Emirates completes more than 40 Travel Rehearsals for youth with autism globally, easing travel anxiety for more than 250 families

Emirates has taken a remarkable step toward inclusive travel by completing more than 40 Travel Rehearsals for youth with autism across six continents, positively impacting over 250 families worldwide

What the Programme Does
- Purpose: Helps children and young adults with autism practice the airport journey — from check-in and baggage drop to immigration, security, and even boarding — reducing anxiety and building confidence.
- Global Reach: Conducted in cities including Dubai, Delhi, London, Barcelona, Sydney, Toronto, and many more.
- Staff Training: Over 35,000 Emirates staff have been trained to support neurodiverse passengers.
- Collaboration: Coordinated with airport authorities, border control, security teams, schools, and autism centres.

Impactful Experiences
- Families reported feeling “a road to freedom” as children overcame fears of flying.
- Participants received mock boarding passes, met uniformed staff, and in some cases even explored real aircraft.
- Feedback from parents, teachers, and autism organisations highlighted the programme’s role in making air travel more accessible and less intimidating.

Emirates’ Broader Accessibility Commitment
- Recognised as the world’s first autism-certified airline.
- Offers sensory-friendly products and fidget toys onboard.
- Provides an Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com, with autism-friendly guides, sensory maps of Dubai Airport, and tailored travel information.

This initiative shows how airlines can transform the travel experience for neurodiverse passengers by combining empathy, preparation, and practical rehearsal.