Hawke’s Bay Airport (NPE) is the one and only airport near Hastings.

If you’re staying in central Hastings, it’s a good idea to organise how you’ll get into the city before you touchdown. The downtown area is about 19 kilometres from Hawke’s Bay Airport (NPE).

With just one major airport servicing Hastings, it won’t take you long to discover the best flight. You’ll be taking off to Napier Airport, which sits around 19 kilometres from the centre of town.

If you plan to fly to Hastings, there isn’t much choice. Just a single airline services the route — get in quick to score the best deal.

The majority of flights into Hastings are offered by Air New Zealand. The most well-known route is from Auckland, and Air New Zealand flies this route the most frequently.

Arranging an exciting Hastings adventure is child’s play when there are 127 nonstop flights each week to pick from.

Travellers often depart from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch airports when heading to Hastings.

If you’re flying to Hastings from Auckland, you’ll have a flight duration of 1 hour and 5 minutes. Those jetting off from Wellington should expect to be airborne for around 55 minutes. From Christchurch it’s 1 hour and 35 minutes away.

If you’d like to have some extra spending money on your Hastings holiday, listen up! As every experienced traveller knows, don’t leave booking until the last minute. Airfares are generally more expensive just prior to the departure date. Also, look around online and compare your options. If your destination has more than one airport, you may be able to score a better deal by flying into a smaller terminal. Last but not least, another easy way to save a few dollars is be ready to book fast. If you see a fantastic deal, don’t think twice — snap it up while you can.

If you’re not prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there’s no need to panic. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a hassle-free start to your time in Hastings.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to pack ahead. So, let’s start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and important medications. Next, take on board items that’ll help keep you occupied, like your laptop or a good read. It’s also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, don’t forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don’t have a sharp object lurking in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Consider your footwear carefully too, as swelling of the feet and ankles are a common side effect of flying. Flat shoes which are slightly roomy are always a good idea.
• Most of us have heard about DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clotting condition caused by reduced mobility or inactivity. There are plenty of ways to lessen your risk. Wear a quality pair of compression tights or socks, drink lots of water and keep your legs and feet moving. Walk the aisles of the cabin or perform some stretches in your seat.

As savvy travellers know, the secret is to be prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you’ll be boarding that plane to Hastings in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your holiday off to a flying start:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and ID at hand. They’re the first items you’ll be asked to present to airport security.
• Your jacket, belt, 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 as your turn draws near.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There’s a chance you’ll be asked to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors can’t be taken on board. They’ll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.