Flights to Hoover, Birmingham from NT$12,272

We've rounded up all the info you need to make your flight as enjoyable as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be hightailing it through airport security and exploring Hoover before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great travel experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a good read. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Pointed or sharp objects, like your trusty pocket knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and gasoline, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Go for slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a jacket in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended 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 promote better circulation.

The secret is to be prepared before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Hoover in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.