Cheap Flights to Washington: Washington Flight Deals

If you're poorly prepared, travelling can be a real challenge. But there's no need to worry. Follow these useful tips for a worry-free start to your time in Washington. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free flight experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, don't forget to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like your trusty Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and gasoline, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• The result of sustained periods of immobility, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

As seasoned travellers know, the secret is to be well organised before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Washington in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your holiday off to a terrific start:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Have them close by so you don't hold up the queue.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your coat, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronics, including your phone and laptop, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.