Ideas for useful things to do on long plane flights?

[ibmman]

This is something random but I thought it was sort of an interesting question and I'm curious about it.

What would you do that you might consider useful while on a long intercontinental plane flight? Other than sleep.

I want to see what other people think ( or do/will do/have done), because it seems there's probably a good bit of variety in activities for that.

Stems from randomly thinking of what I might do next time I go to Japan- since that flight seems like pretty much the longest 17 hours ever, and I have great trouble sleeping the entire time. Or reading the entire time. And I'd probably wouldn't be able to get myself to study for the entire time either. I thought about potentially outlining for if I were ever to write a book, but I'm not sure how reasonable that is...
I'd really love to just walk around the whole time, but unfortunately only the Airbus A380 has space for anything like that, and there aren't any of them in service to Japan quite yet.

Edit: Looks like ANA is looking to buy five of them to service New York - Tokyo, which would be perfect. Since it's got dual aisles I wonder if it'd be possible to just walk around in a reasonably sized rectangle without annoying anyone. I really can't sit for 17 hours.
The only one which goes to Japan currently goes to/from SIngapore. I don't know how I end up checking stuff about planes so often on wikipedia.

Comments

[cesarano.livejournal.com]

Actually play games on your DS maybe? :P

I dunno. Between playing games, sleeping and reading a book, I likely wouldn't do much that could be considered productive. Maybe working on something creative, like outlining a story as you said. It isn't always relatable (I have a comic I could work on, but you do not).

[suzuka-lee.livejournal.com]

I usually sleep, play DS games, and read on planes. You could also bring your laptop and work on any projects that don't require Internet. The Continental Airline plane I was on to Costa Rica actually had power outlets in some aisles for laptop use.

Variety helps

[(Anonymous)]

When I fly on long flights over 9 hours, I do fill the middle part between meals easily with sleep, but since you say you have trouble sleeping, here is what my friends who can't sleep do:
- watch movies
- play video games (handheld, laptop, in-flight entertainment options)
- walk the aisles, light stretching, socializing
Basically I would suggest thinking about what you enjoying at home after work and finding related things to bring with you. TV episodes for your iPod/iPhone? Favorite CDs you haven't listened to in awhile? A mag you've been meaning to read? Or online printouts about your destination?

I would love to hear how your time goes on your flights, especially since you can't sleep. Please stop by AirtimeFlying.com and let me know!

Thanks, and bon voyage,
Ashley