Cheap Flights to Gatwick

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

• A plane trip can be a cruisy experience if you've got all the right stuff. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean pair of socks and a good novel. Secondly, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, medications and maybe a quality neck pillow as well. Lastly, don't forget to take your passport, travel documents and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and poisons, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and choose shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

It's all about being organised. We've compiled some top tips for a speedy trip through airport security. Watch out Gatwick, here you come:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them handy to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster 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 electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or toothpaste, 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.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.