11 Best Apps for Long Flights
Andrew Patterson It is no secret that the part of traveling most people like the least is long flights. It’s easy to get hyped up for the destination, but there’s always that dread of having to suffer while spending many hours in the air with no service.
Your phone ranks high on the list of packing essentials.
Nowadays, it’s almost impossible to fathom killing time with no Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, many in-flight Wi-Fi services are either too expensive or not capable of sustaining us for many hours.
Luckily, you’ll find many apps you can enjoy even in airplane mode! The best apps for long flights mean there’s no reason why the fun can’t start at takeoff and last until landing.
Many apps require you to download some files and functionalities into your phone or tablet before you can use them in flight mode. Before boarding the plane, get your preferred apps prepped and ready to go while you still have a connection.
Remember that this may take up a lot of memory space on your device, so make sure you have enough room. Additionally, most apps require some sort of paid subscription service. The prices are usually very affordable though, and if you’re a frequent flier, you’ll get your money’s worth easily.
What to do during a long flight
Don’t forget to get your go-to app prepped before you board the plane.
Before you get to downloading the best apps for plane rides, consider how you’ll spend your time in the air. You could:
- Listen: Be it songs, audiobooks, guided meditations, or just white noise, there are many great ways to recline your seat, gaze out the window to the clouds, and have a great time until you land. Invest in a pair of comfortable noise-canceling headphones for a truly enjoyable experience!
- Watch: In-flight entertainment has developed in leaps and bounds. You can now find brand new cinematic releases or entire seasons of shows to binge. There are also ways to watch the content you want on your device, with cool accessories to help set up your phone or tablet for the optimal in-flight viewing experience.
- Read: The feel of physical books will remain unmatched, but if you don’t want the bulk of carrying them, a digital reader is your way to go. Catch up on your pages while up in the air!
- Play: If you’re traveling with a companion, a pack of cards, portable mini board game, or even a multiplayer game app on your phone will keep you both occupied from take-off to landing. Even if you’re by yourself, there are many apps you can use in airplane mode for fun and relaxation.
- Be Productive: Catch up on work you can do offline, for example creative writing, journaling, or drawing and sketching. Go old-school with a pen and notebook, or take advantage of apps that can help. You can also challenge yourself by learning a new language or practicing cognitive exercises to get the brain muscles flexing. Speaking of flexing—remember to get up occasionally to walk around the plane or do some stretches in the galley (with permission from the crew!).
- Rest: If you want to hit the ground running as soon as you land, the flight is the best time to get some much-needed rest. A window seat goes a long way toward getting uninterrupted sleep without your fellow passengers distracting you. Pro tip: At the check-in counter, ask if the flight is full. If it’s not, ask a cabin crew member if a row of two or three seats are free. If you’re very polite, they might let you switch to those seats and spread out comfortably for a complete lie-down. All you need is a good pillow!
11 best apps for long plane rides
When you’re not snapping cool photos out the window, let your phone keep you entertained in-flight.
Check out some of the best apps for plane rides and elevate your flight experience:
1. Spotify
If you have a Spotify Premium account, you can download playlists and podcasts ahead of time to listen to for hours. You can either create your very own playlist or choose from Spotify-curated playlists by searching “Made For You”, “Discover Weekly,” or “Release Radar” in the search bar.
You can also binge on podcasts on topics ranging from informative to entertaining. If you’re a nervous flier, try downloading Guided Meditations or White Noise playlists to stay calm or fall asleep during a long flight. Listening to motivational manifestations can also be a great way to get pumped up and hit the ground running when you land.
2. Audible
With an Audible Premium account, you can download audiobooks in their entirety to accompany you while you’re on a long flight. Audible boasts literally thousands of titles, and for an extra entertainment factor, some of them are read by celebrity readers like Claire Danes, Jesse Eisenberg, and Anne Hathaway, just to name a few. This is also a great way to get ahead on your pages if you’re prone to motion sickness when you read on flights.
3. Netflix
Netflix has the option to download entire movies and seasons of series into devices so you can watch in airplane mode. You can either download the remaining episodes of the series you’re already binging, a couple of movies you love watching, or fascinating documentaries to keep yourself entertained.
If you always struggle to find something to watch, you can also activate the Smart Downloads function about a week or so ahead of your flight. This enables the Netflix app to download shows and movies for you at random, so you’ll have a surprise selection ready when you’re up in the air.
The best apps for long flights give you hours of entertainment at your fingertips.
4. Disney+
Similar to Netflix, Disney+ also offers subscribers the option of downloading series and movies into their device to watch offline. Have your childhood favorites like the Lizzie McGuire series or the Freaky Friday movie downloaded and ready to go! Or, if you’ve got a particularly long flight, why not watch all the Marvel movies in chronological order?
5. Comixology
Think Kindle, but for comics, graphic novels, and manga. If you are already an Amazon Prime or Kindle subscriber, you can access hundreds of thousands of titles from countless publishing houses. Download ahead of time and experience the material like never before, with interactive and immersive interfaces to take your reading to the next level.
6. Zinio Magazine Newsstand
If casual reading is more your speed, the Zinio app is a great way to access thousands of magazines from around the world. Browse through up-to-date and archival magazine editions to stay occupied for hours.
7. Wikipedia
Everyone’s favorite online source is now available in airplane mode. If you enjoy jumping into Wikipedia rabbit holes and reading about any topic out there in an accessible, understandable way, the app allows you to save articles and reading lists to access offline. And, just like the version on a browser, it is and always will remain completely free to use.
8. Colorfy
This free coloring book app allows users to access over a thousand unique drawings to fill with color. You don’t even need an external stylus—just pick out colors and fill in the spaces with your finger. Coloring books help calm the mind and can be very therapeutic when you feel stressed out or worried.
9. twofold.inc
If you’re looking for a fun way to challenge your brain muscles, this deceivingly simple yet highly addictive game is an app you must try. Players create a path by moving or destroying tiles, but the rules and point system make this a game that will truly train your focus and cognitive skills. It’s one of the best games for airplane mode, too!
10. Duolingo
Practice ordering your favorite meal in another language thanks to offline apps.
This app needs no introduction. The offline functionalities of Duolingo are also great to keep you on track in your language learning journey. If you’re headed to a country where English is not the main language, you can use your long flight productively with a crash course on the language of your destination.
11. Bejeweled
This addictive game never gets old. Swipe to group the same gems together and clear them from the screen. The app even has a Zen version, accompanied by soothing background music and muted-down version of the graphics meant to relax you while you have a bit of fun.
This is great for flights, as being overstimulated can sometimes cause anxiety. Zen mode also has a breath modulation function, so you can keep an eye on your breathing as well.
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Pass the time with the best apps for long flights!
You’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime after your long flight.
No service? No problem. If you’re wondering what to do during a long flight, there is very likely an app for that.
Hop onto your next plane worry-free. With the best games for airplane mode and the best apps for long flights ready to go, you’re all set to stay occupied for hours. Happy travels!
