Cheap Flights to Arlington from HK$542

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well. We've put together a list of handy travel tips that will help get your Arlington escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a hassle-free travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, 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 or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

Being prepared before you get to the airport can make your trip to Arlington a piece of cake. We've rounded up some top tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Have your travel documents and passport someplace easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, must also be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.