Flights to Lakewood, Tacoma from NT$3,059

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well enough. We've compiled a list of handy tips and tricks that will help get your Lakewood escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the basics: passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a few magazines. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to take on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some useful tips for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Watch out Lakewood, here you come:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and ID within easy reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.