Cheap Flights to Xangri-La

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you're well prepared. Follow these handy tips that will help get your Xangri-La escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a pleasure if you carry the right stuff. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare change of clothes and a good read. Next, find a spot in your bag for your phone and charger, any medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow too. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel papers and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes tools, metal cutlery, aerosol cans and flares. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and items that could harm other people, such as pepper spray and firearms, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The secret is to be well prepared before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Xangri-La before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a terrific start:

• Keep your passport and travel documents within close reach. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, must also be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.