Flights to Long Beach, Los Angeles from NT$17,854

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Long Beach could be completely stress-free or it could go on forever. Here are some handy tips that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack in your passport, important documents, wallet and vital medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are some great options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, make room for a few toiletry items so you'll step off the plane looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible option, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you get to security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Long Beach in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before anything else. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.