Cheap Flights to Cowichan Bay from HK$439

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Cowichan Bay could be completely painless or it could go on forever. Here are some handy tips that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack in your passport, travel docs, wallet and medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favourite shows are some great options. If you hope to catch more than just forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you hop off the plane feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, aerosol cans and flares. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and swords, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and remember to bring a pullover in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will make your trip to Cowichan Bay quick and painless. Read through our top tips for a swift journey through security:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the queue.
• 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 the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.