East Alton is served by a single airport, Lambert-St. Louis Intl. Airport (STL).

Long commutes don’t have to be stressful if you plan ahead of time. Downtown East Alton is 27 kilometers from STL, so it’s smart to know how you’ll get into the city before you land.

With one major airport servicing East Alton, it won’t take very long to discover the best flight. You’ll be jetting off to Lambert Field, which is located around 27 kilometers from the center of town.

There are a total of 12 airlines connecting East Alton with 64 airports from all over the globe.

United Airlines and American Airlines operate the largest proportion of flights to East Alton. One of the most popular ways to get there is with a United Airlines flight leaving from Chicago.

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

Flights to East Alton departing from Denver, Dallas and Chicago airports are the most in demand.

Which airport you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to enjoy. From Chicago to East Alton, the average flight time is 1 hour and 15 minutes. From Queens Village it takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes, and from Denver it’s 1 hour and 59 minutes.

If you want to have some extra spending money on your trip to East Alton, then listen up! As any seasoned traveler knows, don’t leave booking until the last minute. Airfares are generally more expensive just prior to the departure date. Another fantastic way to grab the best deal is to compare all options. If your destination has more than one airport, look into the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. And finally, don’t forget that the early bird catches the worm. Familiarize yourself with airfare costs and have your credit card ready to grab your ticket as soon as you spot a bargain. The sweetest deals never last long.

If you’re not prepared, traveling can be challenging. But there’s no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints for a stress-free start to your time in East Alton.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, travel documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you’ll need some extra in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a tablet crammed with your favorite movies are some wonderful options. If you hope to take a short nap, a comfy neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you step off the plane feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no fashion runway. Layer up with comfortable clothing and take a sweater as the temperature can drop in the cabin on long-haul flights. Slightly roomy, flat shoes are also a good idea.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. There are numerous ways to mitigate your risk. Wear a pair of compression tights or socks, drink plenty of water and keep your legs and feet moving. Do a few laps of the cabin or perform some stretches in your seat.

The secret is to be organized before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you’ll be stepping onto that plane to East Alton in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you’ll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices also need to go through the scanner.
• Traveling with a new cologne? No problem. As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it’s stored in a zip-close bag, you can bring it with you in your carry-on luggage.
• There’s a good chance you’ll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a good idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked baggage. They won’t be allowed on board and will be confiscated.