Cheap Flights to Cathay

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you've prepared well enough. Take a peek at these handy tips and tricks that will get your Cathay holiday started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be easy if you pack the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a clean pair of socks and a magazine or two. Secondly, make room in your carry-on bag for your mobile phone, a charger, any daily medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before your flight will make your getaway to Cathay a pleasure. We've rounded up some handy hints for a swift journey past security:

• Have your ID and travel documents close by. They're the first items you'll be asked for by airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, 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 before your turn.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item 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.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.