If you’re arriving by plane, you won’t have to think too long and hard about which airport to choose. East Elmhurst has just one – LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

LaGuardia Airport is only a short drive from the bright lights of downtown East Elmhurst. You’ll find it 0.64 kilometres from the city center.

With several airports to pick from, East Elmhurst is the sort of place that’s easy to fly to at the eleventh hour. The terminals that deal with most of the city’s air traffic are JFK (16 kilometres from downtown), Newark Airport (27 kilometres from downtown) and LaGuardia Airport (0.64 kilometres from downtown).

East Elmhurst is serviced by 78 air carriers from 222 worldwide airports.

American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are the most frequent fliers to East Elmhurst. The highest number of flights come in from Chicago, with American Airlines offering the most services on this route.

With approximately 11,584 direct flights operating each week, you’ll be touching down in East Elmhurst before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Flights to East Elmhurst from Toronto, Boston and Chicago airports are highly sought after.

Which airport you depart from determines how long you’ll be strapped into your seat. From Washington to East Elmhurst, the average flight time is 1 hour and 22 minutes. From Chicago it’s more or less 2 hours and 10 minutes, and from Boston it’s 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Don’t leave booking your flight to East Elmhurst until the last minute. That’s one trick seasoned travelers use to get the best deals. Booking well in advance means more choices and more affordable flights. Don’t stop there, however. Do some research and find out if there are multiple airports at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on the airport you pick. Remember to compare prices across airlines as well. Last but not least, another easy way to save some cash is be ready to book at a moment’s notice. If you stumble on a terrific deal, don’t think twice — snap it up while the opportunity’s there.

We’ve rounded up all the info you need to make your journey as pain-free as possible. Follow our tips and you’ll be breezing through airport security and having a blast in East Elmhurst in next to no time.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free travel experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that’ll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a thrilling novel. It’s also smart to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, chemicals agents and fireworks, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The main aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Layer up with loose, breathable clothing and take a jacket in case it gets cool in the cabin. Always opt for flat, well-fitting shoes as it’s possible that your feet and ankles will swell a little during the flight. Leave the high heels and heavy hiking boots in your luggage.
• Unfortunately, one risk of flying long distances is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity. To prevent this from happening, take every opportunity to wander around the cabin. Compression socks and tights are another simple way to help lower your risk.

The secret is to be well prepared before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you’ll be stepping onto that plane to East Elmhurst in a flash. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you’ll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to go through the scanner.
• Traveling with a new cologne or perfume? As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it’s stored in a clear zip-lock bag, you can keep it with you on board.
• There’s a chance you’ll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked suitcase. They won’t be allowed in the cabin.