Flights to Merville, Toulouse from NT$4,841

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your time in Merville. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack in your passport, travel documents, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some fantastic options. If you intend to take a short nap, a quality neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive at your destination looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between airlines, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like baseball bats, and items that could harm other people, such as swords and batons, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to feel as comfortable as possible. Choose a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to bring a jacket in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged 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 improve your circulation.

Being prepared before your flight can make your trip to Merville a piece of cake. We've compiled some handy hints for a speedy journey past security:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the line.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.