First of all, pack your passport, travel documents, bank cards and vital medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a phone filled with your favorite movies are some great options. If you plan to take a short nap, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you step off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.
Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:
While the list of prohibited items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, pocket knives, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and items that could harm other people, such as firearms and ammunition, can't come on board with you either.
What to wear on a flight:
Your priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.
Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics also need to go through the scanner.
Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
There's a good chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.