Flights to San Francisco, Putumayo from NT$78,995

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well enough. Take a peek at these handy hints that will help get your San Francisco vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a great experience if you bring the right things. Firstly, you'll want a few toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a clean pair of socks and a magazine or two. Next, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your mobile phone, a charger, your important medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Lastly, be sure to bring your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to feel as comfortable as possible. Go for slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to take a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your lower limbs often.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to San Francisco in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often 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 single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.