Every summer, my family and I go on a family vacation, so I’ve gotten quite used finding ways to pass the time spent in airports and on airplanes. Whenever I have a flight over four hours, I have to pack random things in my carry-on that I think will make the long flights seem shorter. I still can’t figure out how people can sleep for the whole flight; I get an hour of sleep, maybe. As I am writing this, I’m sitting on a seven and half hour flight, so the obvious way I chose to pass some of the time is to write an article about the seven things you need to have for a seven-hour flight.
1. A Book (or Books)
The perfect book is a necessity for any flight. I love to read because I lose myself in the story and three hours spent reading often only feels like one, which is perfect for a seven-hour flight.
2. Music
I can’t imagine what a flight without headphones and music would be like. I’m always listening to music during takeoff, while I'm in the air, and during the landing. It is definitely the number one necessity for any flight.
3. Neck Pillow
Sitting on an airplane for seven hours is already uncomfortable, but having a neck pillow along makes it slightly better and more bearable. I would definitely recommend finding one before a long flight because it provides some extra coziness and may even help you fall asleep.
4. Coloring Book
Adult coloring books are still all the craze (or at least I think they are) so I packed my Vogue coloring book for something to do while in the air. It’s very soothing and a great stress reliever; just don’t forget colored pencils or crayons.
5. Snacks
Airplane food is decent, but it’s definitely not the best thing I’ve ever tasted. I would recommend packing some snacks in your carry-on so you’re not starving by the time you reach your final destination. The one food item I always pack is gum to help with my ears popping from the pressure.
6. Journal
I always pack a journal because it’s the perfect way to detail the moments of the trip. Keeping a journal of travel details is such a fun idea, and there’s something about writing on paper that makes it so much better.
7. Laptop
Bringing a laptop on a long flight is a great idea. While I don’t splurge on paying for Wi-Fi, there are a ton of things you can do on a laptop without Wi-Fi. I always open Word and write, but you can also look at old pictures, watch videos you have on your laptop, and whatever else you can find to do without Wi-Fi.
