Cheap Flights to Mason City from HK$3,479

We've rounded up all the info you need to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our top tips and you'll be hightailing it through airport security and seeing the best of Mason City in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a great experience if you pack the right things. First of all you'll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a fresh change of clothes and a good novel. Secondly, find a spot in your hand luggage for your laptop, a charger, any vital medications and perhaps a neck pillow as well. Lastly, 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 lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be well organised before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Mason City before you know it. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a spectacular start:

• First things first. Your ID and travel documents will need to be shown to security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Want to bring along your favourite perfume or cologne? As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you're permitted to bring it with you in your carry-on luggage.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.