Cheap Flights to Santa Bárbara

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Santa Bárbara could be completely painless or it could drag on forever. Below are some useful hints that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a comfortable experience if you've got all the right gear. First things first, you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a fresh set of clothes and a good book. Secondly, make room in your bag for your electronic devices, chargers, your medications and maybe a neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to bring your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other restricted 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:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by layering up, and opt for flat, easy-to-remove shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be prepared before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Santa Bárbara before you know it. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. 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 quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.