Flights to Hainan, Qinghai from NT$9,573

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a seamless experience if you've planned ahead. We've put together a list of handy tips that will get your Hainan vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the basics: passport, travel documents, credit cards and any vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a few magazines. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm 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 knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a wise option, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you reach security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Hainan in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• First things first. Your ID and travel documents will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will need to go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume 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.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed in the cabin.