Flights to Ashmore, Illinois from

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

• The trick to having a pain-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a good read. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Opt for shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to bring a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Ashmore in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Your travel documents and ID will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them handy so you don't hold up the line.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked bags.