Poll: How do you spend your time on a flight?

How do you spend most of your time on a 2-3 hour flight?

  • Sleep

    Votes: 12 19.0%
  • Work stuff - work on documents, emails, etc

    Votes: 2 3.2%
  • Read for pleasure

    Votes: 18 28.6%
  • Listen to music

    Votes: 6 9.5%
  • Watch a movie

    Votes: 21 33.3%
  • Surf the web

    Votes: 4 6.3%
  • Talk to person next to you (ugh)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    63

Anon1683841811

Well-known member
May 11, 2023
214
550
93
Been flying a bunch lately, mostly 2-3 hour flights. I mostly just try to sleep (or read this board). Curious what others do.
 
  • Like
Reactions: STPGopherfan

Erial_Lion

Well-known member
Nov 1, 2021
2,530
3,069
113
Equal parts work and sleep. Time of day really matters too...mid-day flight and likely more on the work side...redeye and I'm asleep before the plan takes off and might not wake up until we've landed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ODShowtime

WVilleLion23

Active member
Oct 27, 2022
759
1,131
62
I like to read, listen to music, watch movies, sleep. As someone else mentioned, depends on length of flight and time of day.

I honestly try not to work on flights because it is a period where I can get a short reprieve given most of my flying is work related.

I do not like to talk to my seat mates because I’ve had a few bad experiences where the people just never STFU once you open that door.
 

Nitt1300

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
5,382
10,297
113
 

Midnighter

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2021
10,183
16,221
113
Been flying a bunch lately, mostly 2-3 hour flights. I mostly just try to sleep (or read this board). Curious what others do.

If long enough (like to Europe) I like to get a glass of wine and watch a movie I might not otherwise ever sit down to watch. Or, one I haven’t seen that I really wanted to see. I don’t usually sleep unless totally zonked. Will read if no good movies. Also enjoy the travel shows as a last resort. Key is a glass of wine or cognac - Lufthansa is the best because even if in coach they are very generous with wine.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jp3272 and Tgar

1995PSUGrad

Well-known member
Oct 30, 2021
513
721
93
I selected watch a movie, but I only do that half the time. Half of the time I follow the path of the plane on the map. I don't know why, but I find it fascinating! I bet I watched it for 4-5 hours on the flight to Hawaii
 
  • Like
Reactions: PSJimbo

CDLionFL

Well-known member
Oct 25, 2021
1,580
2,355
113
I get my window seat (hopefully exit row...though with the recent happenings, I may change that strategy as I can't be trusted to help anyone), toss on the headphones, and conk out during a podcast. If i wake up, there's another podcast in waiting. I often make it a goal to not say more than 10 words to anyone on the plane unless there's someone I know also on the flight. And since I never get seated next to any attractive women, I usually meet my goal.
 

LionJim

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
11,525
15,798
113
Just got in my hotel near LAX,
14 hours from Singapore. I watch movies and work on math problems. Damn, hard problem I’m working on.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tgar and BobPSU92

Tgar

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2021
4,961
11,032
113
Depending on the flight and duration, Tgar will always have a compelling book to read but he does enjoy a glass of wine with a movie as well. The sound has to be up to par though to make the experience worthwhile. Syncing earbuds with some of these systems is nearly impossible at Times. Standard routine is get on the plane, settle in, determine if watching a movie is feasible.

He may for the first time next month, download a Netflix movie on his IPad and give that a whirl.

Having said all that, crushing a good book and drifting off is never bad. Jet lag recovery is becoming more of a problem.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Midnighter

Tgar

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2021
4,961
11,032
113
Just got in my hotel near LAX,
14 hours from Singapore. I watch movies and work on math problems. Damn, hard problem I’m working on.
How are you feeling Jim? Are you right side up or upside down? Anymore, long flights leave me with several “ adjustment” days particularly at the end of a long trip.
 

NittPicker

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2021
4,618
9,481
113
Been flying a bunch lately, mostly 2-3 hour flights. I mostly just try to sleep (or read this board). Curious what others do.
For longer flights, sleep is my go-to. If things work out right, the flight attendant will wake me up just prior to landing.

