Flights to Broadalbin, New York from NT$32,165

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be challenging. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a comfortable start to your vacation in Broadalbin. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a pleasure if you've got all the right things. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a spare set of clothes and a good read. Next, make room in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, medications and maybe a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and matches, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by layering up, and wear slightly roomy, flat shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

It's simple — be prepared. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for a speedy trip through airport security. Look out Broadalbin, here you come:

• Keep your ID and boarding pass within easy reach. They're the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll be asked to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.