Bring your own everything. It's safer than putting yourself at the airline's mercy. Bring a travel pillow, a blanket or sweater if you tend to get cold, entertainment (PSP, iPod), headphones (preferably noise-canceling ones, which not only combat engine noise brutal in the rear of the plane but make it so that you can hear the plane's entertainment system). And, of course, food: while on-board prices aren't extortionate (a charge airports are far more guilty of), the quality is iffy and the selection meager.
Travel is full of pitfalls. One wrong step and your vacation could be ruined by a seedy hotel room, an overpriced restaurant, a wasted afternoon at a tourist-trap attraction or an overnight flight crammed in the middle seat. So, guarantee a smooth trip by planning thoroughly. Here's how to make all the right moves.