Cheap Flights to Chatham Island

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a worry-free start to your holiday in Chatham Island. 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, official ID, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and matches, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and feet moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will make your getaway to Chatham Island a breeze. Below are some useful tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked baggage.