Cheap Flights to Bishop Auckland from HK$455

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well enough. Check out these handy tips that will get your Bishop Auckland holiday started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a juicy novel. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as flares, chemicals agents and gasoline, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to bring a pullover in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your getaway to Bishop Auckland quick and painless. We've compiled some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be presented to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as lip balm or cologne, 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-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.