Boredom on long flights

[melly 0]

Good morning everyone

Sorry if this topic has been gone over before. I find that I'm not so great at using the search feature on these boards.

So, like many of you, I have a flight of 17 or so hours coming up, and I'm a little disturbed about trying to think of things to do to occupy that time during the flight.

I was planning to bring an mp3 player, and a book, but.... 17 hours... jeez louise!

I don't think I'll be able to sleep that well, if at all, though it seems like that would be the best solution to quickly pass the time.

So what did you all do while flying for so many hours? Any suggestions about fun things or ways to make the time pass quicker?

Thanks

[UmmSqueakster 54]

Lots of books, lots of cds (don't have an MP3 player). Depending on your flight, there may be a good selection of movies to watch. Once I played computer games on my laptop, but Amsterdam didn't have any plugs, so I ran out of batteries and couldn't recharge during my 8 hour layover.

[mybackpages 0]

Buy some easy to read magazines- you know the ones that you indulge in but never admit to reading. Guilty pleasure reading. Get up and walk around a lot. Try to sleep. I downloaded some podcasts on my I-Pod - entertainment, language lessons, etc. I always journal when I travel so that helps past time too.

[AichaKandisha 0]

On a 17 hour flight...a good sleeping pill or two (or Nyquil) would 'occupy' a lot of that time and help with jet lag at the same time.

[tom&tata 2]

On a 17 hour flight...a good sleeping pill or two (or Nyquil) would 'occupy' a lot of that time and help with jet lag at the same time.

Agree with that

[ya falaha! 0]

I brought my mp3 player and a good book (The Kite Runner). I also watched all the movies and TV shows that were shown on the plane. That occupied me. I can't sleep on planes so that was out of the question.

[cbd2cai 0]

On a 17 hour flight...a good sleeping pill or two (or Nyquil) would 'occupy' a lot of that time and help with jet lag at the same time.

Agree with that

Yep, if you can sleep it is probably a good idea . . . the more the better so you aren't so blasted tired when you arrive in Egypt, LOL!!

I can't sleep for long so I bring a book, load up the MP3 player (used to take the CD player/CDs but that takes up too much space in carry-on, hehe), watch the movies if I can actually see them (sometimes the angle is bad), stand up in the aisle, go to the galley area or where bathrooms are located (where ever there is some space) and do some stretching for the back/legs/etc. Sometimes, if I am lucky, I get an extra seat next to me and can stretch out a bit.

I like the suggestion about the "easy to read" magazines . . . something mindless to use up some time and be entertained. One thing I do not like to do is serious work on the plane . . . like bring a laptop and try to work, yech!!! LOL, I don't make a good travelling consultant, do I??? but my eyes get so tired from staring at those little screens anyway . . . so I like to rest my eyes when I am flying.

[deathbydalbhat 0]

Haha I am a veteran of many of those long (NYC-Asia) flights!

I agree with everything that's already been suggested, and would add, it's good to bring a long, epic paperback with lots of juicy sex and violence (Gary Jennings' Aztec comes to mind) and read just the first chapter or two before you get on the plane, that way you are already into it.

Also if you are going with a good airline(Continental or Singapore for example) even in coach they have those nifty seatback video screens with tons of movies and video games.

If you're the lucky type who can sleep on a plane(I can't) then you've got it covered.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

... it's good to bring a long, epic paperback with lots of juicy sex and violence

This is the MENA forum. Prepare for the stoning.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I like the suggestion about the "easy to read" magazines . . . something mindless to use up some time and be entertained.

I guess I'm an odd duck. My airplane ritual always includes getting a copy of the economist

[cbd2cai 0]

I like the suggestion about the "easy to read" magazines . . . something mindless to use up some time and be entertained.

I guess I'm an odd duck. My airplane ritual always includes getting a copy of the economist

Well, rahma, you are a better person than I am to be reading the economist on the plane.

LOL, for awhile I was reading Egyptian history and books on Cairo and the Valley of the Kings . . . . my trip to Luxor was a big highlight for me in 2005 (lol, not to mention I got married right before I went). I keep pulling those books out to read but I forget to bring them on the plane now.

[doodlebug 3]

British Air has those tv's in the back of the seats and offers tons of movies.

I don't plan on watching them though since I"m downing an Ativan before getting on board so that I'm not a total freaked out nutcase focusing on the fact that this large metal thing that weighs tons is able to stay in the air over a HUGE body of water where no one will be able to find us for months on end if we crash.

Edited November 7, 2006 by doodlebug

[Sofiyya 1,687]

I like the suggestion about the "easy to read" magazines . . . something mindless to use up some time and be entertained.

I guess I'm an odd duck. My airplane ritual always includes getting a copy of the economist

Make that two odd ducks. . .

[AichaKandisha 0]

I take books on tape about the language (so I can surprise my fiance with new phrases that I can speak in Arabic and French) and the culture of Morocco as well as my favorite inspriational/spiritual reading. Books on tape/CD ROCK as far as I'm concerned. I listen to them in planes, cars, at home, at work; just about anywhere!

I can't sleep AT ALL in any mode of transportation and definitely not in those cramped airplane seats. Hence the use of sleeping pills. They work wonders for me in airplane seats.

[Chris-n-Veronica 0]

My Flight took 20-22 hours....But the actual longest one was 10 hours in the air.. I took a book... plus we watched two movies..

I had a lay over in Frankfurt for 6 hours..and another in San Francisco for 2 hours..

Can a Jet stay in the air 17 hours..without refueling ? hahahahhah if so...I don't think my butt could..

I like the suggestion about the "easy to read" magazines . . . something mindless to use up some time and be entertained.

I guess I'm an odd duck. My airplane ritual always includes getting a copy of the economist

Make that two odd ducks. . .