Flights to Spring City, Philadelphia from NT$26,073

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a worry-free start to your time in Spring City. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a pleasure if you bring the right things. Firstly, you'll want a few basic toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh set of clothes and a good book. Next, find room in your bag for your phone and charger, your medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, 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 temperature changes by donning layers, and wear slightly roomy, flat shoes like slip-ons.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Spring City before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.