Cheap Flights to State College from HK$8,324

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in State College. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack your passport, important documents, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling book and a tablet crammed with your favourite movies are some terrific options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll arrive at your destination feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between airlines, the general guide to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, knives, spray paint and fireworks. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and items that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to slip on and off.
• The result of sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and feet moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

The answer is simple — be organised. We've put together some useful tips for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out State College, here you come:

• Keep your boarding pass and ID handy. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.