Emirates Becomes World’s First Autism Certified Airline™, Rolls Out ‘Travel Rehearsal’ Programme Globally
Emirates has marked a historic milestone in accessible air travel by becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, with over 30,000 frontline staff and cabin crew trained to support autistic passengers. In line with Autism Awareness Month, the airline has expanded its ‘Travel Rehearsal’ programme to 17 global cities, offering children with autism the chance to simulate the airport and flight experience before traveling.
The initiative began in 2023 in Dubai as a collaborative effort involving Emirates, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Airports, Dubai Police, and local autism centers including Safe Center for Autism, NECC Clinic, Rashid Center, and Dubai Autism Centre. The goal was to reduce travel anxiety by familiarizing children with the airport environment—from check-in and baggage drop to immigration, duty-free zones, and boarding.
Building on its success, Emirates is now rolling out these simulations to cities including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Toronto, and its home base Dubai. These rehearsals are not bookable services but are conducted through invitations in partnership with accredited autism centers and foundations in each location.
The Autism Certified Airline™ designation was granted by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) after more than a year of collaboration with Emirates. The training equips staff with knowledge on autism spectrum disorders, sensory sensitivities, and support strategies tailored to individual needs, ensuring an inclusive travel experience across ground and in-flight services.
Emirates’ Deputy President and COO, Adel Al Redha, emphasized the airline’s dedication to accessibility: “We are proud to lead global efforts in inclusive air travel. The autism certification and our global rehearsal programme are part of our operational strategy and social responsibility to break barriers and make air travel accessible for all.”
To spread awareness, Emirates also curated special content on its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, during April. Featured programming included “Temple Grandin”, “Ezra”, “The Flight of Bryan”, BBC’s “Inside Our Autistic Minds”, and the children’s cartoon “Carl the Collector”.
According to a survey on AutismTravel.com, 78% of families with autistic children are hesitant to travel due to sensory challenges, while 94% indicated they would travel more if destinations and staff were autism-certified. Emirates’ efforts support Dubai’s broader mission to become the most accessible destination in the world, aligning with the city’s Year of Community vision.
Through ongoing partnerships with government bodies and local organizations, Emirates is reshaping the future of air travel—ensuring that individuals with autism can navigate airports and flights with greater ease, confidence, and dignity.
