Flights to St. Louis, Saint-Louis Region from

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well organized. Take a peek at these top travel tips that will help get your St. Louis escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a great experience if you take the right stuff. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletries, such as deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a spare pair of socks and a good novel. Next, find a spot in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any daily medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, aerosol cans and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to St. Louis in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• 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. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.