Flights to Stafford, Houston from NT$8,928

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a stress-free start to your vacation in Stafford. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a cruisy experience if you take the right stuff. First things first, you'll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh change of clothes and a magazine or two. Secondly, find room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, remember to bring your passport, travel papers and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your legs and feet often.

A little pre-planning before your flight will help make your trip to Stafford quick and painless. Check out our useful tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.