Flights to Opononi, Northland from NT$31,867

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a worry-free start to your time in Opononi. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, put in your passport, official ID, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you plan to catch a few z's, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll touchdown looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object lurking in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your lower limbs often.

The trick is to be prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Opononi in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be required to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.