If you’re arriving by air, you won’t have to worry which airport to fly into. Irvine has just one – Glasgow Intl. Airport (GLA).

The trip from GLA to downtown Irvine is fairly long. You’ll need to travel 31 kilometers before you can check in to your hotel in the city.

A flight to Irvine means hitting the tarmac at Glasgow Airport. Disembark the plane, collect your bags and you’ll be 31 kilometers from the center of town.

Irvine is serviced by 14 airlines from at least 47 airports across the globe.

Flights into Irvine are typically run by British Airways. The highest number of these flights jet off from London, with British Airways servicing this route the most.

Flying to a new place is much easier when there aren’t any annoying stopovers. If you’re heading to Irvine, the good news is that there are 501 nonstop flights operating each week.

Travelers often depart from London, Dublin and Belfast airports when flying to Irvine.

Where you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to see. From London to Irvine, the average flight time is 1 hour and 23 minutes. From Dublin it’s typically 1 hour and 8 minutes, and from Belfast it’s 46 minutes.

If you want to save some cash on your Irvine vacation, listen up! As any experienced jet-setter knows, don’t book at the very last minute. Airfares are generally more expensive just prior to the departure date. Don’t stop there, though. Do some research and check if there are a couple of airports at your destination. Prices often differ depending on the airport you go for. Remember to compare fares across airlines as well. Lastly, be ready to book quickly if you stumble on a great deal. It might not stick around for too long! With a bit of knowledge and some luck, the perfect fare will be yours.

If you’re poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a stress-free start to your getaway in Irvine.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a great experience if you pack the right gear. First things first, you’ll need toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, find a spot in your carry-on bag for your laptop, a charger, your important medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp or pointed objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and poisons, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The long, narrow aisles of an airplane are not the place for a fashion parade. Wear comfortable clothes and take a sweater as it tends to get cool in the cabin on long-haul flights. Flat, enclosed shoes are also a good idea.
• A condition by the name of DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a risk on long-haul flights. It’s the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation. Walking up and down the aisle and doing leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this developing. Wearing a good pair of compression tights or socks can also help.

It’s all about being organized. We’ve put together some useful tips for a hassle-free trip through security. Watch out Irvine, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you’re less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items are not allowed on board. They’ll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.