Flights to Escanaba, Michigan from NT$33,306

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a comfortable start to your time in Escanaba. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, put in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a phone filled with your favorite shows are good options. If you plan to take a quick snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a few toiletry items so you'll arrive looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, fireworks and fuel. Sporting equipment like ice skates, and items that could injure passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to take on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

It's simple — be prepared. We've compiled some useful tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Watch out Escanaba, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and travel documents before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, must also be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.