To include over 40 cities worldwide
Emirates Airlines has continued to strengthen its commitment to facilitating seamless travel experiences for all, by organizing specially designed travel experiences for individuals with autism in more than 40 cities around the globe over the past year.
These experiences have positively impacted over 250 families, aiming to help children and young adults with autism familiarize themselves with the environment of travel through airports. This initiative allows them to prepare for real flights by reducing anxiety and encouraging them to travel with greater confidence.
After receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, schools, and autism organizations regarding the initial travel experience held in Dubai, Emirates Airlines has expanded this initiative into a program implemented across its global network. Since April 2025, Emirates airport service teams have facilitated over 40 travel experiences in airports in cities including Accra, Athens, Bali, Bangalore, Barcelona, Bologna, Brussels, Cairo, Christchurch, Da Nang, Delhi, Dubai, Dublin, Durban, Düsseldorf, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Harare, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Luanda, Madrid, Mauritius, Milan, Newcastle, Nice, Orlando, Oslo, Paris, Peshawar, Port Louis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney, Toronto, Thiruvananthapuram, Venice, and Vienna.
Additionally, more than 35,000 Emirates staff members have undergone training to assist travelers with autism, ensuring their travel experience is pleasant while they enjoy the “travel experience”. Emirates teams work closely with airport authorities and partners to guarantee that each trial travel experience is supportive and successful for the families involved.
Sami Aqeel Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services and Business Support in overseas stations, stated, “Emirates’ travel experience program has achieved remarkable success across six continents, thanks to the collaboration and enthusiasm from all stakeholders, including our Emirates teams, airport partners, and parents and educators who trust us to support their children. We are dedicated to continuing this success by expanding the program to include more locations, teams, and families, enabling more children and young adults with autism to travel with confidence.”
Handling sensory stimuli
Being the first certified airline for travelers with autism, Emirates understands that international air travel poses significant challenges for many families with an autistic member. For individuals with autism, air travel is often avoided due to the numerous sensory stimuli they encounter. A survey conducted by AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families with an autistic member hesitate to travel or visit new places for these reasons, as the airport environment is filled with unfamiliar activities and stimuli, making planning and predictability essential to facilitate travel for those affected by autism.
The “travel experience” initiative organized by Emirates, with support from international airport teams, border control, security, schools, and specialized autism centers worldwide, is designed to allow individuals with neurodiversity to engage in a realistic travel experience through the airport. They practice check-in procedures, luggage handling, navigating passport and security checks, as well as experiencing bustling shops and restaurants. Participants receive boarding passes and have the opportunity to meet numerous staff members, with some participants even able to board an aircraft at certain airports.
International acclaim
The Emirates initiative has received widespread international recognition, with parents, doctors, educators, young adults, and children involved in travel training affirming that this experience significantly reduced their anxiety and stress levels, providing them with a sense of familiarity that effectively contributes to their overall enjoyment of smooth and successful flights through the comfort of supervised preparation.
A founder of an autism center and a parent in Accra, Ghana, remarked on the Emirates initiative, saying, “I felt incredibly relieved to see how an organization like Emirates Airlines considers the needs of children with special requirements in its operational strategies. The tremendous support offered to families during travel provides a wonderful sense of comfort and reassurance.”
Thirteen-year-old Noah from Düsseldorf, Germany, shared, “I’m not scared anymore; I might be able to fly again next year. It used to be terrifying, but now I feel fine.”
A proud atmosphere
The leader of a group for children with autism in Edinburgh, Ireland, expressed, “The moment the Emirates A350 aircraft arrived at the gate and the pilots waved at the children was one of the best moments of the day. This experience sparked immense excitement among the participants. By the end of the evening, smiles filled the space, and a sense of pride and joy permeated the atmosphere. The children returned home with bags filled with Emirates gifts, creating an unforgettable experience. It was a truly wonderful and fruitful day, and we are grateful to everyone involved in supporting this event.”
A parent of a participant in Brussels stated, “We are delighted to see and feel that, even in this busy world, there are still those who care for those who need a bit of extra assistance. Thanks to this experience, our child has formed a real picture of what to expect from a flight, as he couldn’t have imagined it through explanations alone. We are grateful for this incredibly beneficial experience with our son. Thank you.”
Seven-year-old Oscar from Düsseldorf, Germany, said, “I really enjoyed it; I was allowed to handle the luggage. Everything was fantastic, especially the lounge, the luggage checkpoint, and the airplane.”
A parent representing a support organization in Barcelona, Spain, commented, “Thank you for this experience. From what the participants said, I believe it was a perfect experience, and Mario is still saying it was the best day of his life.”
