Emirates Becomes the First Autism Certified Airline™: A Step Toward Inclusive Air Travel
For families traveling with children on the autism spectrum, navigating air travel can be a challenging experience. Emirates is set to change that by becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™. This groundbreaking initiative, developed in collaboration with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), promises a more accessible and inclusive experience for neurodiverse passengers.
With certification expected in the coming months, Emirates is introducing new standards, staff training, and services to make air travel more comfortable for individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities.
What Does It Mean to Be an Autism Certified Airline™?
The Autism Certified Airline™ designation reflects Emirates’ commitment to creating a welcoming travel experience for passengers with autism. Achieving this certification involves:
1. Extensive Staff Training
• Over 30,000 Emirates staff members, including cabin crew and ground staff, are undergoing specialized autism and sensory-awareness training.
• At least 80% of customer-facing staff will be certified, ensuring they have the skills to address the needs of neurodiverse passengers.
2. Thorough Audits and Standards
• Emirates partnered with IBCCES to conduct detailed flight audits, sensory environment reviews, and passenger feedback analyses.
• These audits helped develop new industry standards for accommodating passengers with autism, covering every aspect of the travel experience—from check-in to in-flight services.
What Families Can Expect in the Future
As part of the Autism Certified Airline™ program, Emirates is rolling out several new services and tools in 2025 and beyond:
1. Sensory Guides
• Digital tools designed to help travelers assess sensory environments, such as sound levels and lighting, enabling them to plan ahead for a smoother journey.
2. Sensory Products
• Emirates plans to introduce neurodiverse-friendly tools like fidget toys and calming aids to reduce stress and provide comfort during flights.
3. Accessible Ground Services
• Emirates is enhancing its services at Dubai International Airport, already recognized as a Certified Autism Centre™, to ensure seamless support from check-in to boarding.
Why This Matters for Families
Traveling with children on the autism spectrum can often feel overwhelming. According to a survey by AutismTravel.com:
• 78% of families are hesitant to travel due to sensory challenges.
• 94% would travel more often if autism-certified services were available.
Emirates’ initiative directly addresses these concerns, empowering families to travel with confidence.
Dubai’s Role as a Leader in Accessible Tourism
This initiative is part of a larger vision for Dubai to become the most accessible destination in the world. In collaboration with organizations like IBCCES, Emirates is aligning with Dubai’s plans to:
• Establish Dubai as the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Promote accessibility at every stage of the travel experience.
Emirates’ efforts, combined with the autism certification of Dubai International Airport, are paving the way for a more inclusive global travel industry.
What This Means for the Future of Air Travel
With this certification, Emirates is setting a new benchmark for accessibility in aviation. Families traveling with neurodiverse children can look forward to:
• Better-trained staff who understand the unique needs of passengers with autism.
• Calmer, sensory-friendly environments onboard and at the airport.
• Tools and resources designed to make travel planning and execution easier for families.
By becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, Emirates is not just transforming the travel experience for neurodiverse individuals—it’s inspiring the entire aviation industry to follow suit.
