Cheap Flights to Newcastle from HK$341

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to Newcastle could be no sweat at all or it could go on forever. We've rounded up some handy tips that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a great experience if you bring the right things. Firstly, you'll want a few basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh change of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, make room in your hand luggage for your laptop, a charger, any daily medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow as well. Lastly, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by wearing layers, and wear closed-toe, flat 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. Walk around the cabin and give your legs a stretch or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be well organised before you reach security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Newcastle in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a flying start:

• Keep your ID and boarding pass at hand. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your belt, jacket and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items like knives are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked baggage.