Airplanes take us many places — home to visit family, back to the real world after a wet and wild vacation, and most of all, back to the stone age, thanks to their
For some of us, starring in our own sweet dreams is the best entertainment while others prefer to journal away. Whatever the product, if it makes the flight time go quicker, then it makes the list. Whether it's the Y2K coloring book keeping one writer calm during takeoff or the pocket-size game console that our strategist's boyfriend loves, the following in-flight entertainment picks are worth your while.
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CredevZone Handheld Game Console
"While this doesn’t keep me personally entertained — I get a bit motion sick in the air, so all I can really do is close my eyes and listen to music — this retro-inspired handheld game console does entertain my boyfriend who travels at least three times a month. The pocket-size gaming system charges for hours of play and includes so many of our childhood favorite Playstation and Gameboy games (think Pokemon and Mario Kart)." —Kate Spencer, Senior Affiliate Strategist
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CredevZone Handheld Game Console, $, available at Amazon
LOVELEDI Portable Charger Power Bank
"Although my power bank doesn’t keep me entertained, it does keep my phone — which is filled with hours of downloaded Netflix and Hulu shows — charged all flight long. I refuse to let my phone die on five-hour+ trips and panic about being alone ever. Again. With my powerbanks, I actually look forward to my usual six-hour-long flight back to California. " —Alexandra Polk, Lifestyle Affiliate Writer
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LOVELEDI Portable Charger Power Bank, $, available at Amazon
Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow
"Travel makes me sleepy, no matter what mode of transportation I always end up falling asleep. Thus, a neck pillow has been on my radar for a long time because I am tired of waking up with a broken neck after a long journey! It wasn’t until our affiliate director, Sarah, gave me this grand thing that I actually used one instead of a wadded-up sweatshirt. And boy! What a wonderful neck pillow this is. The strap secures my head, and my neck is the perfect length for the pillow to fit comfortably and keep my head in place when I go to sleep. Not to mention, the support on this thing is amazing. I even like to use it when working or watching shows just to keep my neck comfy. Long live neck pillows!" —
Becca Sax, Affiliate Coordinator
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Cabeau Evolution Classic Travel Neck Pillow, $, available at Amazon
Bose QuietComfort 45 Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Canceling Headphones
"I use these noise-canceling headphones anywhere and everywhere to keep me entertained, from listening to music to tune out chatter at work when I need to get in the zone to watching Netflix on my phone while meal prepping for the week. And I will 100% be bringing them with me for my upcoming summer vacation. The noise canceling setting is so amazing, so I’ll be able to peacefully enjoy the shows I pre-downloaded on Netflix while drowning out the loud hum of the plane’s air conditioning." —Victoria Montalti, Associate Affiliate Writer
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Bose QuietComfort 45 Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones, $, available at Amazon
Sony Wireless Industry Leading Headphones
"I cannot even begin to express how essential these headphones are for me in my regular life, much less a flight. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing, but the TikTok-viral headphones are also good headphones. My music sounds crisp with the highest quality bass I’ve ever experienced. I’m a big music fan; creating playlists for each moment, obsession and month in my life. So, headphones are my main entertainment, whether it’s listening to the aforementioned music or plugging them in to watch some airline-provided media (shoutout to Delta for always having my favorite movie available). And oh god, the noise-cancelling is so important. I don’t think I could survive traveling without it. Everyone knows as soon as you enter a plane everyone gets 100% more annoying than they are in regular life, so being able to escape to my own silent world is everything to me." —Mercedes Viera, Associate Deals Writer
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Sony Wireless Industry Leading Headphones, $, available at Amazon
Audible Subscription
"As much as I’d love to be a person who can read a novel cover-to-cover on a long flight, I find planes a less-than-relaxing environment to enjoy physical books in. My beloved Audible membership has helped me feel like I’m still being productive when I’m flying by allowing me to enjoy books and podcasts in the air while tuning out the noises around me. It’s also a great alternative to physical books for anyone who doesn’t want to overload their luggage and a lifesaver if you plan on doing a lot of driving once you reach your destination. And yes, as the definitive authority on all things book-related (kiddinggggg), for anyone who might be questioning it: Listening to an audiobook does count as reading it." —Sarah Crow, Affiliate Director
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Audible Books & Originals, $, available at Amazon
Apple iPad (9th Generation)
"Aside from being a Grandma and instantly hitting snooze when I'm nestled into my seat, my go-to for keeping me entertained during flights is using my iPad. I currently have the iPad Pro, but any iPad would do. I like to take this time to catch up on the 256+ YouTube videos that I've saved to my Watch Later list or binge-watch an early 2000s rom-com." —Vivien Lee, Affiliate Fashion Writer
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Apple iPad (9th Generation), $, available at Amazon
Sockwell Circulator Moderate Graduated Compression Sock
"Lately, compression socks are rippling across social media (let’s be real, TikTok) and TV (*pans to Succession’s Frank and Karl slipping on compression socks on the infamous flight to Norway) and I, for one, am thrilled. Wearing compression socks was originally a suggestion by an older family member to wear on cross-country flights to promote circulation and reduce swelling. It saves me a lot of aggravation on long flights where I’m sitting for hours, and the chance to stretch my legs is limited. " —Clare Palo, Senior Affiliate Associate, Audience Development
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Sockwell Circulator Moderate Graduated Compression Sock, $, available at Amazon
Tell Me Lies: A Novel By Carola Lovering
"Flights are my favorite time to catch up on two things: Reading or watching movies that I missed out on in theaters. Even for long-haul flights, I like to minimize screen time as much as possible, so I’ll always bring a book (or two) and some print versions of my favorite magazines to devour in the air. There’s something so complex about being between two places inflight that really helps me get immersed in the universe of a good book. As much as I try, I can’t seem to get into the Kindle thing, but it sure would help me save room in my carry-on bag…" — Karina Hoshikawa, Senior Writer
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Carola Lovering Tell Me Lies: A Novel, $, available at Amazon
The Y2K Pop Coloring Book By Hello Harlot & Christina Haberkern
"I am not a huge fan of flying and tend to get anxious, especially during takeoff and landing. Since those fall within the times I have to stow away my electronics, I find that doing something with my hands helps calm my mind. A fun adult coloring book (and a pack of colored pencils) is a staple in my carry-on. It barely takes up any room, and it’s something that I can easily kill an hour or two of time with. I also love that coloring books come for every kind of interest. I got this Y2K one for my birthday last year, and it’s been a joy to color in." —Charlotte Lewis, Sexual Health & Wellness Writer
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Christina Haberkern, Hello Harlot Y2K Pop Coloring Book, $, available at Amazon
C.R. Gibson Navy Blue Leather Journal Notebook
"To me, long flights are the perfect time to contemplate life and get organized. I use the idle hours to make to-do lists, clear up storage on my phone, and set my intentions. One of my favorite things to do is make a month-by-month plan of all the life admin I need to do, but also curate a list of nice things I am looking forward to in that month, such as vacations or friend reunions. It’s so satisfying for future me to look back on." —Venus Wong, Senior Travel Writer
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C.R. Gibson Navy Blue Leather Journal Notebook, $, available at Amazon
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