Cheap Flights to Houston from HK$1,566

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey as stress-free as possible. Follow our top tips and you'll be speeding through airport security and having a ball in Houston before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free travel experience is to be prepared. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity 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 layering up, and pick flat, enclosed shoes like slip-ons.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your legs and feet moving.

The answer is simple — be organised. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for an easy trip through security. Watch out Houston, here you come:

• Keep your travel documents and ID at hand. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board.