A long flight might appear dull. By following proven methods, the flight may be more comfortable than you expect. Learn more about killing time on flights.
I routinely walk laps around the plane or do squat exercises in some of its more open areas. This helps break up the time and prevents soreness from prolonged sitting in the same position. You will feel much better by getting up and moving around during a long flight.
Congregating in the galley or restroom is usually discouraged on shorter flights, but flight crews are much more forgiving on longer international flights. If a crew member says you stand for too long in one of these areas, try going to the restroom to brush your teeth or splash some water on your face. You will usually be left alone if you are moving around and appear to be heading back to your seat or the bathroom. This can give you much more standing time without being bothered by flight attendants.
My journalist colleague Christian Borch has written a witty blog post about flying in contemporary times (in Norwegian only).
Many fellow travelers have asked me how I break up the time on a long flight. I am lucky that many international flights from OSL depart at 5 p.m. or later. This makes it easier to sleep at the normal time to kill a few of those monotonous flight hours. We all know that getting a good sleep on a plane is all but impossible. I consider it lucky to get four to five hours of sleep, even if it is not a deep sleep. The trade-off is that I will be tired enough to go to bed sooner, allowing my body to adjust to the new time zone as quickly as possible.
I split the rest of the time on a flight between music, movies, and books. Music is the big winner for me as it lets me enjoy my favorite entertainment even when flying. And sometimes I even get a nap while listening. But I usually read for an hour before sleep and listen to music after – if I can help it.
Since the entertainment is complimentary, I use the time to check out movies with no other intention than to pass the time.
Killing Time on Flights, written by Tor Kjolberg. Feature image (top) © OHLA Schools.