Top Flight Movies (and TV Series) to Watch on Busy US Plane Routes

In a recent study conducted by GambleSpot team, we found that the most popular domestic routes in the US consisted of Atlanta to Orlando in the number one spot and Atlanta to New York on the 10th spot. But more than this, GambleSpot also found out that the most popular movies on each domestic route were varied, spanning blockbusters such as Barbie and Oppenheimer to classic favorites like Finding Nemo and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

The Top Domestic Routes (and Corresponding Airlines) in the US (May 2024)

Since GambleSpot also factored in the top movies to watch based on the destination, we found that from Denver to Las Vegas, for instance, the best movie to watch on a Delta Airlines flight was Priscilla, based on the wife of Las Vegas legend Elvis Presley. Other movies chosen based on the duration and destination were Barbie, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, and Oppenheimer – for those on United Airlines flights between New York to Los Angeles, Barbie (114 minutes), Mission Impossible (163 minutes) and Oppenheimer (180 minutes) fit the bill, as the flight takes 337 minutes, leaving room for other flight necessities. Barbie is set in fictional California, which is fitting for those who are going to LA for business or pleasure, while parts of Oppenheimer were set in California as well – and Mission Impossible is just a thrill to watch, wherever you may be going.

It can be noted, however, that GambleSpot also chose several TV series because the flights were too short for a movie - Las Vegas to Los Angeles on United Airlines, which is only 78 minutes, is ideal for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (45 minutes), and Modern Family (22 minutes), and The Big Bang Theory (22 minutes) is perfect to watch on the major domestic route from LA to San Francisco, which only takes 85 minutes on United. All the flights are nonstop, by the way.

Here’s what we came up with:

The Methodology

GambleSpot gathered data on the top 10 US domestic flights from OAG as well as their flight duration, which was readily available from the top US carriers - namely United Airlines, Delta Airlines, and American Airlines. Then we collated this information and referred to the websites of the top US airlines for the best nonstop flights from each airline. We came up with the list of the top domestic routes and the best airlines offering the fastest nonstop flight of each, and we added the corresponding list of movies and TV series to watch on these flights. We tried to find the best movies and TV series that matched both the duration and the destination. The aim of this research was to find out what the top 10 domestic flights in the US are, as of May, 2024, and another aim was to discover what the top airlines show on each popular domestic route. Then, armed with this information, we suggested movies for each domestic flight that would fit the length of flight time AND the destination.

Gathering the information was a challenge, but according to Andriy Nezdropa, the CEO of Adwise Partners LLC, the company behind GambleSpot, it was worth it. He goes on to say, "As the CEO of the vibrant company, I understand the nuances of travel entertainment, especially on domestic flights where time is limited and choices can be overwhelming. We've all been there - settled into our seats on a plane, realizing we've forgotten to download a movie or struggling to pick one from the plethora of movies, all without wasting precious minutes. Recognizing this common predicament, we've crafted a comprehensive guide tailored to enhance your inflight experience. Whether it’s a quick hop from Las Vegas to Los Angeles or a longer journey from New York to San Francisco, our curated list of movies and TV series ensures that your entertainment choices are not only quick but also delightful. By aligning the film lengths and themes with the duration and destination of your flight, we hope to maximize your enjoyment and efficiency. This guide isn't just about suggesting what to watch; it's about enhancing your overall travel experience, making every minute on-board as enjoyable as possible."

Alongside watching top movie picks during your flights, you can enjoy free demos of slot games through GambleSpot's free slots section. This feature provides a convenient and fun way to pass the time while flying across the US. Accessible via your mobile device, these social casinos offer a variety of slot experiences, from classic styles to the latest themed video slots. Adding this option to your travel plans can make those long hours in the air much more enjoyable.