Last month, I traveled to Europe. Besides the usual plane tickets buying, housing booking and packing, I decided this time to take some extra time preparing for the long hours I would be spending on the plane and in airports.

Long flights used to be an exception, and thus an adventure. But they keep getting more frequent, and less fun. So I'm starting to get more serious in anticipating them, especially on the flight entertainment side.

First, I already have a full reading list sent directly to my tablet as soon as items get available at my local library (both e- and audio-books).

Then, I downloaded a couple TV shows & movies (I have stopped trusting airlines and relying on their watchlist/screens).

Also, my favorite and most recently downloaded music is always automatically synced on my phone.

Lastly, as you now know I'm a podcasts fan, so I've added them to the equation.

I continue listening to my old favorites, added a couple new ones I discovered recently and subscribed to a few that have been recommended to me.

Here are the podcasts that I have been listening to on the plane, between Portland, New-York and Geneva.

1. #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso
This was the podcast I was waiting for impatiently when I published my first article about podcasts. Besides being my star twin (we were born on the same day of the same year), Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal and author of #Girlboss (and soon Nastygalaxy) launched #girlboss radio where she interviews world-class Girlbosses who have made their mark in creative, cultural, and business ventures to extract solid advice from the lessons they've learned along the way.
I love discovering awesome entrepreneurs, what their first job was and how they started their professional career. The candid introductive discussion between Sophia and her friend Liz Carey is priceless & the #girlbossmoment of the listeners are a great source of inspiration!
Favorite episode: Sallie Krawcheck, Co-founder & CEO Ellevest, Former CEO Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
Category: Society & Culture

2. Modern Love
In the podcast based on The New York Times’ popular series of weekly reader-submitted essay, host Meghna Chakrabarti and Modern Love editor Daniel Jones go deep, sharing some of the best stories about love today, with readings by notable personalities and updates from the essayists themselves.
I shed tears on various occasions, be prepared!
Favorite episode: One Last Swirl
Category: Society & Culture

3. Women of the hour by Lena Dunham
Lena Dunham hosts this podcast miniseries about friendship, love, work, bodies and more.
This is a pretty short series, and it left me wanting more. After reading Not That Kind of Girl, subscribing to the Lenny newsletter and waiting patiently for the final season of Girls, I can't wait to see what Dunham's got for us next.
Favorite episode: Lena & Lola Pellegrino
Category: Personal Journals

4. Serial
Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig. Serial unfolds one story over the course of a whole season. The show follows the plot and characters wherever they lead, through many surprising twists and turns. Sarah won't know what happens at the end of the story until she gets there, not long before you get there with her.
I've already talked about the first season earlier. Season 2 focuses on the story of U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl who was held captive by the Taliban for five years (Homeland, anyone?). The interviews with the protagonist, phone calls to the Talibans and latest episodes where Koenig reports from court for updates on the first season kept me on the edge of my (car) seat.
Category: News & Politics

5. Pardon my French by Garance Doré
Pardon My French is a podcast hosted by Garance Doré, founder of the eponymous website, illustrator and photographer. Grounded in her love for fashion, creativity and self-expression, she shares stories and her point-of-view on everyday subjects with her friends and guests, in a relaxed and open conversation.
I was pretty disappointed by the sound quality and structure of the first episodes, but Doré and her team now seem to have gotten into their stride. As a long term reader of the blog and a fellow Frenchy, I am fascinated to discover another facet of Doré's personality and eager to find in another media the sense of humor and authenticity that has made her known around the world.
Favorite episode: La Parisienne - Isabel Marant & Caroline de Maigret
Category: Society & Culture

6. The Portland Sustainability Podcast & The Portland Cool Podcast by Sean Barron & Tony Hair
I just discovered these two local podcasts and cannot wait to listen to more episodes about what makes Portland cool & green. It already inspired be to do some more volunteering and sign up for a Master Recycler program, so there's that!
Favorite episode: Leave no Trace While Camping with Ruby
Category: Natural Sciences

7. Magic Lessons by Elizabeth Gilbert
My friend Rachel recommended me this podcast and Gilbert's Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear is also of my 2016 reading list. I need to dive more into the podcast but can so far say that Elizabeth's laugh is contagious and that I am utterly jealous of all the talented & famous friends she can rely on for advice.
Favorite episode: Sexy, Dirty, Nasty, Wicked
Category: Literature

8. Dear Sugar Radio by Cheryl Strayed
Another friend told me that this podcast will be live from PDX on Friday 8th July. I guess that's enough of a good reason to start listening to it, besides the fact that I am still obsessed by Strayed's Wild and keep crossing paths with the Pacific Coast Trail (see what I did here?). Get your tickets!
Favorite episode: TBD
Category: News & Politics

Finally, there is one thing I still need to do to make this whole music and podcast-listening experience the most enjoyable possible for my next trip. It is to find a sustainable replacement for my distressed mobile phone cover and the best possible earphones now that I've decided that noise-canceling properties are more important than sound quality. Your recommendations are welcome. I'll probably share my selection in the shop as soon as I've finished my research.

What about you? How do you make long plane rides more bearable? I'd love to hear your tips!