Flights to Alford, Great Barrington from

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a hassle-free start to your getaway in Alford. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be easy if you take the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean pair of socks and a good read. Next, leave space in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, any daily medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow too. Lastly, don't forget to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, drills, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like golf clubs, and items that could injure passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, won't be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The trick is to be well organized before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Alford before you know it. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to keep your travel documents and passport within close reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.