Cheap Flights to Washington

We've got the lowdown on how to make your flight as pain-free as possible. Follow our insider tips and you'll be cruising through airport security and exploring Washington in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an amazing travel experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a good book. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack 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. Sharp objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fuels, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by wearing layers, and opt for easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

The trick is to be well organised before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Washington in a flash. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.