Flights to St. Joseph, Missouri from NT$11,137

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're prepared. We've compiled a list of handy hints that will help get your St. Joseph escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a stress-free experience if you've got all the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a clean pair of socks and something to read. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your phone and charger, any daily medications and maybe a neck pillow as well. Lastly, be sure to take your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Opt for slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to take a jacket in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

The trick is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to St. Joseph in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.