Emirates Becomes the World’s First Autism Certified Airline™, Enhancing Accessible Travel for All

(IN SHORT) Emirates has become the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™, introducing a series of services and training programs to enhance travel for individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities. Over 30,000 Emirates staff will undergo specialized training, ensuring a more accessible and inclusive travel experience. The airline has also introduced sensory guides and neurodiverse-friendly amenities. This initiative aligns with Dubai’s goal to become the most accessible destination globally, and Emirates’ facilities at Dubai International Airport have already received Certified Autism Center™ designation. New services and standards will continue to roll out in 2025 to further support neurodiverse travelers.

(PRESS RELEASE) Dubai, UAE, 2024-Jan-9 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates has taken a monumental step in making air travel more inclusive by becoming the world’s first Autism Certified Airline™. Beginning with a new initiative aimed at making travel more accessible for individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities, Emirates is rolling out specialized services and training programs to enhance the travel experience for this community. The airline’s staff, including over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff, will undergo autism and sensory awareness training as part of the certification process, which is set to be officially awarded by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in the coming months.

For many in the autism community, air travel presents significant challenges due to sensory overload. A survey by AutismTravel.com highlighted that a vast majority of families with autism are reluctant to travel due to a lack of specialized services. As part of its commitment to making travel more inclusive, Emirates is working to not only provide exceptional service to these passengers but also to support Dubai’s aspiration to become the most accessible destination globally.

The Autism Certified Airline™ designation comes after an extensive collaboration between Emirates and IBCCES, which included comprehensive research and audits to develop new standards in air travel. This data-driven approach incorporates feedback from over 14,000 people with autism and sensory sensitivities, along with insights from over 1,200 industry professionals. Emirates’ focus on creating a seamless travel experience includes offering sensory guides, sensory fidget toys, and other neurodiverse-friendly amenities for customers on flights.

To further support this initiative, Emirates has also achieved Certified Autism Center™ designation for all four of its check-in facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB). These efforts complement the wider goal of making Dubai the first Certified Autism Destination™ in the Eastern Hemisphere, a vision shared by Emirates, Dubai Airports, and Dubai Tourism.

As part of its ongoing commitment to accessibility, Emirates will continue to introduce new services throughout 2025, including sensory guides for navigating both airport environments and in-flight experiences. The airline’s comprehensive training program and new policies are designed to make travel more comfortable for neurodiverse travelers and their families, ensuring that Emirates leads the way in accessible travel within the airline industry.

For more information on Emirates’ accessible travel initiatives and sensory guides, visit the airline’s website.

About IBCCES

Delivering The Global Standard For Training and Certification in The Field of Cognitive Disorders – IBCCES provides a series of certifications that empower professionals to be leaders in their field and improve the outcomes for the individuals they serve. These programs are recognized around the world as the leading benchmark for training and certification in the areas of autism and other cognitive disorders. IBCCES partners with cities, destinations, and organizations on initiatives like the Certified Autism Destination™ (CAD) program, ensuring autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors feel welcomed and safe. Becoming a CAD means tourism, hospitality, and entertainment organizations complete autism and sensory sensitivity training and certification developed and delivered by IBCCES. IBCCES also created AutismTravel.com, a free online resource for families that lists certified destinations and connects families to other resources and each other.

Emirates’ Accessible Travel Information & Sensory Guides

About Emirates

The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service.

Media Contact:

Email: pr@emirates.com

Source: Emirates

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