Emirates has continued its commitment to making travel more accessible for all by successfully arranging bespoke Emirates Travel Rehearsals across more than 40 cities worldwide over the past year. With more than 250 families positively impacted, these rehearsals are designed to support children and young adults with autism by allowing them to practice the airport journey in advance, helping to ease travel anxiety and build confidence for real flights. Following the initial success of the programme in Dubai, which received positive feedback from families, schools and autism organisations, the Emirates Office of Accessibility & Inclusion formalised the initiative into an official programme for rollout across its global network.

Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have organised over 40 travel rehearsals 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. More than 35,000 Emirates employees have been trained to support customers with autism, helping to facilitate both travel and the rehearsals. The airline works closely with airport authorities and partners to ensure each session is supportive and successful for participating families. Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President of Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, described the programme as a resounding success across six continents, highlighting the strong collaboration between Emirates teams, airport partners, and the parents and educators who entrusted the airline to support their children. He added that Emirates aims to expand the programme further to reach more locations, involve more teams, and empower even more families to travel with confidence.


As the world’s first autism-certified airline, Emirates recognises that international air travel can be highly challenging for many families due to the intense sensory environment, leading some to avoid travel altogether. A survey on AutismTravel.com found that 78 percent of families are hesitant to travel or visit new destinations for this reason. For individuals with autism, predictability and planning are essential, and airports can present overwhelming uncertainty. The Emirates Travel Rehearsals address this by offering a structured, real-time simulation of the airport experience. Conducted in collaboration with airport authorities, border control, security teams, and autism centres worldwide, these sessions allow participants to practice check-in, baggage drop, immigration and security procedures, as well as experience busy retail and dining areas. Participants receive mock boarding passes, meet airport staff, and in some cases are given access to real aircraft, helping them become familiar with the full journey in a supportive environment.

Feedback from participants across different countries has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents, therapists, teachers and participants have described the experience as invaluable in helping them prepare for safe and successful travel by providing familiarity, reassurance and access to trained, supportive staff. Many shared that the rehearsals reduced fear and anxiety, enabled children to better understand what to expect, and even renewed their confidence in travelling after years of avoidance. Educators and autism group leaders also noted the emotional impact of the programme, highlighting moments of joy, excitement and pride among participants, as well as the sense of inclusion and care demonstrated throughout the experience.

Emirates will continue to expand the Travel Rehearsal programme throughout 2026, inviting more schools and autism centres to participate across its global network. In addition, the airline offers a range of sensory products and fidget toys onboard across all cabin classes to support neurodiverse passengers, nervous travellers, and anyone who may require additional comfort during their journey. The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on its website provides comprehensive information to support accessible travel, featuring easy navigation that allows customers to explore assistance options by type of disability, stage of the journey, or specific needs. Resources include autism-friendly travel guides, airport maps, and sensory guides designed to help reduce anxiety and ensure a smoother travel experience from pre-departure through to arrival.