I have recently started an English Paper Piecing project for that purpose too, I am piecing 1" hexagons into flowers. I found it pretty easy to baste and whip stitch even with turbulence on the plane. Fun and easy project. And regarding scissors and pins and needles..I had no problem at all and I was carrying a pack on needles and a few pins and scissors with blunt tips. It is not per airline to decide what items are allowed passed security, but rather TSA in the U.S. And not sure who in Australia.
Now I am thinking I want to make yoyos too.
Have a fabulous trip!