone who will initiate a conversation with a stranger, but I do like to talk when someone starts talking to me. I once had an interesting conversation about studying abroad with the person sitting next to me. Who knows you might even end up making a friend.
4. Read a book
If you are someone who loves reading like me, definitely carry a book in your cabin luggage. I like to buy a new novel that I have never read before for my journey.
5. Do some journaling
This is my favorite thing to do. With no technology around you, this is the perfect time to reflect on your thoughts. If there's something that has been on your mind for a long time, write it all down. Write about any future plans or ideas you may have. (Yes, I came up with the idea for writing this article on my flight.)
6. Walk around
I know, it sounds crazy. But moving around on long flights prevents blood clots. There's barely any place to stretch your legs if you are traveling in economy and this can be a health risk for frequent flyers. It's always good to stretch your legs and talk a walk in the aisles every hour.
7. Take pictures
I don't think I have ever been on a flight without taking at least one picture from the window. I love watching the sunsets and clouds from the window. I have witnessed very beautiful sunsets on my flights that have made me feel grateful to be alive.
