Cheap Flights to Hartford from HK$1,918

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pleasant start to your time in Hartford. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and fuels, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to be as comfortable as you can. Pick a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to take a jacket in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your trip to Hartford quick and painless. Here are some handy hints for a speedy journey through security:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them within easy reach so you don't hold up the line.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, must also be separately scanned.
• Travelling with your favourite hand cream? As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, it's OK to bring with you in your carry-on.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.