Flights to Sutherland, Virginia from NT$12,257

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Sutherland. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack your passport, official ID, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you intend to catch a few z's, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a few toiletry items to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Sharp or pointed objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosols and fireworks, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

It's all about being prepared. We've rounded up some tips and tricks for a stress-free trip through security. Watch out Sutherland, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and travel documents before anything else. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.