Flights to USAF Academy, Colorado Springs from NT$17,618

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well. Take a peek at these essential travel tips that will get your USAF Academy escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, put in your passport, travel docs, cash and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling book and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are always good options. If you plan to take a short nap, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, squeeze in a few toiletry items to ensure you step off the plane feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and opt for easy-to-remove footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

It's easy — be prepared. We've rounded up some top tips for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out USAF Academy, here you come:

• Your travel documents and ID will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you a few precious minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.