Cheap Flights to Auckland from CA $279

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you're prepared. Check out these handy tips and tricks that will help get your Auckland vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, put in your passport, official ID, wallet and vital medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a phone filled with your favourite movies are some great options. If you hope to catch forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll arrive at your destination looking and feeling fresh.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) won't be allowed on. Sharp or pointed objects, like your trusty pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and poisons, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and wear slightly roomy, flat footwear like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've compiled some useful tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Auckland, here you come:

• Have your travel documents and ID within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Your coat, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as toothpaste or perfume, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.