Cheap Flights to Alpha

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your flight a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be hightailing it through the airport and seeing the best of Alpha in next to no time. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a stress-free experience if you carry the right stuff. First things first, you'll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean set of clothes and a good book. Secondly, find room in your hand luggage for your mobile phone, a charger, any medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to bring your passport, travel docs and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and wear easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

The secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Alpha in a flash. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be presented to airport security. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices also need to go through the scanner.
• Travelling with your favourite hand and nail cream? Not a problem. As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and it's stored in a zip-lock bag, it's fine to bring with you in your carry-on baggage.
• There's a good chance you'll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Sharp items like knives can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked baggage.