"As the world’s first autism-certified airline, we are committed to helping remove some of the invisible barriers that people with accessibility requirements can face when travelling," Al-Azeeby stated. He added that following strong positive feedback from families, the airline plans to maintain the programme permanently across its UK network."

London, 20 August 2026 — Emirates has officially completed the UK rollout of its pioneering Travel Rehearsal programme across all eight of its British gateways, marking a major milestone in accessible aviation. Designed to empower neurodivergent passengers and those with hidden disabilities, the initiative delivers comprehensive, step-by-step trial runs of the airport journey to eliminate travel anxiety before takeoff.

From Curb to Gate: A Full-Scale Simulation

According to Emirates, the initiative was delivered in partnership with local special-needs schools and Additional Support Needs (ASN) groups across the UK, engaging more than 90 participants. Accompanied by trained airline and airport personnel, families participated in guided simulations covering each major touchpoint of the journey:

  • Departure Procedures: Practicing check-in protocols, TSA/security screening, departure lounge navigation, and aircraft boarding.

  • Arrival Protocols: Walking through immigration, passport control, baggage retrieval, and terminal arrivals reunions.

The immersive walkthroughs are now active across London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.

A Gold Standard in Inclusive Travel

"As the world’s first autism-certified airline, we are deeply committed to dismantling the invisible barriers that make air travel daunting," said Jabr Al-Azeeby, Emirates’ Divisional Vice President for the UK. "The response from participating families has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are proud to make these rehearsals a permanent fixture across our entire UK network."

Emirates achieved its historic autism certification after delivering specialized sensory and neurodiversity training to over 35,000 cabin crew and ground personnel worldwide. The curriculum equips staff to identify sensory overload, dispel common misconceptions, and offer tailored assistance during high-stress moments.

A Growing Global Footprint

The UK expansion builds on a rapidly growing international movement. Since April 2025, Emirates Airport Services has orchestrated more than 40 travel rehearsals for upwards of 250 families across major global hubs—including Dubai, New York, Toronto, Sydney, Paris, and Rome. By transforming unfamiliar, high-sensory environments into predictable routines, Emirates continues to set a new benchmark for inclusive global travel.

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