Emirates Named First Autism Certified Airline as it Launches “Travel Rehearsals” for Kids in 17 Cities
As part of Autism Awareness month in April, Emirates is rolling out its Travel Rehearsal programme in 17 global cities. Launched last year, the initiative allows children to rehearse the travel experience and better prepare for real flights.
Emirates has also achieved its designation as the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff now trained to support customers with autism. The Airline recently highlighted autism awareness to millions of passengers globally, showcasing a selection of movies, podcasts and TV shows about neurodiversity on its inflight entertainment system, ice (information, communication, entertainment).
Emirates COO and Deputy President Adel al Redha said: “Emirates has been driving and facilitating good progress in accessible travel, and it is part of our operational strategy. We continue to work on this mission to make travel more inclusive. At the beginning of 2024, we were recognised as a Certified Autism Center™. Now we are also rolling out our Travel Rehearsal programme in cities across the globe, to break barriers and make travel accessible for everyone. This is part of our social and professional responsibility.”
Travel Rehearsals activated in 17 cities
The programme is now available in Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto, with more destinations committing to the programme every month.
The Travel Rehearsal concept first began in 2023, as a community collaboration between Emirates, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs, Dubai Police and Dubai Customs, and several schools and centres for autism in Dubai, whose feedback was invaluable to the process.
The local schools and centres for autism including Safe Center for Autism, The New England Center for Children’s® (NECC®) Clinic, Rashid Center for People of Determination and Dubai Autism Centre were invited to Dubai International to experience a simulation of an airport journey. The children and their teachers and carers got to practice checking in, dropping baggage, going through immigration and security, experiencing the hustle and bustle of Duty Free and familiarising themselves with the airport, boarding passes and the many individuals encountered along the way.
Now on an international level, parents, therapists and teachers involved in the travel rehearsals have reported to Emirates that the experience has been invaluable in helping their child to have a safe and successful flight by offering the comfort of preparation and familiarity, as well as trained staff to support.
Emirates is introducing the travel rehearsal initiative in many cities on its network, with partnering airports, authorities, local centers and foundations. Currently, this is not a bookable service and is available on an invitation basis in collaboration with accredited centers.
First Autism Certified Airline
Emirates has achieved its goal of becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, by completing the training of 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff to understand and support customers with autism. The new training on autism and sensory awareness equips Emirates’ frontline staff with the understanding and skills to address needs of autistic and sensory sensitive travellers, along with their families. It aims to educate Emirates’ teams on the spectrum of autism, misconceptions and challenges faced, the myriad ways to assist customers dependent on their individual needs, and potential stimulus and triggers that staff should be aware of.
The inaugural designation will be awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a leading organization in autism and neurodiversity training and certification. Emirates worked collaboratively with IBCCES for more than a year to create the training after detailed reviews and a comprehensive audit. Using a data-driven approach, Emirates and IBCCES created a new blueprint for serving passengers with accessibility requirements, encompassing the entire journey—from ground services to in-flight services.
Throughout April, Emirates highlighted autism awareness to millions of global passengers on its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. The content included movies such as Temple Grandin, Ezra and The Flight of Bryan, as well as podcasts about Dubai’s autism-friendly mission, documentaries such as Copa 71, BBC docuseries Inside Our Autistic Minds and Carl the Collector—a cartoon about a raccoon character with autism.
Dubai entities work together for Accessible Travel
Air travel can be overwhelming for many people with autism. The high level of sensory stimuli often leads them to avoid it altogether. A survey on AutismTravel.com found that 78% of families hesitate to travel or visit new places. Meanwhile, 94% said they would take more vacations if they could access destinations with autism-trained and certified staff. Through global training and international initiatives, Emirates’ mission to make travel more inclusive and accessible for all also supports Dubai’s ambition to become the most accessible destination in the world.