Cheap Flights to New Castle from HK$3,278

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well organised. We've made a list of handy travel tips that will help get your New Castle escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Travelling on a plane can be a cruisy experience if you pack the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, leave space in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, medications and perhaps a comfy neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to bring your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by donning layers, and pick slightly roomy, flat footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will help make your getaway to New Castle a breeze. We've rounded up some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Want to bring along your favourite cologne? As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-lock bag, you're allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on baggage.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.