Plane Boredom, Be Gone! Discover the Ultimate Guide to In-Flight Games Bliss Without Irritating Your Fellow Passengers
by Stefanie Michaels
I’m that girl who loves to get on a plane, unplug and enjoy the downtime I don’t get anywhere else. I come prepared with things to do, especially updated app games that keep me busy on most flights I take.
I love the Candy Crush Soda version so much that I’ve leveled up to game #540, racking up all kinds of rewards and bonuses, also known as “gumball goodies,” for my wins. Fun!
While stuck in your seat, games on a plane are excellent ways to pass the time and keep you entertained during flights that seem to take forever. They can help chase the boredom that often comes with flying and also can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing a distraction from the confinement of being on a plane.
According to the National Institute of Health, scientific studies on games state they help mind sharpness and improve cognitive skills— some games require critical thinking and problem-solving.
With that, I share my top games I’ve played (and liked):
- Monument Valley – This game is great for planes because it is a visually stunning puzzle game that requires minimal interaction. No rando puzzle pieces to lose— it’s all via the app
- Words with Friends – A classic word game that is perfect for playing against friends. I like playing using a plane’s fly-fi/wifi and I can match up with friends playing elsewhere.
- Candy Crush Soda – Just one of the options in the Candy Crush games. It’s simple, yet addictive! Time flies by challenging players to level up, making it ideal for airplane travel.
- Angry Birds – These birds crack me up! It’s that classic game that is easy to get quickly and move onwards to higher levels.
- Sudoku – The puzzle game traveler’s can find in airline magazine, but this edition is app based. Warning: can get frustrating, but it’s perfect for keeping busy while in flight.
- Trivia Crack – A Jeopardy fan perhaps? This trivia game tests your knowledge against friends. *Flyfi is needed to access playtime
- Threes! – A simple and addictive puzzle game that is easy to pick up and play on a flight. Swipe tiles together to create the initial 3 then 6 and so on creating high-er number tiles.
- Minecraft – One of the most popular games with possibilities that are endless. Similar to Legos, it involves building different structures, resource gathering, then combat. Grab this app for long flights. *In survival mode, the goal is to stay alive.
TIP: These games are awesome because they can be played with a solo player, are easy to pick up and engage. Whether on a plane, at a coffee shop or home, they’re simply fun and challenging!
Did you know?
Some of the most successful and well-known players in the world of handheld video gaming include Daigo Umehara, Lee Young Ho, and Lee Sedol, all of whom have won numerous high-stakes tournaments, taking home total wins in hundreds of millions of dollars.
A little history?
The history of handheld video games dates back to the 1970s with the introduction of the first microprocessor-based electronic games. In 1979, Mattel released its “Auto Race” electronic handheld game, the first successful handheld electronic game.
During the 1980s, several companies, including Atari, Milton Bradley, and Coleco, released their handheld video games. In 1989, Nintendo released the Game Boy, one of the most popular handheld video game systems, and sold over 118 million units worldwide.
In the 1990s, companies like Sega and SNK entered the handheld gaming market with their systems. In the 2000s and 2010s, handheld gaming evolved with new technologies such as color displays, touchscreens, and motion control, and the rise of mobile gaming on smartphones and tablets.
