Cheap Flights to Mackay from HK$14,599

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be overwhelming. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a worry-free start to your getaway in Mackay. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by layering up, and opt for easy-to-remove shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The secret is to be well prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Mackay in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Keep your ID and travel documents handy. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.