Imperial County Airport (IPL) is the one and only airport near Imperial.

Boley Field is near the heart of the city. It’s only 6 kilometres from downtown Imperial.

Imperial is serviced by 17 air carriers from at least 62 worldwide airports.

Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines operate the largest proportion of flights to Imperial. One of the most popular ways to travel there is with a Southwest Airlines flight leaving from Santa Clara.

With around 1,840 nonstop flights running every week, you’ll be touching down in Imperial before you can say, “Are we there yet?”

Travelers often depart from San Francisco, Sacramento and Santa Clara airports when heading to Imperial.

If you’re flying to Imperial from Santa Clara, you’ll have a flight duration of 1 hour and 21 minutes. Those taking off from Sacramento can expect to be on the plane for 1 hour and 29 minutes. From Las Vegas it’s 1 hour and 9 minutes away.

If you’d like to have some extra spending money on your Imperial vacation, listen up! As any experienced traveler will tell you, don’t leave booking until the last minute. Fares are usually more expensive close to the departure date. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and check if there are a couple of airports at your destination. Ticket prices often differ depending on the airport you fly into. Be sure to compare prices across airlines too. Last but not least, be prepared to lock in your seat quickly if you stumble on a great price. It might not be available for long. With a bit of know-how and a little luck, the perfect fare can be yours.

Depending on where you’re coming from, your flight to Imperial could be completely painless or it could drag on forever. We’ve rounded up some handy hints that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a stress-free experience if you pack the right things. Firstly, you’ll need basic toiletry items, such as deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a clean pair of socks and a few magazines. Secondly, find room in your bag for your mobile phone, a charger, medications and maybe a comfy neck pillow as well. Lastly, don’t forget to take your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items differs between airlines, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like knives, scissors, fuels and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm other people, such as swords and batons, won’t be allowed on board either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be the goal when deciding what to wear on your flight. Consider your choice of footwear with care too, as swelling of the feet and ankles can be a side effect of flying. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy are always a sensible way to go.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long flights is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To prevent this, take every opportunity to walk around and give your legs a stretch. Compression tights and socks are another easy way to help lower your risk.

The trick is to be well prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you’ll be hopping onto that plane to Imperial before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• First things first. Your travel documents and passport will need to be shown to airport security. Have them easily accessible so you don’t have to dig around for them.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your coat, belt, 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 it gets closer to your turn.
• Electronic devices like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don’t worry, you’ll be back online in no time.
• Don’t forget to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you’re less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won’t allow any sharp or pointed objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.