Cheap Flights to Santa Cruz

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these tips and tricks for a stress-free start to your getaway in Santa Cruz. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack your passport, official ID, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a laptop filled with your favourite shows are always good options. If you hope to take a quick nap, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, blades, spray paint and fireworks. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could injure passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, won't be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and pick shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Santa Cruz in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a fantastic start:

• Airport security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• All electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually 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.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.