Cheap Flights to Louisville from HK$1,514

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 trouble-free start to your time in Louisville. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a stress-free experience if you pack the right things. Firstly, you'll need toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a clean set of clothes and a good read. Secondly, make room in your hand luggage for your phone, tablet and chargers, medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and fuels, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to be as comfortable as possible. Choose shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural fibers and don't forget to take a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will make your trip to Louisville easy and painless. Below are some handy hints for a swift journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, that you want to take 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.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked bags.