Cheap Flights to Cuba

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you've planned ahead. Follow these handy hints that will help get your Cuba holiday started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes tools, metal cutlery, spray paint and fireworks. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as swords and batons, 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 board. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

It's easy — be prepared. We've pulled together some useful tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Cuba, here you come:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets will need to go through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to bring 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-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in the cabin. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.