Emirates Empowers Over 250 Families Through Global Autism Travel Rehearsal Initiative

Emirates has reinforced its commitment to making travel more accessible for all by successfully organising bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals in more than 40 cities worldwide over the past year. Benefiting over 250 families, these rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism by allowing them to practise the airport journey ahead of real flights, helping to reduce travel anxiety and build confidence. Following positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations after the initial sessions in Dubai, the Emirates Office of Accessibility and Inclusion formalised the initiative into an official programme for rollout across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have collaborated to deliver more than 40 travel rehearsals across airports 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, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna. More than 35,000 Emirates employees have been trained to support customers with autism and to help facilitate both travel and rehearsal experiences. Emirates teams work closely with airport authorities and partners to ensure each rehearsal is structured, supportive and successful for participating families. Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support, described the programme as a strong success across six continents, highlighting the collaboration between Emirates teams, airport partners, and the parents, teachers and caregivers involved, while noting plans to expand the initiative further to reach more communities.

As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates recognises that international air travel can be highly challenging for many families due to intense sensory stimuli, often leading them to avoid travelling altogether. A survey on AutismTravel.com found that 78 per cent of families are hesitant to travel or visit new destinations for this reason. For individuals with autism, predictability and preparation are essential, yet airports can present unfamiliar processes and overwhelming environments. Emirates Travel Rehearsals address this by offering structured, real-time practice experiences developed in collaboration with airport authorities, border control, security teams, and autism centres worldwide. Participants are guided through each stage of the journey, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration and security procedures, as well as navigating retail and dining areas. They are issued mock boarding passes and have the opportunity to interact with airport staff, while in some locations access to real aircraft is also arranged to further enhance familiarity.

Feedback from participants around the world has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents, therapists, teachers, children and young adults describing the experience as highly beneficial. Many have shared that the rehearsals helped reduce fear, provided reassurance and made air travel feel more achievable, in some cases for the first time in years. Participants expressed excitement and pride after completing the experience, while caregivers highlighted the value of preparation, familiarity and the presence of trained, supportive staff. Educators and autism specialists also commended the programme for its thoughtful design, attention to detail and meaningful impact in promoting inclusion.

Emirates will continue expanding the Travel Rehearsal programme throughout 2026, inviting more schools and autism centres to participate. The airline also offers a range of sensory products and fidget toys onboard across all cabin classes to support neurodiverse passengers and those who may feel anxious during flights. In addition, the Emirates Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on its website provides comprehensive, user-friendly information to help customers plan their journeys with confidence. The platform allows users to explore travel guidance based on specific needs, including hidden disabilities, or by different stages of the journey such as before departure, during the flight and upon arrival. It also features autism-friendly travel guides as well as Dubai International Airport maps and sensory guides, all aimed at reducing anxiety and creating a smoother, more inclusive travel experience.