Cheap Flights to Río

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our tips and you'll be cruising through the airport and having a blast in Río before you know it. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a cruisy experience if you pack the right gear. First things first, you'll need toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a fresh set of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, leave space in your hand luggage for your phone, tablet and chargers, your important medications and maybe a neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to bring your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels 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 temperature by layering up, and pick flat, slightly roomy shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Make a point of walking around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

The answer is — be prepared. We've rounded up some useful tips for a speedy trip through airport security. Look out Río, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the alarm. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.