Emirates, the world’s first Autism Certified Airline, has hosted its first “Travel Rehearsal” programme in Denpasar this week, aimed at making air travel more predictable and comfortable for individuals with accessible travel requirements.

As part of Emirates’ “Accessible Travel for All” approach, the Travel Rehearsal was first launched in the airline’s hub, Dubai, in 2024 with 30 families to reinforce Emirates’ commitment to making air travel more accessible and inclusive for all passengers. Since then, it has been brought to more cities worldwide, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Dubai, Manila, Madrid, Toronto, and now to Denpasar. To better understand autism, sensory sensitivities, and appropriate support mechanisms, more than 30,000 Emirates cabin crew and ground staff have undergone specialised training.

Bringing inclusive travel to life in Denpasar

On 18 February, the Travel Rehearsal welcomed 17 participants at the Denpasar International Airport (DPS) - eight children with autism along with guardians including teachers and a parent - who were invited to experience a guided simulation of the complete air travel journey. The session was designed to help neurodiverse children familiarise themselves with the travel process and reduce anxiety associated with sensory-rich airport environments. Participants were guided through each stage of the journey, including arrival at the International Drop Zone, check-in procedures, security screening, immigration, boarding, cabin seating and inflight experience, disembarkation, arrival immigration, baggage claim, customs clearance, and the final pick-up area. By experiencing these steps in advance, the children and their families gain confidence and reassurance before embarking on actual travel journeys.

Beyond the airport, Emirates also promotes awareness of neurodiversity through its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice. On an Emirates flight, passengers have access to curated films, documentaries, podcasts, and television content aimed at fostering understanding and inclusion among global audiences.

In April 2025, Emirates released a dedicated video showcasing its accessibility journey and the international rollout of the Travel Rehearsal programme. The film highlights the emotional realities faced by neurodiverse passengers and demonstrates how structured preparation and trained staff can significantly ease their travel experience.