Emirates has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all, by arranging Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities globally over the past year.
With more than
250 families positively impacted, Emirates Travel Rehearsals are designed to
support children and young adults with autism, allowing them to practice the
journey through the airport to prepare for real flights - easing travel anxiety
and empowering them to fly with more confidence.
After the initial
Emirates Travel Rehearsals in Dubai resulted in positive feedback from
families, schools and autism organisations; the Emirates Office of
Accessibility & Inclusion formulated the travel rehearsal into an official
programme, to be rolled out across its global network.
Since April 2025,
Emirates’ Airport Services teams have come together to arrange more than 40 of
these travel rehearsals across airports like 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 Luis, Rome, Stansted, Stockholm, Sydney,
Toronto, Trivandrum, Venice and Vienna.
More than 35,000
Emirates staff have been trained to support customers with autism and can help
facilitate travel, and Travel Rehearsals.
Emirates teams
work very closely with airport authorities and partners to make sure each
rehearsal is a supportive and successful experience for the families.
Sami Aqil
Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation &
Business Support, commented: “The Emirates Travel Rehearsal programme has been
a resounding success across 6 continents, with impressive collaboration and
drive shown by all stakeholders, from our own Emirates teams to our airport
partners, and the parents and teachers who trusted us to support their
children. We will continue to amplify this success with more locations, more
teams involved, and more families positively impacted and empowered to fly with
confidence.”
What is an Emirates
Travel Rehearsal?
As the world’s
first autism certified airline, Emirates is aware that for many families,
international air travel is a highly challenging experience, or something to be
avoided completely due to the high level of sensory stimuli that is involved. A
survey on AutismTravel.com revealed that 78% of families are hesitant
to travel or visit new locations for these reasons. For many people with
autism, planning and predictability is critical – and an airport represents a
world of unknown processes and stimuli.
Emirates Travel
Rehearsals are a purposeful community collaboration and learning exercise
arranged by Emirates, with the support of international airport teams, Border
Control and Security teams, and schools and centres for autism based all around
the world. The travel rehearsals empower neurodivergent people to participate
in a real-time journey through the airport, practicing the actions of checking
in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, and experiencing
the hustle and bustle of retail and dining areas. While familiarising
themselves with the airport, participants are also issued mock boarding passes
and given the chance to meet the many uniformed staff encountered along the
way. In some airports, Emirates’ teams managed to arrange access to real
aircraft for the children and young adults.
Positive feedback from participants
Now on an
international level - parents, therapists, teachers, young adults and children
involved in the travel rehearsals so far have reported to Emirates that the
experience has been invaluable in helping them have a safe and successful
flight, by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as
trained staff to support.
“The relief
experienced when institutions like Emirates have considered children with
neurological differences in their operational strategies! To know a parent is
welcomed with massive support during travels is such a beautiful feeling. It’s
like a road to freedom for my child.” From an Autism Center founder and parent,
Accra.
“Now I am not
afraid anymore! Maybe we can fly again next year. Before it was terrible. But
now I can leave my fears somewhere else.” From Noah in Dusseldorf, 13 years
old.
“A real highlight
of the day was watching the Emirates A350 arrive on stand, with the Captains
waving to the children - a moment that sparked huge excitement. By the end of
the evening, smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was filled with pride
and joy. The children headed home with their bags they had “checked in,” filled
with Emirates goodies, making the experience even more memorable. It was an
incredibly rewarding day, and we’re grateful to everyone who took part and
supported this.” From an Autism Group Leader, Edinburgh.
“It is
heartwarming to see and feel that in this busy world, there is still time taken
to think of those who need just a little extra care. Thanks to this experience,
our child can finally form a real picture of what to expect from an air‑travel
holiday, because with explanations alone, he simply cannot imagine it. We found
it incredibly fun and very helpful to experience this together with our son!
Thank you!” From a Parent in Brussels.
“Interesting! I
was allowed to control the baggage belt. Everything was great. Especially the
picnic room (lounge), the weapon control (security), the aircraft, just
everything!” From Oskar in Dusseldorf, 7 years old.
