You rush to the airport and manage to get through all of the chaos before getting settled in for a potentially long and dull flight. But now what?
After you’ve seen every worthwhile movie, it can feel like you have nothing left to do but sit in silence and try to flip through the pages of a magazine. It’s time to boot up your devices and get online.
There was a time being online during a flight never crossed our minds or was just a passing fantasy. But there are actually more productive things you can do on your flight than sitting idling by and passing the time watching every movie you can find.
Recharge your mind with these three fun and productive ways to make the most of your Wi-Fi on your next flight.
QUICK TIPS TO GET CONNECTED IN THE AIR
Now that you have a plan of action for how to pass the time on your flight, it’s time to arm yourself with a few quick tips to get the most out of your Wi-Fi connection. Let’s start with the airline you pick for your next trip. According to reporting from Fortune, Delta Airlines tops the list of the most connected airlines, and United’s Boeing 737’s offer real high-speed wireless access.
Cost can also be a factor. Look into purchasing pre-paid in-flight wireless in advance directly from the airline’s website or its wireless provider. You should also remember to close out any applications or programs that may eat up unnecessary wireless and slow down your devices.
But if you’re going to use your smartphone on your next flight, the provider you use also matters. For example, if you’re a T-Mobile customer, you can even get around paying for in-flight Wi-Fi altogether with T-Mobile’s Gogo In-flight Internet option. This way you can truly maximize your in-flight Wi-Fi without worrying about skyrocketing fees.
TEACH YOURSELF A NEW SKILL
It’s difficult to learn a new skill or honor your passions when you’re busy working, managing a social life or taking care of your family. But instead of staring at the back of the seat in front of you, tapping into the in-flight Wi-Fi is the perfect time to fire up your laptop or tablet and start learning.
YouTube offers plenty of free tutorials on everything from learning Mandarin to building a blog from scratch. You can also leverage the online learning craze and sign-up for courses on Udemy or Skillshare to consume as many courses as you can get your hands on. By the time you land, you might be one step closer to mastering your favorite new subject.
CATCH UP WITH YOUR EMAILS
Even if you’re not on a business trip or have a backlog of work waiting for you after your trip, you can still get tons of busy work done on your flight with the help of some in-flight Wi-Fi.
Rethink what your work actually looks like and start cleaning up your email inbox, checking on outstanding Amazon orders, set up a doctor’s appointment or haircut online, and check everything off your to-do list. You can also add emailing friends and family that you just can’t seem to keep up with to the list and spend a few hours catching up on all of your correspondence. By the time your trip really takes off, you’ll feel a release of the weight of the world as you leave your flight totally unencumbered and ready for some fun.
HUNT DOWN THE BEST DEALS
Being a captive audience on a flight is the best time to meticulously work through the best deals for your trip. Whether you’re still looking for a hotel, a car rental or just want to find an off the beaten track attraction at a discount, your in-flight Wi-Fi can help you find it.
Sitting on an airline is when too much time on your hands really pays off. You’re probably too busy to cross-reference websites, forums, and blogs to score those discounts. But even if you don’t need deals for your trip, you can research how to do everything from lowering your home’s utility bills to finding a new cable provider.
The biggest issue with using your in-flight Wi-Fi is having enough time to get through all of the projects, work, and research you want before your flight lands. So, make every minute on your next flight count.