Cheap Flights to Santa Maria from HK$1,309

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you prepare well enough. Take a peek at these handy tips that will get your Santa Maria holiday started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing travel experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a few magazines. You'll also want to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, don't forget to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as flares, chemicals agents and poisons, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight will make your getaway to Santa Maria a pleasure. Below you'll find some handy hints for a speedy journey through security:

• First things first. Your travel documents and ID will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.