Flights to Northumberland, Pennsylvania from NT$38,139

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Northumberland. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack in your passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling novel and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you plan to catch up on some sleep, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and choose shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The answer is — be prepared. We've compiled some handy tips and tricks for a fuss-free trip through security. Look out Northumberland, here you come:

• Have your passport and travel documents easily accessible. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices will also need to go through the scanner.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.