Flights to New London, North Carolina from

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be overwhelming. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your vacation in New London. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great flight experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as bleach and fuel, 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 highest priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your legs and feet often.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've rounded up some useful tips for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Watch out New London, here you come:

• First things first. Your passport and travel documents will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the queue.
• Your jacket, belt, keys and other small items, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.