Cheap Flights to Santa Barbara from HK$248

If you're not prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints for a stress-free start to your getaway in Santa Barbara. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you've got all the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare change of clothes and a good book. Next, find a spot in your bag for your phone and charger, any medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to take your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim here is to be as comfortable as possible. Go for a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to bring a sweater in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lessen your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your feet and legs moving.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some top tips for a hassle-free trip through security. Look out Santa Barbara, here you come:

• First things first. Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked bags.