Cheap Flights to Philadelphia

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be overwhelming. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints for a trouble-free start to your holiday in Philadelphia. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a stress-free experience if you've got all the right gear. Firstly, you'll want a few toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and hairbrush, a fresh change of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, make room in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, medications and perhaps a neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to bring your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and go for shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to remove.
• Caused by sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers during long-haul flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

It's all about being prepared. We've pulled together some top tips for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Philadelphia, here you come:

• Keep your ID and boarding pass within close reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually 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.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, check them in.