“Thank you for
yesterday’s experience. From what participants have said, I think it couldn’t
have been better, Mario is still saying that it was the best day of his life.” Parent
from Fundación Friends, Barcelona.
“The effort that
Emirates put into creating more awareness, understanding, and sensitivity
towards people with an invisible disability deserves the highest appreciation.
Your approach shows insight, respect, and genuine commitment, making the world
a better place and the lives of people with disabilities more liveable. It is
inspiring to see how much care and attention you put into this. Hopefully,
other airlines will follow your example, and awareness for people with
disabilities will continue to grow. Thank you very much for this wonderful
experience.” From an Autism Group leader in Brussels.
“Unusual, I have
never been to an airport. Very strange bus, it had doors on both sides. Cockpit
was very cool! I was surprised to receive a present, I was very happy!
Everything was unusual but fine and I could understand everything what was
explained.” From Erik in Dusseldorf, 19 years old.
‘I was buzzing
with excitement as the day approached with my students. Emirates’ team were
incredibly welcoming and supportive, going above and beyond to make our travel
experience both exciting and comfortable. From sensory-friendly spaces to
tailored support, every detail was thoughtful. We had so much fun with the
staff they truly understood us and were thrilled to have us. Thanks for making
it a memorable day’. From a Class Teacher in Accra.
“The experience
you’ve given us is invaluable. We continue to be overwhelmed by the welcome we
received. We loved all the details and preparation of the tickets at check-in,
controls, boarding, and meeting the crew. We consider it a very significant
step forward. The boys and girls came back very happy and after a week they are
still remembering and talking about the visit. The feedback from families has
also been very positive.” Representative from the Fundación Aucavi, Madrid.
“Thank you can
feel so light at times like these. To think of our children with autism was
such an honor for families. You unpacked travel aspirations they have, their
desired destinations. One parent said they never ever asked their son where he
would like to visit thinking he knows no destinations.” Representative from the
Regional Development Office for Autism, South Africa
“Thank you,
Emirates. It helped us a lot that we could go through the check-in process all
the way to boarding the plane (the problem for us was/is the transportation on
the passenger bridge, but now we know that it’ll be fine for our child too).
Special thanks for your hospitality, and for the patience of Emirates staff.
Our little boy had a great desire to board a plane, we returned home enriched
with positive experiences. He also went to school today in the hat he
received.” Parent from Hungary
“I haven’t
travelled in ten years out of fear for my child. After this experience, I feel
more confident and hope to plan a trip with him.” Parent from Angola
“A million thanks
for organizing, your team was incredibly professional and kind. My gratitude to
the crew member who showed Nore around, it made his day! He was also over the
moon with the goodie bag he received, his smile got bigger and bigger as we reached
home. You really did an amazing job when he finished his day by raising his
arms and shouted: “I love being an autist”!” Parent of Nore from Oslo.
“It was more than
an airport experience. It was a gesture of respect, care, and recognition of
everyone’s right to belonging, to travel, and to live fully. Each smile, each
achievement, and each emotional glance from our little ones and their families
revealed the true meaning of inclusion: creating safe, welcoming, and
accessible spaces for everyone.” Doctor from Kuzola Mona Children Development
Centre, Angola.
“Wow what an
experience you provided our students on Friday. As a teacher of students with
specialist needs for over 20 years this was one of the best things I have
attended. Everyone commented on the care and attention from the whole Emirates
team and the ground crew at Christchurch airport. We now have families who feel
confident to give travel a go! Emirates aircraft model now has a new home, at
the school reception.” Teacher from Pītau-Allenvale School, Christchurch.
Emirates’
continuous support for neurodiverse customers
Emirates will
continue to arrange Travel Rehearsals across its global network throughout
2026, inviting more schools and centres to participate.
Emirates’ range
of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages continue to be available
onboard in all cabin classes, for passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who
is struggling onboard or is a nervous traveller.
Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com has been designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support.
Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Hidden Disabilities.
If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide and Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides. -TradeArabia News Service