Cheap Flights to Vila Nova da Barquinha from HK$277

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you're well prepared. Check out these essential travel tips that will get your Vila Nova da Barquinha escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a great experience if you take the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a fresh set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, leave space in your carry-on bag for your electronic devices, chargers, your important medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow too. Lastly, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by wearing layers, and wear flat, easy-to-remove shoes like sneakers.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight will help make your getaway to Vila Nova da Barquinha quick and painless. We've rounded up some handy tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be inspected by airport security. Have them easily accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.