Flights to Melrose, Minnesota from

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a comfortable start to your time in Melrose. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack your passport, travel docs, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite movies are some wonderful options. If you plan to catch up on some sleep, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like box cutters, razor blades, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and objects that could injure passengers, such as swords and batons, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Melrose in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• Have your boarding pass and ID at hand. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a chance you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.