Flights to Sophia, West Virginia from NT$18,346

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be challenging. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in Sophia. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a hassle-free travel experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, be sure to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and fuels, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise choice, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks and move your legs and feet often.

It's simple — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Watch out Sophia, here you come:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board need to be in containers 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 required to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.