Best films to watch on a plane or during a flight delay

Flight delayed? Cancellation eating into your afternoon? You're not alone, and you're not going anywhere fast. The silver lining: you now have a legitimate excuse to sit down, open your phone or laptop, and watch something properly good.

The same goes if you're already in the air. A long-haul flight gives you something rare — uninterrupted hours with nowhere to be and a screen right in front of you. These films are built for exactly that. Long enough to fill a stretch of sky, good enough that you won't be watching the flight map every ten minutes.

Here are the best films to watch while you wait at the airport or settle into your seat — chosen for pace, easy viewing, and the ability to make an hour or two disappear completely.

First things first: know your rights

Before you hit play, take two minutes to check whether you're entitled to compensation. If your flight arrives more than 3 hours late at its final destination, was cancelled with less than 14 days' notice, or you were denied boarding, you may be able to claim up to €600 under EU261. It is important that the airline is at fault for the disruption in order for you to be eligible.

AirRefund.com/en handles the whole process on your behalf, on a no win, no fee basis. Check your eligibility now, then settle in for a film.

10 films worth watching while you wait

1. Catch Me If You Can (2002)

A true story about a con man who spent years impersonating a Pan Am pilot, a doctor, and a lawyer. All before the age of 21. Steven Spielberg directs, Leonardo DiCaprio stars, Tom Hanks chases him across continents. It moves fast, it's charming, and it feels shorter than it is. A great pick if you have two hours to fill, whether you're at the gate or somewhere over the Atlantic.

2. Knives Out (2019)

A murder mystery that reveals its killer early, then spends the rest of its runtime making you question everything. Rian Johnson's screenplay is sharp, the cast is excellent, and the plot keeps turning just when you think you've got it figured out. Hard to put down once it starts, which is exactly what you want on a long flight.

3. Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

One of the most rewatchable action films of recent years. Pete Mitchell is back, older and still refusing to follow the rules, now training a new generation of pilots for a near-impossible mission. The aerial footage was shot in real jets and it shows. Loud, fast, and enormously satisfying — ideal if you want something that demands nothing of you except attention.

4. Bridesmaids (2011)

Still one of the funniest comedies of the last 20 years. Kristen Wiig co-wrote and stars as a maid of honour slowly losing her grip as her best friend's wedding spirals around her. Very easy to watch, very difficult not to laugh at, and at just over two hours it will see out most delays or carry you through a good chunk of a long-haul.

5. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

A daydreaming photo editor quits the routine and sets off on a real adventure across Iceland and beyond. Beautifully shot, gently paced, and quietly inspiring. If you're sitting in a grey airport terminal right now (or staring out at clouds), this one will make you feel better about where you're headed.

6. Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Glossy, warm, and genuinely funny. A New York economics professor travels to Singapore with her boyfriend and discovers his family is one of the wealthiest in Asia. The kind of film you enjoy far more than you expect to, with enough colour and charm to lift a frustrating wait or make a long-haul feel significantly shorter.

7. Sully (2016)

Tom Hanks as Captain Chesley Sullenberger, who landed a stricken Airbus A320 on the Hudson River in 2009 and saved 155 lives. A quietly gripping drama about what real composure looks like under extreme pressure. Reassuring viewing before a flight, if you can stomach the irony.

8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Visually unlike anything else in animation, with a story that earns its emotional moments rather than just chasing them. Even if superhero films aren't usually your thing, this one surprises. Short enough to watch in a single airport sitting and good enough that you won't mind if it runs into boarding.

9. Flight (2012)

Denzel Washington plays a pilot who pulls off an extraordinary emergency landing and saves almost everyone on board. The investigation that follows is where the real story begins. A strong drama with a genuinely great central performance. Yes, it involves a plane. Yes, it is still worth watching while you wait for yours, or during the flight itself.

10. The Intern (2015)

Robert De Niro joins a fashion startup as a 70-year-old senior intern and quietly becomes indispensable. Warm without being sentimental, smart without being heavy. At nearly two hours, it is a reliable pick for a long wait or the quieter middle stretch of a long-haul when you want something easy to watch but not mindless.

Don't forget to claim what you're owed

If your delay runs to more than 3 hours at your final destination, your cancelled flight came with less than 14 days' notice, or you were refused boarding, you may be entitled to up to €250, €400, or €600 in compensation under EU261.

AirRefund.com/en takes care of the claim from start to finish. You don't pay anything unless your claim succeeds.

Start your claim with AirRefund.com/en while you wait. It only takes a few minutes and could be the most valuable thing you do today.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best films to watch during a long flight delay?

Go for something with a strong story and good pacing: thrillers, comedies, and feel-good dramas tend to work well in a noisy terminal. Knives Out, Catch Me If You Can, and Bridesmaids are all solid picks from the list above.

What are the best films for a long-haul flight?

Films that run between 90 minutes and two hours tend to work best. Long enough to fill a stretch of flying time, short enough to follow comfortably. Catch Me If You Can, Crazy Rich Asians, and Knives Out all sit in that range and are easy to enjoy in a cabin setting.

Can I claim compensation for a flight delay?

You may be entitled to compensation if your flight arrived more than 3 hours late at its final destination. Under EU261, eligible passengers can claim up to €600 depending on flight distance. Check your eligibility with AirRefund.com/en to find out.

What should I do while waiting for a delayed flight?

Check your rights first. If your delay exceeds 3 hours on arrival, you may have a valid compensation claim and AirRefund.com/en can handle it on your behalf (no win, no fee). After that, find a comfortable spot, grab something to eat if the airline provides it, and settle into a film from the list above.

Am I entitled to compensation for a cancelled flight?

You may be entitled to compensation if the airline notified you less than 14 days before your scheduled departure. The amount depends on the distance of the flight and how much notice you received. Start your claim with AirRefund.com/en to see if your flight qualifies.

This content was written with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by a member of our air passenger rights team before publication.