Emirates has introduced a range of services for travellers with disabilities at the 7th edition of AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai World Trade Centre, aiming to empower customers to fly confidently.
Key initiatives
include the launch of an Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com,
designed to provide comprehensive information tailored to various accessibility
needs.
This hub allows users
to navigate by disability type, travel segment, or specific needs, ensuring
easy access to resources like special assistance booking, sensory guides, and
medical travel information.
The hub underwent a
year-long development, focusing on user-friendly design and accessibility
features, including compliance with assistive technologies. Sections cover
mobility assistance, visual impairment, and family travel, among others, with
ongoing updates planned to meet evolving requirements.
Emirates is also
introducing sensory products and fidget toys onboard, available from November
2025, to support neurodivergent passengers. These items, including tactile
stress relievers and fidget cubes, aim to provide calming stimulation during
flights.
In Business Class, a
new mattress hood enhances comfort for passengers with mobility disabilities,
securing the mattress to the seat and minimising the need for mid-flight
adjustments. This innovation, approved for safety, allows for a more restful
experience.
The airline's inflight
entertainment system, ice, now includes over 600 movies with closed captions
and 200 with audio descriptions, catering to visually impaired passengers. A
new user interface designed in collaboration with advocacy groups enhances accessibility
features for those with low vision.
At Dubai International
Airport, Emirates has implemented a barrier-free corridor with biometric
technology for smooth navigation. Self-service kiosks now feature
text-to-speech capabilities, improved touchscreen usability, and accommodations
for varying heights.
Emirates is also
expanding its chauffeur drive service with a prototype wheelchair-accessible
vehicle, set to roll out a fleet of 10 by early 2026. This vehicle includes an
electric lift for seamless passenger transport and enhanced safety features.
Innovation teams at
Emirates are focused on solutions to improve accessibility, including a
collaboration with Airbus to use QR codes for guiding visually impaired
passengers within the cabin.
Emirates champions
change in the aviation sector, having established an Office of Accessibility
and Inclusion and becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline in March
2025. Over 35,000 staff members have been trained to assist customers with autism,
and the airline has initiated travel rehearsal programmes to help travellers
familiarise themselves with the airport experience.
The airline is
committed to designing processes and products that prioritise the dignity of
customers with accessibility requirements. Recent efforts include a new
Accessibility policy, improved call centre processes, and collaboration with
communities to gather feedback on accessible travel needs.
Emirates is actively advancing the agenda for accessible travel, collaborating with international partners to standardise processes and ensure consistent support across all customer touchpoints, from booking to inflight experiences. Through these initiatives, Emirates aims to make air travel more inclusive for everyone. -TradeArabia News Service