Flights to Mission Viejo, California from NT$19,881

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to worry. Follow these useful tips for a trouble-free start to your getaway in Mission Viejo. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, travel docs, cash and medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you hope to take a short nap, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport can make your getaway to Mission Viejo a breeze. Here are some top tips for a swift journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray 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-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.