Emirates is a leading airline that is committed to providing accessible and safe air travel for all passengers, including neurodiverse children and their families. To demonstrate this commitment and raise awareness of autism, Emirates recently organized a real check-in experience and familiarization flight at Terminal 3 Dubai International Airport (DXB) for 30 families with neurodiverse children. The initiative was designed to help the children practice and feel more comfortable before boarding an actual flight and to provide valuable insights for developing more accessible travel options.
The children, aged between 8 and 12 years old, were from prominent institutions such as the Dubai Autism Centre, Safe Centre for Autism, Rashid Centre for People of Determination, and the New England Centre Children Clinic, along with their caregivers. The event was attended by Her Excellency Hessa BuHumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority of Dubai, and members of the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES).
According to the IBCCES study, only 13% of families with neurodiverse children surveyed take family vacations due to the stress and sensory overload associated with the airport and flight experience. However, 93% of families surveyed expressed interest in taking more trips if more autism-certified options and support were available. In response to this need, Emirates and IBCCES are collaborating to develop an official Autism-friendly inflight certification that could be adopted by other airlines.
In addition to this initiative, Emirates has already achieved significant milestones in making air travel more accessible for neurodiverse passengers and People of Determination. All Dubai Check-In facilities, including Emirates City Check-In & Travel Store in DIFC, Emirates Cruise Check-In – Port Rashid, Emirates Cruise Check In – Dubai Harbour, Emirates City Check-In Ajman, and Emirates’ dedicated hub in Terminal 3, were awarded the Certified Autism Center™ Designation.
Emirates and its partners provide various forms of support to neurodivergent passengers, including employee training on assisting passengers with hidden disabilities, providing information in advance, offering free seat selection and bulkhead seats for autistic passengers and companions, and applying the DPNA code (airline industry code for special service request) for passengers with intellectual or developmental disability.
Emirates has also collaborated with Dubai International Airport to create the Autism Friendly Guide to Dubai International Airport, a comprehensive pre-travel planning tool that provides a step-by-step explanation and images of every part of the journey through the airport to boarding and details what services are available. Passengers with sensory sensitivities can pre-order special meals, request noise-cancelling headphones or have the cabin lights turned off, and enjoy the Emirates ‘Fly with Me’ activity pack or the world-class entertainment library with over 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment.
Emirates’ dedication to making air travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone is commendable. By collaborating with key partners and developing an official Autism-friendly inflight certification, Emirates is setting a high standard for other airlines to follow. The various forms of support provided by Emirates and its partners, from employee training to providing information in advance and offering free seat selection and bulkhead seats for autistic passengers and companions, make air travel a more comfortable experience for neurodivergent passengers and People of Determination. The Autism Friendly Guide to Dubai International Airport, pre-order meals, noise-cancelling headphones, Fly with Me activity pack, and world-class entertainment library are also excellent resources that help passengers with hidden disabilities enjoy a stress-free and comfortable flight experience.
