Flights to Blaine, Bridgeport from NT$26,991

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well enough. Check out these essential travel tips that will help get your Blaine escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a hassle-free flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, cash and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, flares and poisons, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Blaine, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before anything else. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.