Flights to Sterling, Illinois from

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and you'll be cruising through airport security and having a blast in Sterling in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be easy if you take the right things. Firstly, you'll want some toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, find room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any daily medications and maybe a blow-up neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to be as comfortable as possible. Pick shoes that are easy to slip on and off, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to bring a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being organized before your flight will make your getaway to Sterling a pleasure. We've rounded up some handy tips and tricks for a swift journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All your electronics, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a practical 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.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.