Cheap Flights to West Columbia from HK$1,179

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a hassle-free start to your holiday in West Columbia. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free flight experience is to pack ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and daily medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object hiding in your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to feel as comfortable as you can. Pick a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

The trick is to be prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to West Columbia in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a great start:

• Be sure to keep your passport and travel documents close by. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.