- Mr Plane Guy
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
The Best Podcasts and Audiobooks to Download Before a Flight That Make Time Fly
What to listen to on short-haul, long-haul and overnight flights, without relying on Wi-Fi
By Mr Plane Guy | Travel Hacker & Plane Honest Reviews
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you sign up to Audible through one of them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog flying (and funds my airport Pret habit).
If you’ve ever boarded a flight thinking “I’ll just see what’s on the inflight screen”, you already know how this usually ends.
A frozen system, a film you’ve seen twice, or Wi-Fi that costs more than your seat selection.
That’s why I now download podcasts and audiobooks before every flight especially for long-haul and overnight journeys.
This guide covers exactly what to listen to before a flight, based on how long you’re in the air, and why Audible is one of the easiest ways to sort your entertainment before you even leave home.
Can You Listen to Podcasts on Audible?
Yes and a lot of travellers don’t realise this.
When people search for audible podcasts or listen to podcasts on Audible, what they’re really asking is whether Audible works like a podcast app and whether it’s usable offline.
Audible includes:
thousands of podcasts
Audible Originals
audiobooks
Everything can be downloaded in advance and listened to offline, which makes it ideal for flying, where Wi-Fi is unreliable or simply not worth paying for.
Start your 3-month Audible trial today and turn your next trip into a story worth listening to.
Why Download Podcasts and Audiobooks on Audible Before a Flight?
Audio works particularly well when flying because:
you don’t need Wi-Fi
you don’t need a seatback screen
it’s easier on your eyes than watching films
it’s far less stressful on overnight flights
Once you start flying with audio instead of screens, it’s hard to go back.
Download Your Flight Listening in Advance
If you want to board with everything ready, no Wi-Fi, no inflight screen roulette, no last-minute scrambling, Audible is one of the easiest ways to do it.
If you’ve got a flight coming up, the free trial is an easy way to test it without commitment.
Best Podcasts for Short-Haul Flights (Under 3 Hours)
Perfect for:
UK to Europe flights
domestic routes
early morning or late evening departures
What works best on short flights
podcasts you can pause easily
30–45 minute episodes
light, engaging listening
Plane Tip: If you want something lighter than a podcast, you can download TikToks to watch offline.
TikTok now lets you download up to 200 videos at a time, which works out at around 20–30 minutes of short-form entertainment, perfect for boarding, taxiing, or a quick hop.
How to download TikToks for a flight:
Open the TikTok app
Go to Profile → Menu → Settings & privacy
Tap Offline videos
Choose how many videos to download
Download on Wi-Fi before you leave home
It’s not a replacement for podcasts or audiobooks, but it’s a great filler for short flights or when you don’t want to commit to anything longer.
What I recommend
The Rest Is Politics- smart, current, easy to dip into
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett- ideal for one solid episode gate-to-gate
Off Menu with Ed Gamble and James Acaster-light, funny, zero effort listening
These are ideal if you want something engaging without committing to a full audiobook.
Medium-Haul Flights (3–6 Hours)
This is where films start to drag and audio really shines.
Best options for medium-haul flights
one complete audiobook
or a podcast series you can listen to back-to-back
What I recommend
The Rest Is History- brilliant storytelling for a full flight block
Dan Snow’s History Hit-easy to dip in and out of
Short History Of… -perfect if you like clear beginnings and endings
With everything downloaded in advance, you can listen uninterrupted from pushback to landing.
Best Audiobooks & Podcasts for Long-Haul Flights (7–14 Hours)
If you fly long-haul even once a year, this is where podcasts and audiobooks are a genuine game-changer.
Why audio beats inflight entertainment
no screen fatigue
no adverts
no awkward headphone sockets
you can listen with your eyes closed
What I recommend
The Magnus Archives – gripping serialised storytelling
MrBallen: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories – excellent pacing for long sessions
Casefile True Crime – calm narration, ideal for overnight stretches
This is exactly why I don’t rely on inflight entertainment anymore. I download everything before I travel and listen offline the whole way.
Get Audible free and download your long-haul listening in advance
What to Listen to on Overnight Flights (So You Actually Sleep)
Overnight flights are where most people make the mistake of watching just one more episode and arrive exhausted.
Better options for overnight flights
calm narration
familiar voices
audio you don’t need to “watch”
Plane Tip: If you struggle to sleep on planes, the Just Sleep stories are especially good, calm voices, no plot to follow, and perfect for drifting in and out without reaching for a screen.
What I recommend
Just Sleep-Bedtime Stories for Adults
Nothing Much Happens
The Sleepy Bookshelf
These are ideal if you want to drift in and out of sleep without staring at a screen at 2am.
Podcasts for Nervous Flyers
If flying makes you anxious, audio can be a huge help.
Calm, reassuring listens
Happy Place
ZOE Science & Nutrition
They provide distraction without overstimulation, far better than watching turbulence maps or obsessing over the flight tracker.
Why Audible Works So Well for Flying
I’m not a fan of unnecessary subscriptions, but Audible is one I keep specifically for travel.
It works well on flights because:
everything can be downloaded offline
you get one audiobook per month to keep
thousands of podcasts and Originals are included
it’s easy to cancel if you don’t use it
If you fly even a few times a year, it’s one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your journey.
Audible Free Trial (Worth It Before a Trip)
If you’re new to Audible, the free trial is ideal before flying:
one free audiobook (yours to keep)
unlimited access to thousands of podcasts and Originals
perfect for testing on your next flight
Plane Tip: If you hate inflight screens, dodgy Wi-Fi, or arriving with a headache. Download your listening before you leave home. Podcasts and audiobooks turn flying time into actual downtime.
👉 “Not into audiobooks? Amazon Music is also just 99p for 3 months right now, perfect for building the ultimate holiday playlist or drowning out crying babies on flights.”
How to Download and Listen Offline While Travelling
Download the Audible App on your phone or tablet.
Choose your audiobooks with over 200,000 titles, you’ll never run out of options.
Download before you leave so you can listen without internet access.
Use headphones or a portable speaker for private or shared listening.
Pro tip: Create a travel playlist! Combine a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and podcasts for a journey that flies by.
Final Boarding Call
If you already plan your seat, your bag and how to avoid airport stress, what you listen to on board matters just as much.
For me, podcasts and audiobooks are now part of my pre-flight routine, especially, on long-haul and overnight flights.
If you want to board knowing your entertainment is sorted:
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Hello I’m Paul a travel and flight expert, I spent most of my career working in and around planes with 15 years providing top-notch service with a London-based airline. I became an expert in travel after soaring across the Atlantic up to 10 times a month!
I’m now, producing travel content, reaching millions of viewers monthly. Reporting on travel news, sharing travel tips, reviews, and deals with a sprinkle of humour and a whole lot of authenticity!
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