Aha! Plane attire: one of my favorite topics! The best advice, obviously, is to wear something you're comfortable in (particularly on a long flight or a red-eye), but if you want to delve a little deeper, here are some of my go-to rules when dressing for the plane:

• Long pants--no capris or skirts--to keep chills away from ankles.
• Shoes that can be slipped on and off easily (and--or at the very least or--thick socks. Have you seen those airplane bathroom floors?!)
• Speaking of shoes, no heels. Been there, done that, got the blisters.
• No white. Or cream. Or beige. In fact, head-to-toe black is often the safest way to go.
• Layers for peeling on and off (airplane AC is notoriously fickle)
• No dangly earrings (I've lost too many while dozing against the headrest)
• A wrap or pashmina (which ties very neatly to a bag handle like a scarf, thus freeing up valuable real estate in your carry-on) in case the blankets have all been taken by the time you board.
• Nothing sloppy or slobby--one should always hold out hope of getting upgraded (hint: if they're considering you based upon appearance, apparently the shoes are where they look first. Sneakers probably won't make it into the Business Class cabin.)
• No pajamas! Honestly, I can't count how many people I've seen flying in pajama pants. Wear some neat and tidy track pants IF YOU MUST, but a pair of loose black pants (or even khakis) will be just as comfy.

Hope you have a safe trip, whatever you wear!

--Holly

Hi Mel,

The answers: younger than you may think, and a 17-year-old can definitely fly as an adult would!

The golden rule of booking a ticket for a minor is to call your airline before booking, but airlines agree that a 17-year-old can book and fly as an adult. In fact, some airlines allow children as young as 12 to fly alone without having to use the airline’s unaccompanied-minor services.

Even if your airline is happy to transport your littlest travelers without imposing their youth service (and its fees), bear in mind that some restrictions may apply, even for teens. It’s common for an airline to restrict children to non-stop flights or to ban them from the last flight of the day (if a flight cancelation results in an overnight stay, children younger than 18 may not be accepted by hotels).

Here are links to some domestic airlines’ minor policies so you can compare:

American Airlines
Continental Airlines
Delta Air Lines
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines
United Airlines
US Airways

A wonderful flight and safe travels to your teen!

Michelle

A seven hour layover sounds great, but let's say you need to be back at the airport two to three hours before your next flight to check in: that would really only give you four or five hours to explore Hong Kong outside the airport. Still, there's quite a bit you can do!

You'll be coming in to the Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok. Ground transportation from there is pretty good, so you could easily get the MTR into the city center (get off at Admiralty or Wan Chai) -- it should only take about half an hour.

Walk around, admire the architecture, do a little shopping in Central (Pacific Place is a large luxury-type mall, or you might want to try The Lanes for faux designer goods), and ride a tram down Des Voeux Road. Take the (free) elevator up the outside of the Hopewell Center in Wan Chai and you'll get a fantastic view of the city. For another excellent view, take the Peak Tram up to the top of Victoria Peak (you'll catch it in Central) -- it's astounding, and the ride itself (sort of like a funicular) is a lot of fun too.

Try and make time for a quick ride on the Star Ferry if you can -- you'll catch it downtown in Central (Admiralty MTR stop) and you'll likely have change from a dollar. It's only a ten-minute crossing but the ferries are from the 1940s and 50s, and it's a fun time. Once you're on Kowloon side, you can admire the Hong Kong skyline from across the water (there's a free laser show every evening if you're there at night) and maybe have a look around the markets of Nathan Road or the western-style shopping centers at Tsim Sha Tsui.

Hope you have an amazing time! You can certainly see a lot of Hong Kong in 4-5 hours.

-- Holly

Even though perfume and cologne can be considered to be flammable, and therefore hazardous, according to the FAA website, you are allowed to bring approved hazardous materials that are considered medicinal and “toilet articles,” which includes such things as nail polish remover, shaving cream in an aerosol container, and, yes, perfume. No spray paint or insecticide, however, just in case you were wondering. For more information, check out the FAA website.

So the answer is yes, you can pack perfume in your checked luggage but you better make sure it’s packed up well so that you don’t face a perfume luggage stink bomb at baggage claim. I’d wrap it in bubble wrap and then bury it deep in your surrounding soft clothes to eliminate the chance the breakage.

If you want to bring your perfume in your carry-on, you can bring it as long as it’s in a three-ounce container or less.

By the way, not everyone will agree with me on this, but please try to avoid wearing the perfume or cologne during the flight. No matter how nice you might think it smells, in the enclosed space of the plane, a strong scent can be cloying to your fellow passengers, especially those who are sensitive or prone to allergies.

Hope you have a great trip and that you smell fabulous during your time in NYC!

Dear Editors,

I've been reading about the new carry-on bag fee that Spirit Airlines will start charging their customers. At first, I wasn't really concerned because I don't fly them, but then I started reading about other airlines doing the same thing. What do you think?

Evelyn

Hi Evelyn,

I've spent the past week conducting media interviews on the new Spirit Airlines carry-on bag fee and was asked whether or not other airlines will follow in every single interview. My response to the question is perhaps a bit unsatisfactory: We'll have to wait and see.

For the time being, the other airlines are going to sit back and watch the reaction to this new fee. For the past couple of years, airlines have made it pretty clear that they're charting their way to an a la carte pricing model, but the carry-on bag fee to be imposed by Spirit Airlines really takes the cake.

Major airlines risk alienating a lot of high paying customers if they start charging for carry-on luggage, and they know this. The biggest difference between Spirit and major carriers is that Spirit relies on the leisure traveler looking for ultra low fares, and the other airlines rely more heavily on the big spending business traveler. No one is going to want to be the first major carrier to start charging for carry-on luggage, leaving travelers with no option but to pay for a bag.

The advice I've been telling travelers is simple: Do the math. If a low fare is what you're after, you may still get that with Spirit even after you add in that baggage fee. But know what you're getting - a no frills flying experience. If you don't believe in the policy, don't fly them. Your dollars will talk.

Happy Travels,

Jennifer

Editors' Note: We're here to help our fellow travelers, so if you have a travel question of your own, just ask! Each week, we'll publish a response to our very favorite question from one of our readers. Need travel help now? Peruse Travelocity's frequently asked questions.