Cheap Flights to Decatur from HK$7,322

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be challenging. But there's no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pain-free start to your getaway in Decatur. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, put in your passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling novel and a phone filled with your favourite movies are some great options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) lurking in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and opt for shoes that are roomy, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Decatur in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.