Cheap Flights to China

We've pulled together all the info you need to make your journey as enjoyable as possible. Follow our tips and tricks and you'll be speeding through airport security and having a ball in China in no time flat. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a stress-free experience if you take the right gear. Firstly, you'll want a few toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a spare pair of socks and a good read. Secondly, make room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any daily medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, don't forget to bring your passport, travel papers and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Choose shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to China in a flash. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a spectacular start:

• First things first. Your passport and travel documents will need to be presented to airport security. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Hiking boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.