Cheap Flights to North Star

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you prepare well enough. We've put together a list of handy hints that will help get your North Star escape started on the right foot.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your number one priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Layer up in breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater just in case you get cold. Always go with flat, well-fitting shoes as it's possible that your feet and ankles will swell during the journey. Leave the high heels and hiking boots in your checked luggage.
• A condition by the name of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity. Doing regular foot and leg exercises while seated is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a high-quality pair of compression tights or socks may also help.

The secret is to be prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to North Star in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes things like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.