Ask a Club member: How to avoid boredom on a long-haul flight

Words: Tamara Hinson

Are you prone to bouts of boredom when in the air? Not for much longer… We asked members of The British Airways Club to share their top tips for staying entertained. From guilt-free movie marathons to making meaningful connections, here’s what these seasoned pros recommend for some in-flight entertainment.

1. Manage your photos! When I’m bored on a flight I take the time to sift through all the photos on my phone, reliving memories, deleting unwanted snaps and making galleries.
Matthew Shaw, founder of Sauveur Studios

2. One way to beat boredom on a long flight is to bring along a portable, compact puzzle or brain teaser. Something like a Rubik’s Cube, a small mechanical puzzle or even a deck of cards for solitaire can keep your mind engaged in a hands-on way. It’s a great break from screens and doesn’t require internet or power. These puzzles provide a satisfying mental challenge and help time pass more quickly by shifting your focus.
Lucinda Faucheux, co-founder of Travel Support Circle

3. I download a variety of two-person computer games, from Wordle to I Spy. There are a bunch similar to the old Where’s Wally books, but in digital form. On business trips, I do things I’d never otherwise do, such as reorganising the files on my computer… It’s the perfect opportunity to tidy up your digital life, from your desktop to your file folder system.
David Ciccarelli, CEO of Lake

4. Turn flight time into connection time. I use long flights to nurture relationships I’ve neglected. I pre-load a list of people I admire or haven’t caught up with – mentors, old clients, even friends I met at a conference years ago – and write short, thoughtful emails or voice notes. It’s my way of turning dead time into meaningful connections. You’d be amazed what revives when you reach out ‘just because’.
Kristina Spionjak, media relations specialist

5. Long-haul flights are one of the few places where I can think, plan and work without constant interruptions. I break the flight into phases: take-off is for reflection, cruising altitude is for admin and creative thinking, and the final few hours are for resetting my body clock… In the final stretch, I open my Timeshifter app to help adjust to the time zone change and use the remainder of the flight to reset my body clock.
Tom Payne, editor, Tech for Travel

6. I have a real fascination with filming what I see out the window. Often, if you’re not flying too high, you can see cities, beautiful clouds, sunsets and sunrises. I record it and then later edit the video, overlaying music that matches my mood. If I’m feeling a bit reflective, the music is slower and more emotional. If I’m feeling energised or inspired, I’ll choose something more upbeat.
Jamila Asgarova, founder of homewares boutique Soroka London

7. I treat flights as my guilt-free digital detox. I’ll mist my face, massage my temples with essential oils then slap on a hydrogel face mask followed by eye mask. If I’m feeling really ‘extra’, I’ll even put on my LED face mask.
Patrizia Galeota, founder of PGPR

8. I’m a lawyer and like to use the flight as a strategic retreat. I spend the first two hours drawing out some of my more complicated case arguments or cross-examination lines completely by hand – usually with the result of redoing them. Writing on a piece of paper instead of using digital tools is enough to get me thinking slowly so that I can spot holes I would have overlooked on the ground. I also build in little standing micro-walks of one or two hours during which I practise arguments or run through hypothetical situations in the courtroom as I walk the aisles. During a ten-hour flight, this amounts to 50 or 60 minutes of movement and significantly decreases the mental exhaustion that sets in during the seventh hour.
Marcus Denning, senior lawyer, ML Law

9. As someone who travels to India several times a year, I find long flights double as the perfect opportunities to catch up on old movies. There’s something comforting about revisiting classic films. It turns the journey into a relaxing escape before the adventures and the full itinerary begin.
Celebrity chef Atul Kochar

10. Write lists! Getting organised can be hard when you’re always so busy. Use this time to write lists of anything that is on your mind. You'll be amazed how accomplished you feel when you have a plan. One thing I recommend writing is a gratitude list (where you write down all the things you feel thankful for). For me, the ability to travel internationally is always on there.
Chloe Thomas, fitness coach (and former BA cabin crew)

11. Taste test the unexpected. Long flights are the perfect excuse to try things I’d never normally order – ginger beer, tomato juice, a samosa-style roll for breakfast or even the pasta dish I’d usually skip. I make a point to at least ‘sample’ everything on the tray.
Brina Wadsworth, director of supplier partnerships, TravelPerk

12. Planning my itinerary is a great way to use time in the air. In the lead-up to a trip, I compile a folder filled with recommendations from friends, must-see sights and interesting places to explore. I usually have accommodation and a few key activities booked in advance, but I like to use the flight to fine-tune my plans, adding in experiences I don’t want to miss and mapping out a flexible daily schedule.
Nicola Paisey, founder, Maud Interiors

13. I use long flights as a chance to chill out and get stuck into a good book. I find it’s also a great time to work on my own writing, without emails or distractions. I came up for the idea for my directorial debut The Burn on a flight to Stockholm once. A few hours in the air can be surprisingly productive!
Levison Wood, explorer

14. Downloading podcasts about the destination or reading a few guidebooks can be a great way to get excited about the place you’re heading to and a brilliant way to kill the boredom! Equally, packing a small language dictionary means you can spend the flight brushing up on the lingo before you go. 
Malcolm Wellby, Japan expert at Wayfairer Travel

Got a great travel tip? We want to hear it! For a future issue, we’re asking two questions: how do you sleep comfortably on a plane? And What are your little inflight luxuries? Email theclub@cedarcom.co.uk to share your wisdom (the more unexpected the better).

Please note that while we aim to showcase as many submissions as possible we may not be able to feature every tip we receive.