Cheap Flights to Scotland

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) is the main airport in Scotland.

Scotland is serviced by 48 air carriers from at least 175 airports around the world.

Most often, travellers opt to fly with Delta, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines when heading to Scotland. The biggest proportion of these flights originate in Atlanta, with Delta operating this route the most.

Flying to somewhere new is much more straightforward when there aren't any stopovers to worry about. If you're making your way to Scotland, the great news is that there are 6 526 direct flights operating every week.

Travellers often depart from Atlanta, Boston and Chicago airports when flying to Scotland.

If it's Atlanta you're departing, you'll be midair for around 1 hour and 45 minutes before you arrive in Scotland. Terminal to terminal from Boston typically takes 1 hour and 46 minutes and from Chicago, the average flight time is 1 hour and 53 minutes.

Don't leave booking your flight to Scotland until the very last minute. That's one move seasoned travellers use to get the best deals. Booking well in advance means more options and cheaper flights. Also, do some online research and compare your options. If your destination has more than one airport, you may be able to score a better deal by flying into one a little further out. Finally, be ready to book quickly if you find an irresistible price. It might not be available for too long! With a bit of know-how and a little good fortune, the ideal airfare will be yours.

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your flight a stress-free experience. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be cruising through the airport and enjoying Scotland in no time at all. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, put in your passport, travel documents, cash and medications. Next, you'll want some extra in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a phone crammed with your favourite shows are some wonderful options. If you hope to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a few toiletry items so you'll touchdown looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between airlines, the general rule to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, blades, fuels and bleaching agents. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, and objects that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Scotland easy and painless. Here are some useful tips for a swift journey through security:

• Have your passport and travel documents someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, check them in.