The leader of an autism group in Brussels, Belgium, added, “The efforts made by Emirates to raise awareness, understanding, and sensitivity towards individuals with sensory disorders deserve high praise. Your approach embodies insight, respect, and true commitment, making the world a better place for them. It is truly inspiring to see the extent of care and attention given to this matter. We hope other airlines will follow your lead, and that awareness continues to grow. Thank you very much for this wonderful experience.”
Nineteen-year-old Eric from Düsseldorf, Germany, noted, “It was a beautiful experience as I had never visited an airport before. I rode a very strange bus with doors on both sides, and the cockpit was amazing. I was surprised to receive a gift, and I was very happy; everything was unfamiliar, but good, and I understood everything that was explained to me.”
A delightful experience
A teacher from Accra, Ghana, said, “I was very excited as the travel date approached with my students. The Emirates team was incredibly welcoming and supportive, doing their utmost to make our travel enjoyable yet comfortable. From sensory-friendly spaces to tailored support addressing their needs, every detail was thoughtfully considered. We greatly enjoyed the company of the airline’s staff, who fully understood our requirements and were delighted to have us. Thank you for making this day unforgettable.”
A representative from the Okafi organization in Madrid, Spain, remarked, “The experience you provided was priceless. We are immensely grateful for the warm welcome we received. We were impressed with the meticulous preparations for ticket processing, passport checks, boarding the aircraft, and meeting the flight crew. We consider this journey a significant step forward. The children returned incredibly happy, and even a week later, they are still talking about the visit. Family feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”
A representative from the Autism Development Office in South Africa stated, “During such times, we are deeply grateful. Considering children with autism has been immensely important for their families. You helped us understand their travel aspirations and the destinations they wish to visit. One parent mentioned they had never asked their child where they wanted to go, presuming they wouldn’t know of any destination.”
Hospitality and care
The mother of a participant from Hungary reflected on the experience, saying, “Thank you, Emirates. You helped us immensely in providing our child with a smooth experience from check-in to boarding. Our challenge was navigating the passenger bridge, but now we feel reassured that our child will be fine. We also appreciate your hospitality and the patience of Emirates staff. Our child was very eager to board the plane, and we returned home with positive experiences. He even wore the cap you gifted him to school today.”
A parent from Angola mentioned, “I haven’t traveled in ten years due to my concerns for my child. However, I feel more confident after this experience, and I hope to plan a trip with him,” while another parent of a child named Nuri from Oslo stated, “Thank you for the organization; your team was incredibly professional and kind. I am very grateful to the crew member who took Nuri on a familiarization tour; he loved it. He was also thrilled with the gift bag, and his smile grew wider as we got closer to home. You truly did an amazing job.”
A doctor from the Kozula Mona Child Development Center in Angola commented, “This was a unique experience that transcended just a visit to the airport. It was a gesture of respect, care, and appreciation for everyone’s right to belong, travel, and live a dignified life. Every smile, every achievement, and every meaningful glance from our children and families revealed the true essence of inclusion: creating safe, welcoming, and accessible spaces for all.”
A teacher at Pitau-Alinville School in Christchurch, New Zealand, noted, “Every smile, every achievement, and every profound look from our children and families revealed the true meaning of inclusion through creating safe, welcoming, and accessible environments for all. What a fantastic experience you provided for our students on Friday. As a teacher of special needs students for over 20 years, I can attest that this was one of the best experiences I have attended. Everyone praised the care and attention shown by the entire Emirates team and the ground staff at Christchurch Airport. We now have families feeling confident to try traveling! We are proud to have an Emirates aircraft model displayed in our school reception.”
Emirates Airlines will continue to organize the “travel experience” for individuals with autism throughout its global network in 2026, inviting more schools and centers that specialize in the care of children and young adults with autism to participate.
Support and assistance
The airline is also focused on providing a range of sensory-friendly Emirates products and games onboard across all classes for all ages, including travelers with special needs, along with supporting and assisting anyone who may experience difficulties onboard, even for travelers facing anxiety as needed.
The comprehensive and accessible travel center at Emirates Airlines offers extensive information on enjoying a comfortable travel experience on the airline’s website, Emirates.com. The site is user-friendly, allowing travelers to easily find information and explore the various support and assistance options provided by Emirates Airlines.
To alleviate feelings of anxiety among families and individuals before traveling, they can review information in various sections according to the type of disability, including hidden disabilities. They can also review details specific to each stage of the journey, clearly arranged: pre-flight, departing from Dubai, boarding the plane, layovers in Dubai, and arriving in Dubai. A third option allows travelers to browse according to specific needs, including a “preparing for travel” guide with helpful information for individuals with autism, a map of Dubai International Airport, and sensory guidelines that facilitate smooth travel through the airport.