Cheap Flights to Santa Catalina

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well organized. We've compiled a list of handy tips that will get your Santa Catalina escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling novel. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items differs between air carriers, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, drills, fuel and fireworks. Sporting equipment like ski poles, and items that could harm passengers, such as swords and guns, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are roomy, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport can make your trip to Santa Catalina quick and painless. Here are some handy tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Be sure to keep your ID and travel documents within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.