Flights to Suffield, Connecticut from NT$8,894

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a comfortable start to your vacation in Suffield. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack in your passport, important documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are good options. If you intend to take a quick snooze, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll hop off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, knives, fuel and fireworks. Sporting equipment like ice skates, and items that could harm passengers, such as firearms and swords, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible option, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your legs and feet often.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Suffield in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.