Emirates gives neurodiverse families a ‘test run’ before flying from Australia
Dubai airline plans to extend the programme to Sydney and Adelaide
DUBAI – Emirates has brought its Travel Rehearsal initiative to Australia, giving neurodiverse passengers and their families an opportunity to experience key stages of air travel in a calm and supportive setting.
The programme is designed to help passengers become familiar with airport procedures and the onboard environment before undertaking an actual journey. Sessions have so far been held in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, with the airline planning to extend the initiative to its other Australian gateways.
The Perth event offered participants an immersive end-to-end experience, taking them through several stages of a real airport journey. Families experienced check-in, passport control and security screening before visiting the airport’s sensory room. The rehearsal then continued with boarding a static aircraft, where participants received a full safety briefing and became familiar with the cabin environment.
Travel rehearsals
The Perth session followed earlier events in Brisbane and Melbourne, with the initial sessions across the two cities welcoming 18 participants and their families. While the Melbourne event concentrated on departure procedures, the Perth rehearsal went further by allowing participants to board an aircraft and experience elements of the journey they would encounter in the air.
The initiative is particularly aimed at passengers who may find unfamiliar surroundings, changes in routine, airport crowds or sensory stimulation challenging. By allowing families to experience the process in advance, Emirates is providing an opportunity to become familiar with different stages of the journey before travelling.
The Wallace family, who participated in the Perth Travel Rehearsal, highlighted the value of preparing children for long-haul travel. The family said the experience was particularly important ahead of an upcoming long-haul flight, giving children and families an opportunity to understand what the journey would involve.
Perth Airport also supported the initiative, with Kate Holsgrove, Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer at Perth Airport, saying the tours give families the chance to experience the airport environment in a practical and supportive way. The airport said creating an inclusive and accessible experience for travellers remains a priority.
Emirates Regional Sales Manager Dean Cleaver said the airline intends to continue the initiative across its Australian gateways, following the sessions already held in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
The Travel Rehearsal programme forms part of Emirates’ broader accessibility measures for passengers with autism and sensory sensitivities. In April 2025, the airline became an Autism Certified Airline™, with more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff worldwide completing specialised training to support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities.
Emirates also provides an Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on its website to help passengers plan their journeys. Onboard, the airline offers sensory-friendly products and fidget tools, while its ice entertainment system includes more than 600 films with closed captions and 200 with audio descriptions.
Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport can also use a dedicated Autism Friendly Route, designed to provide a smoother transit experience through the airport.
Australia network
Emirates has operated in Australia for nearly three decades and currently serves five Australian gateways: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. The airline operates 70 direct weekly services to and from the five cities.
Since December 2025, all five Australian destinations on the Emirates network have been served by the airline’s next-generation aircraft, providing more than 5,000 Premium Economy seats each week between Australia and Dubai.
The airline has also invested more than $230 million in sponsorships spanning Australian sport and the arts. Its portfolio includes the Australian Open, Collingwood Football Club and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
In 2025, Emirates launched its Force for Good programme in Australia with the Australian Tennis Foundation. The five-year initiative is introducing tennis to disadvantaged young people across the five cities served by the airline. During its first year, the programme provided more than 6,500 opportunities to play tennis at more than 50 schools and community courts.