Flights to Alta, California from NT$20,635

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pain-free start to your getaway in Alta. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a thrilling book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, don't forget to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to bring a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your legs and feet often.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your trip to Alta quick and painless. Below you'll find some handy hints for a stress-free journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic devices must also be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.