Emirates has reinforced its commitment to making travel more accessible for everyone by successfully organising bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals in more than 40 cities worldwide over the past year. Benefiting over 250 families, these rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism by allowing them to practice the airport journey in advance of an actual flight, helping to reduce travel anxiety and build confidence. Following highly positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations after the initial sessions in Dubai, the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formalised the initiative into an official programme to be implemented across its global network.
Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have collaborated to deliver more than 40 travel rehearsals at airports 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. Over 35,000 Emirates employees have been trained to assist customers with autism, enabling them to facilitate both travel and rehearsal experiences effectively. Emirates teams work closely with airport authorities and partners to ensure each rehearsal is supportive, structured and successful for participating families. Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, described the programme as a major success across six continents, highlighting strong collaboration between Emirates teams, airport partners, and the families, teachers and caregivers involved, while affirming plans to expand the initiative to reach even more communities.
As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates recognises that international air travel can be highly challenging for many families due to sensory stimuli, often leading them to avoid travel altogether. A survey on AutismTravel.com found that 78 percent of families feel hesitant to travel or visit new places for this reason. For individuals with autism, predictability and preparation are essential, yet airports can present unfamiliar processes and overwhelming environments. Emirates Travel Rehearsals address this by offering structured, real-time practice experiences developed in collaboration with airport authorities, border control, security teams, and autism centres worldwide. Participants are guided through each stage of the journey, including check-in, baggage drop, immigration, security screening and navigating retail and dining areas, while interacting with airport staff and using mock boarding passes. In some locations, participants are also given access to real aircraft, further enhancing familiarity and confidence.
Feedback from participants around the world has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents, educators and therapists describing the experience as transformative. Many have highlighted how the rehearsals provide reassurance, reduce fear and enable families to consider air travel for the first time in years. Children and young adults have expressed excitement and pride after completing the experience, while caregivers have noted increased confidence and understanding of the travel process. Educators and autism specialists have also praised the programme for its thoughtful design, attention to detail and meaningful impact, describing it as a powerful example of inclusion in practice.
Emirates will continue expanding the Travel Rehearsal programme throughout 2026, inviting more schools and autism centres to participate. In addition, the airline offers a range of sensory products and fidget toys onboard across all cabin classes to support neurodiverse passengers and those who may feel anxious during flights. The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on its website provides comprehensive, easy-to-navigate information to help customers plan their journeys with confidence. The platform allows users to explore travel guidance based on specific needs, including hidden disabilities, or by different stages of the journey such as before departure, during the flight and upon arrival. It also includes autism-friendly travel guides and sensory maps of Dubai International Airport, all aimed at reducing anxiety and ensuring a smoother, more inclusive travel experience.
