Flights to Pontiac, Detroit from NT$13,691

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

• It's simple — first, put in your passport, travel documents, wallet and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a tablet crammed with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you plan to take a quick nap, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll hop off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes knives, scissors, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to remove.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression tights or socks and move your lower limbs often.

The answer is simple — be organized. We've compiled some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through security. Look out Pontiac, here you come:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport within easy reach. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.