Emirates, the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline, brought its vision of accessible travel to Istanbul through its “Travel Rehearsal” programme, hosting 11 children with accessible travel requirements and their families at Istanbul Airport (IGA). The initiative, which is gradually being rolled out across 17 airports in Emirates’ global network, allows participants with disability to experience every stage of the travel journey in a supportive and structured environment.

As part of Emirates’ “Accessible Travel for All” approach, the Travel Rehearsal program aims to make air travel more predictable and comfortable for individuals with accessible travel requirements. By familiarizing families with airport procedures and onboard environments ahead of time, the programme helps reduce anxiety and build confidence before an actual flight.

Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services Outstation & Business Support, emphasized that accessibility is a core standard across every stage of the customer journey: “Accessible travel is not a single initiative for Emirates; it is a systematic approach embedded into every step of the journey. Through the Travel Rehearsal program, we aim to eliminate pre-flight uncertainty for children with autism and their families, making the airport and aircraft experience more predictable and reassuring. Our Istanbul implementation demonstrates that accessibility is not only about assistance — it is about independence, confidence, and dignity.”

Highlighting the airline’s ongoing responsibility, he continued:
“Accessibility is not a finished goal — it is a commitment that continues to evolve. As the world’s first autism-certified airline, we are dedicated to improving inclusive travel experiences at every stage of the journey. By expanding the Travel Rehearsal program across global destinations including Istanbul, we are turning this commitment into meaningful, measurable action.
We thank our partners at Istanbul Airport (IGA) for their contribution to our initiative, and ensuring that people of disability receive the necessary care and support they require during their airport journey.”

A global journey of inclusive travel in Istanbul

During the Istanbul experience, participants walked through the full travel process — from airport transfers and check-in to passport control, lounge access, and an aircraft tour. The experience demonstrated how an Emirates journey unfolds smoothly and safely, from ground services to onboard, while fostering trust between trained Emirates teams and passengers with disabilities.

Emirates became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialized autism awareness training. The programme equips employees with in-depth knowledge of the autism spectrum, common misconceptions, challenges faced during travel, and personalized support strategies tailored to individual passenger needs.

So far, Emirates has performed its travel rehearsal programme in Dubai, Barcelona, Brussels, Budapest, Christchurch, Durban, Istanbul, Luanda, Madrid, Nice, Oslo, Paris and Venice, with more destinations committing to the programme every month.