Flights to Stratford, New York from NT$3,685

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pain-free start to your vacation in Stratford. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free flight experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a good read. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, fuels and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like ice skates, and items that could injure passengers, such as swords and guns, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose slip-on footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to take a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your feet and legs moving.

It's simple — be prepared. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for a fuss-free trip through security. Look out Stratford, here you come:

• Have your ID and boarding pass close by. They're the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets will need to go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.