Cheap Flights to Long Beach from HK$7,156

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a seamless experience if you've prepared well enough. We've put together a list of top travel tips that will get your Long Beach escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an awesome travel experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, credit cards and medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like box cutters, razor blades, fuels and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and pick flat, easy-to-remove shoes like slip-ons.
• Most travellers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your legs and feet often.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport can make your trip to Long Beach a pleasure. Check out our handy hints for a swift journey through security:

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass close by. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you a few precious minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.