Emirates first airline certified for autism
On the occasion of Autism Awareness Month, Emirates is reinforcing its commitment to inclusivity by becoming the first airline in the world to achieve Autism Certified Airline™ certification.
The award, conferred by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), recognizes the specific training completed by more than 30,000 members of the cabin crew and on the ground, prepared to welcome and support passengers on the autism spectrum throughout all stages of the journey.
At the heart of this initiative, the 'Trial of Travel' programme (launched in 2023 in Dubai) is now active in 17 cities across Emirates' global network, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Budapest, Cebu, Christchurch, Dubai, Durban, Luanda, Madrid, Manila, Mauritius, Manchester, Montreal, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Toronto. And every month new destinations are added ready to embrace the initiative.
The aim is to offer autistic children the opportunity to live a simulated experience at the airport, familiarizing themselves with spaces, procedures and staff in a guided and reassuring environment. The project, carried out in collaboration with schools and specialized centers, is helping to reduce anxiety and prepare young travelers to fly in a serene way.
Throughout April, Emirates also focused on neurodiversity through its in-flight ice entertainment system, offering films, podcasts and content dedicated to raising awareness of autism, such as Temple Grandin, Ezra and the BBC docuseries Inside Our Autistic Minds.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy involving institutions and local authorities, and contributes to Dubai's ambition to become the most accessible destination in the world, also on the occasion of the Year of the Community 2025.
