Flights to Burr Ridge, Chicago from NT$6,903

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints for a trouble-free start to your getaway in Burr Ridge. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a stress-free experience if you take the right stuff. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a spare change of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, find room in your bag for your phone and charger, your important medications and perhaps a neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and pick flat, enclosed footwear like slip-ons.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-distance flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

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

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass at hand. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often 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 inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.