Tips For Overseas Flights

Traveling overseas can be overwhelming, here are some helpful hints to make it a more enjoyable experience...

Be sure to buy a large bottle of water at a vendor near your departure gate to keep hydrated as the pressure in the cabin can be dehydrating.
Other useful items to take in your carry-on include wipes for cleaning your hands and refreshing your face, a small pack of tissues, as the changes in plane temperature can make your nose run, eye drops, chap stick and a travel size tube of hand lotion will also help with the dryness.  
Every one says not to have an alcoholic drink. Go ahead. Have a cocktail before dinner.  It will relax you so you can fall asleep easier.
If you tend to have trouble sleeping, bring something like Dramamine or Benadryl, as it is hard to fall asleep.  Do not take anything like Ambien  if you will have a connecting flight.   While waiting to board, passengers have fallen back asleep and missed their flight. Also please note, do not experiment and take something you have never had before. Another option is to try to take a few naps rather than forcing yourself to sleep at a particular time. Consider purchasing a travel pillow that wraps around your neck for better support. Still take the pillow provided by the airline, as you can use it for your lower back or to put on the arm rest to lean on.
Try to get the window seat so you disturb someone else rather than having them disturb you.  Window is also preferable because if you have an aisle seat people will tend to touch the back on your seat to walk more steadily to the back rest room.
Wear socks for comfort while sleeping...it will not only keep your feet warm, but help with circulation. Also, be sure to wear very comfortable shoes as your feet will swell. I have seen people wear tight boots and not be able to close them when they arrive to their destination.
You will be served dinner and breakfast, but please carry some breakfast snack bars as it can be a long  time from the light breakfast aloft until you eat your next meal.
If arriving in Europe on a Sunday, carry extra snacks, as some places open late.
Bring a good book, magazine, an iPod, crossword puzzles...they all help pass the time.
Bring your own head phones if you want to listen to the music or watch movies...the ear phones provided by the airline do not block out sound as well.

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