Cheap Flights to Alken from HK$420

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're prepared. We've compiled a list of handy tips and tricks that will help get your Alken holiday started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Travelling on a plane can be a great experience if you bring the right gear. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a spare pair of socks and a few magazines. Next, make room in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, your medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by dressing in layers, and opt for flat, easy-to-remove footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The trick is to be well prepared before you reach the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Alken in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• First things first. Your travel documents and passport will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Have them easily accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronics also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.