Emirates has strengthened its commitment to inclusive travel by successfully conducting more than 40 specialised travel rehearsals for children and young adults with autism across its global network, positively impacting over 250 families and helping to ease the anxiety often associated with air travel.
The initiative, known as Emirates Travel Rehearsals, was developed to support neurodivergent passengers by allowing them to experience and practice the airport journey in advance of an actual flight. The programme is designed to build familiarity, reduce sensory-related stress, and empower participants to travel with greater confidence. Following the success of initial pilot sessions in Dubai, which received strong feedback from families, schools, and autism organisations, Emirates formalised the initiative through its Office of Accessibility & Inclusion and began rolling it out internationally.
Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have coordinated more than 40 travel rehearsals across six continents, working closely with airport authorities, border control, and security agencies, as well as autism centres and schools. The programme has been implemented in cities 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, demonstrating the airline’s global reach and coordinated approach.
To support the initiative, more than 35,000 Emirates employees have undergone specialised training to assist customers with autism and facilitate the travel rehearsal experience. These teams work collaboratively with airport partners to ensure that each session is structured, supportive, and tailored to the needs of participating families.
Speaking on the programme’s impact, Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, described the initiative as a resounding success, highlighting the level of collaboration between Emirates teams, airport stakeholders, and the families and educators who have entrusted the airline with supporting their children. He noted that the airline plans to expand the programme further, reaching more locations and enabling more families to benefit from the experience.
As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates recognises that air travel can present significant challenges for individuals on the autism spectrum, largely due to the intense sensory environment of airports and the unpredictability of travel processes. Research published on AutismTravel.com indicates that 78 percent of families are hesitant to travel or visit new destinations for these reasons. For many neurodivergent individuals, predictability and routine are essential, making unfamiliar airport environments particularly overwhelming.
The travel rehearsals are structured as real-time simulations of the airport journey, enabling participants to practice key processes such as check-in, baggage drop, immigration, and security screening. They are also introduced to the busy atmosphere of airport retail and dining areas, issued mock boarding passes, and given the opportunity to interact with airline and airport staff. In some locations, participants are even granted access to actual aircraft, offering a more immersive experience.
Feedback from parents, therapists, teachers, and participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting that the rehearsals provide a sense of preparedness and confidence that significantly improves the likelihood of a successful travel experience. By combining structured exposure with trained support staff, Emirates continues to position itself at the forefront of accessible aviation, demonstrating how targeted initiatives can transform travel into a more inclusive experience for all.
