The trick to having a stress-free flight experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a magazine. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean T-shirt.
Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:
Double-check that you don't have a sharp object lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).
What to wear on a flight:
The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Layer your clothing and go for shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to remove.
You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your legs and feet moving.
Your ID and travel documents will need to be inspected by airport security. Have them easily accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online soon enough.
Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.