For shorter flights I suck it up and just wait for the time to pass. Kinda like Puddy.

1740667417003.png
 
Last edited:

Lion84

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2021
438
627
93
I get my window seat (hopefully exit row...though with the recent happenings, I may change that strategy as I can't be trusted to help anyone), toss on the headphones, and conk out during a podcast. If i wake up, there's another podcast in waiting. I often make it a goal to not say more than 10 words to anyone on the plane unless there's someone I know also on the flight. And since I never get seated next to any attractive women, I usually meet my goal.
I always book emergency row window because as I tell them when I board I am willing and able to lead the way off the plane in the event of an emergency - and I almost never speak to anyone else - I have found most poeple are just as unintersting as me.
 

LionJim

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
11,525
15,798
113
How are you feeling Jim? Are you right side up or upside down? Anymore, long flights leave me with several “ adjustment” days particularly at the end of a long trip.
I’ve had better days. I caught a cold in Chiang Mai, which didn’t help. Also, a big part of my cheerful disposition is dependent on my being regular and this has been compromised something fierce. I’ll bounce back in a couple of days, thanks for asking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Tgar

STPGopherfan

Well-known member
Oct 31, 2021
712
990
93
Been flying a bunch lately, mostly 2-3 hour flights. I mostly just try to sleep (or read this board). Curious what others do.
I guess it's all of the above. If I'm with my wife it's almost certain it is a conversation. Regarding talking to strangers, I don't often do it, but I must mention that one of the best conversations I had was with two random Penn State students/ fans. Solid young students.
 

Metal Mike

Member
Oct 28, 2021
141
224
43
I keep looking at the gages and instruments in front of me while talking on the radio. I also keep moving this thing that looks like a steering wheel in front of me and moving this other thing in the middle of the consol.

Sorry, but as a pilot I was thinking on how I spent a lot of time in the air.
 

Midnighter

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2021
10,183
16,221
113
The best is on an overnight to Paris or Frankfurt and everyone is lights out but I'm watching a movie with my glass of wine; then head to the galley where the attendants are hanging out and get a top up and chat a bit. The top ups are usually heavy too. Then, finish movie, wine, and conk out. We usually pay for hotels beginning the night before we arrive because when you get in at 6am to CDG, you want to hit the rack for a couple hours before lunch.
 

Steve JG

Well-known member
Mar 25, 2024
314
534
93
Been flying a bunch lately, mostly 2-3 hour flights. I mostly just try to sleep (or read this board). Curious what others do.
just back from Kauai 2 days ago. Was an ON from Honolulu to Detroit, Made upgrade to 1st, but on Delta 1 is not that great truthfully. Drank some wine, watched some movies, slept a little. Usually do not work on flights any more unless really up against some type deadline. Some combination read, watch movies, sleep and will only drink if do not have anything important on landing.
 

razpsu

Well-known member
Oct 19, 2021
8,486
10,739
113
Putting 3 girls in college so right now we are back seat against the wall with my knees jammed into the seat in front of me. When the person reclines I groan. Fun watching the people come back to go to the bathroom. 🥲To think I used to travel in the front, business or first class.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: STPGopherfan

STPGopherfan

Well-known member
Oct 31, 2021
712
990
93
Putting 3 girls in college so right now we are back seat against the wall with my knees jammed into the seat in front of me. When the person reclines I groan. Fun watching the people come back to go to the bathroom. 🥲To think I used to travel in the front, business or first class.
Reminds me of my last two flights on American Airlines.
 
  • Like
Reactions: razpsu

LionsAndBears

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2021
1,814
3,183
113
I spent most of my flights trying to keep my 14 year old daughter with Autism from bothering everyone on the plane. My efforts usually yield mixed results. Thankfully most people understand that she has special needs and her misbehavior isn't intentional but every now and then you get someone who wants to make it an issue.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LionJim

MtNittany

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2021
1,891
2,551
113
I assumed Mile High Club and Fireball would be at the top of most lists.