Cheap Flights to Long Beach

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your flight a pleasant experience. Follow our top tips and you'll be hightailing it through airport security and exploring Long Beach in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling book and a tablet filled with your favourite movies are always good options. If you hope to take a quick nap, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll hop off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put 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 millilitres) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp objects, like your precious pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and strong acids, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and wear flat, easy-to-remove shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The answer is — be prepared. We've rounded up some tips and tricks for a hassle-free trip through security. Look out Long Beach, here you come:

• First things first. Your travel documents and ID will need to be shown to airport security. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.