Cheap Flights to Barcelona

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as pain-free as possible. Follow our top tips and you'll be breezing through the airport and seeing the best of Barcelona in next to no time. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack your passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a phone crammed with your favourite movies are some fantastic options. If you intend to catch forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a few toiletry items to ensure you arrive looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by layering up, and opt for closed-toe, flat footwear like slip-ons.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long-distance flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

The trick is to be well organised before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Barcelona in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed in the cabin.