Emirates expands inclusive travel initiative to UK, hosting first rehearsal at Stansted
Guided airport simulations aim to reduce anxiety for neurodivergent travellers
DUBAI/LONDON – Emirates has expanded its global accessibility efforts with the launch of its “Travel Rehearsal” programme in the United Kingdom, marking the airline’s first such initiative in the country at London Stansted Airport.
The move builds on its position as the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline and reflects a broader push to make air travel more inclusive and accessible.
The Travel Rehearsal programme is designed to offer individuals with additional accessibility needs a guided, real-time simulation of the airport and flight journey. By recreating each stage of travel in a controlled and supportive setting, the initiative aims to familiarise participants with procedures that can often feel overwhelming, helping to reduce anxiety and build confidence before undertaking an actual trip.
UK debut
The inaugural UK session was conducted in collaboration with St Elizabeth’s Centre, a Hertfordshire-based special needs school. Students on the autism spectrum, accompanied by their families, were guided through the entire airport process by Emirates staff and airport personnel.
Participants experienced each stage of the journey, including check-in, security screening, and the departure lounge. The programme also extended to arrival procedures, with families walking through immigration, baggage collection and meet-and-greet areas. The exercise provided a comprehensive preview of the full airport cycle, allowing participants to better understand and prepare for each step.
Inclusive travel
The initiative forms part of Emirates’ wider “Accessible Travel for All” framework, which focuses on addressing the challenges faced by neurodivergent passengers. The programme aims to make travel more predictable by removing unfamiliar elements and introducing travellers to environments and processes in advance.
According to the airline, the structured rehearsal environment enables participants to engage with airport settings at their own pace, supported by trained professionals who understand the complexities of autism and sensory sensitivities.
Jabr Al-Azeeby, Emirates Divisional Vice President in the UK, highlighted the significance of the programme’s expansion, stating that it seeks to remove barriers often faced by individuals with neurodivergence and open up travel opportunities to a wider community.
Community support
Educators and accessibility specialists involved in the programme have underlined its practical impact. Lisa Tooley, Headteacher at St Elizabeth’s Centre, noted that airport environments can be highly stimulating and stressful for individuals with disabilities and their families, making initiatives such as this essential for enabling travel.
At the airport level, accessibility teams are also using the programme to refine support systems. Stephanie Putt, Accessibility Manager at Stansted, said the collaboration offers valuable insights into improving passenger experience, not only for Emirates customers but for all travellers requiring assistance.
Global rollout
The UK launch forms part of a broader international rollout of the Travel Rehearsal programme. Since April 2025, Emirates’ Airport Services teams have conducted 40 such sessions across a wide network of global destinations.
These include major cities such as Dubai, Paris, Sydney and Hong Kong, as well as locations spanning Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Airports in cities including Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Delhi, Dublin, Istanbul, Madrid, Milan and Vienna have also hosted sessions, reflecting the programme’s global scale.
The expansion follows Emirates’ certification as an autism-friendly airline, achieved after more than 35,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialised autism awareness training. The training equips employees with knowledge of the autism spectrum, common travel-related challenges, and strategies to provide tailored support to passengers.
As the programme continues to roll out internationally, Emirates is working with airports, schools and community organisations to extend its reach, using live airport environments to refine accessibility measures and enhance the travel experience for neurodivergent passengers and their families.