Flights to Oola, County Limerick from NT$9,099

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a trouble-free start to your getaway in Oola. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, pack your passport, important documents, cash and daily medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you intend to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll arrive feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting 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 trick is to be well prepared before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Oola in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Your travel documents and passport will need to be shown to security personnel. Have them close by to avoid fumbling around for them.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board.