Flights to Gardner, Massachusetts from

If you're not prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Gardner. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like box cutters, razor blades, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could harm passengers, such as swords and batons, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and opt for shoes that are roomy, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Wander around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

Being organized before your flight will help make your trip to Gardner quick and painless. Below are some handy tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be shown to security personnel. Have them close by so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices will also need to go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• 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 in the cabin.