Flights to Manus Island, Manus from NT$72,714

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you prepare well enough. Check out these handy travel tips that will get your Manus Island escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a good book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by layering up, and pick easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your lower limbs often.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Manus Island before you know it. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Keep your boarding pass and passport someplace easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.