Flights to Venice, Los Angeles from NT$5,586

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you'll be breezing through airport security and seeing the best of Venice in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, important documents, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are some great options. If you hope to take a quick nap, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination 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 pocket knife) lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart option, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for an easy trip through security. Look out Venice, here you come:

• Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Have them close by so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Traveling with a new hand and nail cream? As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, it's OK to bring with you in your carry-on baggage.
• It's also likely that you'll need to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.