Flights to Velas, Azores from

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Velas. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a cruisy experience if you take the right things. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as toothpaste, a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, make room in your bag for your mobile phone, a charger, any vital medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible option, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

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

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, 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), zip-lock bag.
• It's also possible you'll be asked to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.