Cheap Flights to Obama from HK$639

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Obama could be as easy as pie or it could drag on forever. Here are some useful travel tips that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive products, 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:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by wearing layers, and pick flat, closed-toe footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Make a point of walking around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

Being organised before you arrive at the airport will help make your trip to Obama quick and painless. Below are some top tips for a swift journey through security:

• Your travel documents and ID will need to be inspected by security personnel. Keep them within easy reach to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked bags.