Which of these ideas fits depends on your seat and your battery: a tray table, a window, and whether the outlet works decide more than taste does, so a book or a coloring book is the safe pick when power is a gamble.
The list runs from a paperback that needs no power to a laptop that needs a full charge before boarding, with watercolors, a flip book, a scrapbook and a nap in between.
1. Read a Book
A paperback needs no battery, no Wi-Fi and no signal, which is why it still wins for me on a long flight.
Pick something you already want to finish, ideally a nonfiction title you’ve been putting off, and you will actually read it instead of reaching for your phone.
Pack it in the seat pocket or under the seat, not the overhead bin, so it’s in reach when the cabin lights dim. An e-reader holds dozens of books in less space if your bag is already full.
2. In-flight Entertainment System
A moving map is the simplest way to answer "how much longer?" without asking the flight attendant.
The seatback map is worth watching: it shows your route against real geography, with city names and bodies of water like the Atlantic labeled, so you can see how far along you are.
I like switching to it every hour or so between movies. For kids, it turns the flight into a game: ask them to guess which city you’ll pass next.
3. Coloring Books
Mandala pages suit a tray table because each one is small, repetitive and forgiving.
Start from the center and work outward, so your hand never smudges finished sections. Bring a sharpener, or use pencils that are already sharp.
Kids can share the same book, with one page each.
4. Paper Cartoon Flip Book
Flip books ask for almost nothing: a small pad, a pencil and a simple idea.
Draw a stick figure on the last page, then redraw it with a tiny change on each page going backward, and flip the corner to watch it move.
Pick a pad small enough to hold in one hand, which matters on a crowded flight. A pencil is the safer pick over a pen, since you can fix mistakes.
This one works well for kids who tire of coloring.
5. Make a Scrapbook
Printed photos, a glue stick and a small notebook turn a flight into a project.
A scrapbook page needs very little room: a grid of small travel photos and an envelope for keepsakes fits in a thin book that sits easily on a tray table.
I’d bring the photos already trimmed, since scissors are a hassle in the air. Add a short caption under each one while the memory is fresh.
Pack everything in a zip pouch to keep your tray table clear.
6. Work or Write on a Laptop
A laptop turns dead flight hours into real work, and a tray table fits it well enough for writing a script or drafting a long document. Writing is the best use: it needs no internet, so you can draft offline.
Charge fully before boarding, since outlets are never guaranteed. Dim the screen to stretch the battery.
Space is tight, and a reclined seat in front can crowd you, so a small laptop beats a large one. Save often in case the battery quits.
7. Watercolor Painting on Tray Table
A compact watercolor set, a brush and a sketchbook are enough to paint at a tray table. Pans of color take far less room than tubes, and the flight map on the seatback screen gives you a ready subject.
Keep the page small and work in light washes, since a wet page and turbulence don’t mix. Ask the flight attendant for a cup with a little water, and keep a napkin handy for blotting the brush.
Pick a sketchbook with thick paper so the color doesn’t buckle.
8. Take a Nap
Sleep is the one activity that makes the hours disappear, and a hoodie with the hood up works as a light shield and a bit of warmth.
I’d skip the movie and the snack cart once you’re drowsy and settle in early, before the cabin gets busy. Keep the seat belt visible over your clothes so nobody has to wake you for a check.
A window seat gives you something to lean on. For kids, a familiar hoodie or blanket helps them drop off.
9. Journaling or Writing by Hand
Pen and paper let you write without a battery, a signal or an outlet, and the tray table holds a notebook with room left for a book and snacks.
Window light is brightest in daytime, so that’s when I’d write. Use a pen that doesn’t skip, and bring a spare, since one dry pen ends the session.
Try a simple prompt: list what you want from the trip, or write about where you’re headed. Kids can write or draw next to you in a separate notebook.
Stay Hydrated During Flight
Dry cabin air pulls moisture out of you faster than you notice, and thirst lags behind. A reusable water bottle is the simplest fix, and 8 ounces per hour is a workable target.
Start drinking before you board, not after takeoff. Staying hydrated helps your circulation, and that counts on a flight where you sit for hours.
Empty the bottle before security, then refill it at a fountain or filling station past the checkpoint. That saves you from waiting on the cart, which can be slow.
Spread the water out rather than gulping a pint at once. Small, steady sips are easier on your bladder and on your seatmates who have to let you out.
Drinking plenty of water before and during the flight doesn’t just ward off the effects of dry cabin air: It also helps your blood flowing properly, which prevents DVTs. Aim for 8 ounces per hour, and always travel with a reusable water bottle.
— Kayak
Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis
Sitting still for hours, cramped seating and existing health conditions all raise the odds of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
DVT is a clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg, and it turns dangerous if a piece breaks loose and lodges in the lungs or heart.
Get up and walk every 90 minutes or so. From the window seat, wait until your seatmates get up, then slip out when they do.
If the aisle is blocked, keep moving in place with ankle circles, knee hugs and shoulder rolls. Run through a short set once an hour and your blood keeps circulating.
If you’ve had a clot before or carry other risk factors, compression socks are a smart buy, and doctors often suggest them for exactly that reason.
If you have clotting risks, talk to your doctor before a long flight.
Prepare for In-flight Entertainment
Wi-Fi on a plane is unreliable, so treat the flight as offline time and load your device the week before. Download over home Wi-Fi, then open each file once to confirm it plays.
Movies and TV shows are the obvious picks. Keep a running list of titles in the weeks before the trip so you aren’t scrolling at the gate.
Podcasts and audiobooks fill the time as well, and a local library card often gets you free ebooks and audiobooks. Look at the library’s website first, since the loan options may cover what you were about to buy.
Download more than you think you’ll need. A show saved to your phone or tablet can also finish playing after you’ve landed.
Keep it suitable for all ages, since the people beside you can see your screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do on a plane?
A paperback, the seatback moving map and a downloaded show or podcast cover most flights, and a nap beats all of them once you’re drowsy.
A book needs no battery or signal, and the map answers "how much longer?" without a call to the flight attendant. If you want something hands-on, a coloring book or a small watercolor set fits a tray table.
How to survive a 12 hour flight in economy?
Sip water steadily, move every 90 minutes or so, and keep a few offline activities ready.
Drink roughly 8 ounces of water every hour, because cabin air is far drier than most people realize and it quietly pulls moisture from your skin and throat. A hoodie and an early nap help the hours disappear.
