What to do on long flights?
 

I'm traveling on Friday and I have no idea what I will do for 4 hours on an afternoon flight. (I'm traveling alone.)
Any fun apps I can use/anything you do on long flights?
And thanks in advance!

You think four hours is a long flight? You have to be kidding.

Read a book.

It actually is for me.
I usually have at least 2 hours then transit then another couple of hours but I'm not very used to having one that is 4 consecutive hours.

Read a book, watch in-flight entertainment if available, write to friends and family....

I would not consider 4 hours to be a long flight.

Most travelers these days do not consider 4 hours to be a long flight.
Now a days people are flying 15-17 hours on one plane and reaching their destination with no stops anywhere.
Watch movies, play games, read books, listen to music, take a nap, meditate, pray and maybe make a new friend talking with people sitting near you.
One lady I know, even baby sat a toddler and played games while the mom slept.
4 hours is easy to pass.
Have a good flight.

Yes,I realize that most of you travel way longer but that's just the longest duration for me. (traveling 2 hours to the capital then 4 hour flight following approximately 2-3 hours in traffic is sort of a long trip though? Or maybe it's just me :D )
I guess I will pick up a book in this case and try to start a conversation with anyone sitting near me since my electronic devices will sort of die before I even reach my destination.



Thanks everyone! :)

Be careful about those conversations -- not everyone wants to engage. ;-)

"try to start a conversation with anyone sitting near me since my electronic devices will sort of die before I even reach my destination."

First, why do you think your devices will die? You should be able to recharge them at the airport, but mine certainly last longer that.

Second, please recognize that your fellow travelers may appreciate peace and quiet a lot more than conversation.

Not sure where you live, but my trips frequently start/finish with a six-seven hour flight to/from London. Trips to Asia require, of course, much longer flights. Last trip I flew home Tokyo-Dallas with a connecting onward flight. That first leg takes 12 hours. So no, four hours doesn't sound that long at all to me.

>>I guess I will pick up a book in this case and try to start a conversation with anyone sitting near me since my electronic devices will sort of die before I even reach my destination.<<

Some travelers want to chat -- but most don't. They are working, or playing games or watching the movie (if offered).

And . . . most electronic gizmo's batteries last much longer than 4 hours. But even if yours don't - there are power outlets in the airport and on most airplanes. Honestly though -- 4 hours is not that long a flight.

We travel wirh a power stick to charge our phones when no plug is handy. That being said, we wouldn't need it on a 4 hour flight.
My goal on airplanes is always to sleep through as much of the flight as possible.

I like to pick up a paperback before the flight. My preference is a romantic comedy because of the entertainment and I'm not left wondering what happened should I lose it.

Check you devices and see if they will hold a charge for 4 hours. You may be pleasantly surprised.

Think of it as a time when you can draw, write or some other creative outlet that doesn't require sharp objects or toxic smells.

It's not a good time to really plan:

Making a friend but it could be a bonus. You may luck out and find someone who likes to talk but be prepared that many people just want to sink into their own world.

Doing your nails or any personal grooming.

Take a paperback book and a couple magazines to leaf through.

Rent the players offered on most flights and watch a movie.

Download music onto your phone and listen to that with earbuds.

Do crosswords or suduko if you have that kind of a hobby.

Have a glass of wine or two and a snack.

Take a nap.

Get up and use the rest room a few times (an excuse of walk around even if you don't need to).

And no, please don't chat up the people sitting next to you unless you are sure they are interested in conversation!


Lastly... 4 hour is not a long flight ;-)

I sat next to a nine or ten year old kid on a 4 hour flight once. He had a back pack full of games. It was a blast. Little ankle biter beat me at tic tac toe. Grrrrrr, if I ever find him again I'm ready!

Your electronic devices won't die, and you can charge them on the plane, or carry a backup charger, but the real issue is WiFi, or lack thereof. Even on planes that say they have it, it's weak and spotty.

And that is why you buy a magazine in the gift shop at the airport.

Well, no, that is why you charge your devices on the go; and download your entertainments, be they music, movies, or podcasts; and play games that don't require Internet access.

You don't have to give up using your devices, you just have to understand how to use them while flying.

Or you can read a magazine.

Four hours is normally just ordinary one leg of a domestic trip for me. Download a Netflix movie on an iPad or Kindle device. Read a guide book for wherever you are traveling to.Some seats do have electric plugs. Business class always has outlets. One of my last flights was 16.5 hours and it was fine. I was thrilled to be en route to Asia! Eat, Sleep, eat more, movies, read.
Most passengers do NOT want to chat with you other than to say a pleasantry.

If this is an economy seat domestic airline/domestic flight there may not be much available in the way of movie choices or seat back rechargers. Bring your earbuds and your recharge cable. Charge up your device the day before you leave and put it on power saver. Sometimes (not always) your can top up your charge at the airport. Bring a few magazines and newspapers or play games on your device, it sounds like you have one. I usually read the airline magazine and watch whatever I can on the plane, and look out the window.

Treat the free time as a gift. When do you get the chance to have four hours to do absolutely nothing? Get lost in your own thoughts. Use the time to journal, make plans, lists, whatever interests you. Failing that, load up with entertainment. I always travel with a Smartphone and iPad mini, loaded with "stuff" to keep me occupied as interests and energy levels dictate. I write. I read. I catch up on reading about my destination. I practise language basics. (My go-to is the Fodor's Travel Phrases app.) If all that feels too much like work, I watch one of several movies I've downloaded. If I'd prefer to close my eyes, I listen to podcasts or music. Enjoy your flight!!