If you’re traveling by plane, you won’t have to decide which airport to fly into. Carlinville has just one – Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL).

Step through the glass doors of Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL) and your Carlinville adventure will have begun! The city’s main airport, it’s located 72 kilometers from the downtown area.

There are a total of 12 air carriers connecting Carlinville with 64 airports around the world.

United Airlines and American Airlines fly frequently into Carlinville. Catching a United Airlines flight from Chicago is one of the most popular ways to travel there.

With roughly 1,319 nonstop flights operating every week, you’ll be hitting the runway in Carlinville before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

A large number of flights to Carlinville take off from Denver, Dallas and Chicago airports.

If it’s Chicago you’re leaving behind, you’ll be in the sky for around 1 hour and 15 minutes before you touchdown in Carlinville. Runway to runway from Queens Village typically takes 2 hours and 51 minutes and from Denver, the average flight time is 1 hour and 59 minutes.

If you’d like to have some extra spending money on your Carlinville vacation, listen up! As every experienced jet-setter will tell you, avoid booking at the last minute. Prices are usually highest close to the departure date. Don’t stop there, however. Do some research and check if there are a few airports at your destination. Prices often differ depending on the airport you fly into. Make sure you compare prices across air carriers too. Last but not least, be ready to lock in your seat quickly if you find a real bargain. It might not be available for too long. With a bit of knowledge and a little luck, the perfect airfare can be yours.

Wherever you’re coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you’re well prepared. Follow these handy hints that will get your Carlinville escape started on the right note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack in your passport, official ID, cash and vital medications. Next, you’ll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling book and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are some wonderful options. If you intend to take a quick nap, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a few toiletry items to ensure you step off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated. Sharp objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your number one priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Layer up in natural fibers and take a cardigan in case it gets chilly in the cabin. Pick a pair of flat, slightly roomy shoes as it’s possible that your feet and ankles will swell during the journey. Leave the stilettos and hiking boots in your luggage.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. The good news is there are numerous ways to reduce the risk of developing it. Stay hydrated, walk up and down the aisles as often as possible and wear compression tights or socks.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you arrive at airport security. That way, you’ll be stepping onto that plane to Carlinville in no time flat. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• 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.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don’t worry, you’ll be back online in no time.
• 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 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren’t.
• Knives and other sharp items can’t be taken on board. They’ll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.