Cheap Flights to Houston , MO from CA $338

We've got the lowdown on how to make your journey a pleasant experience. Follow our insider tips and you'll be cruising through the airport and seeing the best of Houston in next to no time. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free flight experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a good read. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your beloved pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as flares, chemicals agents and fuels, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and go for shoes that are flat and easy to slip on and off.
• You're probably aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

Being prepared before you get to the airport can make your getaway to Houston easy and painless. We've rounded up some handy tips for a speedy journey through security:

• Your passport and boarding pass will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them handy so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• For just a few moments, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.