Flights to La Mesa, from NT$4,955

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be challenging. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your time in La Mesa. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free flight experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, be sure to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible option, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

The secret is to be well organized before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to La Mesa in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass within close reach. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be 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 sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board.