Emirates becomes world’s first autism certified airline (VIDEO)
30,000 staff trained to support neurodiverse passengers worldwide
DUBAI: In a groundbreaking move towards inclusive aviation, Emirates has officially become the world’s first airline to receive Autism Certification, setting a new global standard in accessible air travel.
This milestone underscores the Dubai-based airline’s commitment to ensuring that passengers on the autism spectrum can travel with greater comfort, dignity, and ease.
The certification comes after an extensive year-long process involving a comprehensive review and collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), a global leader in training and certification for autism and neurodiversity support. Emirates has trained more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff to understand and support autistic passengers and those with sensory sensitivities.
Autism training drive
From frontline check-in staff to in-flight crews, Emirates personnel have been equipped with training designed to raise awareness of autism, address misconceptions, and recognise potential triggers such as noise, crowding, and bright lighting. The programme educates staff on how to tailor services to the individual needs of neurodiverse travellers, ensuring that each journey is as comfortable and seamless as possible.
Staff have been taught to recognise signs of sensory overload and apply appropriate responses, including offering support tools such as fidget toys or seating adjustments. These tools can help reduce self-stimulatory behaviours, ease anxiety, and promote focus during flights. Emirates' sensory kits are now available onboard for passengers who may need them.
Global rehearsals
One of the flagship initiatives is the ‘Travel Rehearsal’ programme, designed for children with autism and their families. This unique project allows children to experience a simulated airport journey before undertaking a real flight. It includes practicing check-in procedures, going through security, and experiencing boarding – all in a controlled and supportive environment.
Originally piloted in Dubai in collaboration with local schools and autism centres, the success of the initiative has led to its global expansion. Travel rehearsals are now available in 17 cities including Manchester, Montreal, Barcelona, Paris, Durban, Nice, and Cebu. These monthly sessions are coordinated with local autism support centres and are offered on an invitation basis.
Parents, therapists and educators have praised the initiative, noting significant reductions in travel-related stress and improved flight experiences for children with autism. The feedback has encouraged Emirates to pursue further expansion of the programme across its global network.
Sensory-aware services
A suite of sensory-informed services has been introduced to complement the airline’s inclusive training. Emirates now provides sensory guides that allow travellers to understand and anticipate the sensory environment at various airport touchpoints. These guides are available digitally and include detailed information on lighting, noise levels, crowding, and potential smells at check-in areas, boarding gates, lounges and baggage claims.
These guides help individuals and families create a sensory-friendly travel plan, reducing the unpredictability that often triggers anxiety. This effort forms part of Emirates’ wider strategy to build inclusive travel systems not only for autistic travellers, but also for those with other neurodiverse needs.
In April 2024, Emirates became the first airline to receive autism certification across all its check-in facilities in Dubai. This includes its main terminal at Dubai International Airport (DXB) as well as urban locations like the Emirates City Check-in and Travel Store in DIFC, the Cruise Check-In centres at Port Rashid and Dubai Harbour, and the Emirates City Check-In in Ajman.
Entertainment and awareness
During Autism Awareness Month in April 2025, Emirates launched a specially curated section on its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, spotlighting neurodiversity through films, TV series, and podcasts. Selections included Temple Grandin, Ezra, The Flight of Bryan, and BBC’s Inside Our Autistic Minds, alongside family-friendly options like Carl the Collector – a cartoon featuring a raccoon character with autism.
The aim was to create global awareness and educate passengers on autism in an engaging, relatable format. These titles were viewed by millions of passengers throughout the month, further reinforcing Emirates’ message of inclusion.
Collaborative efforts
The Travel Rehearsal initiative and certification achievements are the result of extensive collaboration between Emirates and a variety of Dubai stakeholders. These include the Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Dubai Airports, Dubai Police, Dubai Customs, and the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs. Local centres such as the Dubai Autism Centre and Safe Center for Autism also played a key role in shaping these inclusive practices.
The foundational travel rehearsal in Dubai was initially created in 2023 with input from special needs schools, educators and caregivers. Participants included teachers, therapists and family members, who all worked together with Emirates teams to simulate the full airport experience — from dropping off luggage to boarding a plane.
According to data from AutismTravel.com, 78% of families with an autistic member are hesitant to travel due to the sensory challenges involved, while 94% said they would travel more if destinations and services were autism-certified. Emirates’ pioneering initiatives directly respond to this gap, empowering more families to consider international travel with confidence.