Flying to Europe means crossing time zones and can upset anyone's circadian rhythms, particularly those of people coming from the West Coast and other far-away locations. To be well rested when the plane lands, try to get as much sleep on the flight as possible and avoid caffeine. Besides increasing the heartbeat, the LA Times warns that caffeine dehydrates the body, particularly in those coping with dry plane air, making sleep difficult. To counteract dehydration, drink copious amounts of water starting the day before the flight and avoid alcohol. The Gadling website recommends packing a pair of pajama pants for long haul flights or, at the very least, wear loose, comfortable clothing to let the body breathe and relax. To minimize distractions, wear an eye mask to block out light and earplugs to ensure silence.
Those flying during the day and travelers not intending to sleep the entire flight can take advantage of an opportunity to prepare for their destination. Bring a couple of guidebooks on the plane and go through them to find good restaurants, top museums and other place of interest, planning out a rough sketch of the days ahead to maximize efficiency on the road. To impress locals, study from a language dictionary or phrasebook to learn a few niceties in the local tongue. Use index cards to make flashcards and create a small cheat sheet of top phrases to keep handy.
Once the plane lands, there is still much to be done before embarking on a tour. Travel with a pen handy and ask the flight attendant for a local customs form and prepare it in advance. You can avoid wasting time on the ground, filling out paperwork at the immigration counter. Also, place passports, hotel information and other important paperwork in a safe but accessible location to prevent a frenzied search when speaking with a customs agent.
A transatlantic flight can mean lots of time spent sitting, with no physical activity. Travelers need to be mindful of deep vein thrombosis when flying, as the sedentary aspect of long flights can put them at risk of a blood clot which can form in the legs and move to other areas of the body, according to Web MD. Frequent fliers might consider purchasing compression socks to aid circulation and all travelers should drink plenty of water while flying and flex their toes and feet to keep blood moving.
