Flights to Waipara, Canterbury from NT$5,119

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're well organized. We've put together a list of handy hints that will help get your Waipara escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great flight experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a thrilling book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim here is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to bring a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will help make your trip to Waipara a pleasure. Read through our top tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them handy to avoid fumbling around for them.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones need to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.