Cheap Flights to New England

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey an enjoyable experience. Follow our tips and you'll be zooming through airport security and seeing the best of New England in no time. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic devices or a thrilling novel. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, don't forget to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like tools, metal cutlery, aerosol cans and flares. Sports equipment like ski poles, 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 number one priority when choosing what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise option, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight will help make your getaway to New England a piece of cake. Here are some useful tips for a speedy journey past security:

• Be sure to have your ID and travel documents someplace easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.