Emirates has turned Glasgow Airport into a learning ground for young travellers with autism, hosting Scotland’s first ever Travel Rehearsal day. The Dubai based carrier walked children on the autism spectrum and their families through every step of the flying experience, from check in to baggage collection. It is a quiet but powerful move that could change how Scottish families think about air travel forever.
Inside the First Travel Rehearsal Day at Glasgow Airport
The event marked a major step for accessible travel in Scotland. Working alongside the local Additional Support Needs group Autastic Club, Emirates invited several children on the autism spectrum and their families to experience the full airport journey at Glasgow.
Participants did not just observe. They actually went through real airport touchpoints with staff guiding them every step of the way.
Here is what the rehearsal covered:
- Check in and baggage drop at the Emirates counter
- Security screening and the queue process
- Time inside the departure lounge
- A mock boarding moment, complete with onboard customer announcements
- Arrival steps including immigration, passport control and baggage reclaim
- Meet and greet experience for arriving passengers
The whole walk through was designed to feel real, not staged. That detail matters. For a child who struggles with surprise sounds or sudden crowds, knowing exactly what comes next can mean the difference between a meltdown and a happy holiday.
Why Emirates and Autastic Club Joined Hands
The partnership with Autastic Club gave the rehearsal its heart. Angela Armour, Co founder of Autastic Club, said the airline and airport delivered a positive and valuable experience for families who often feel hesitant about travel.
Jabr Al-Azeeby, Divisional Vice President for Emirates in the UK, framed the Scottish session as the next chapter after the airline’s first UK rehearsal in London earlier this year. He said the programme aims to break down the invisible barriers people with accessibility requirements face every time they fly.
“As the world’s first autism certified airline, we aim to break down the invisible barriers faced by people with accessibility requirements by providing a safe and supportive simulation of the journey,” said Jabr Al-Azeeby, Divisional Vice President, Emirates UK.
The session would not have happened without the Emirates Airport Services team in Glasgow, who handled the planning and on the ground hosting.
Why Airports Feel So Hard for Autistic Travellers
For many families, an airport is a wall of triggers. Bright lights, beeping scanners, tannoy announcements and unpredictable queues can all push a neurodivergent child to sensory overload.
The data backs this up clearly. A survey on AutismTravel.com found that 78% of families are hesitant to travel or visit new places because of these challenges, while 94% said they would take more holidays if staff were autism trained and certified.
Predictability is the missing piece. Children on the autism spectrum often rely on knowing exactly what is coming, and airports rarely offer that comfort. A travel rehearsal removes the unknown.
| Common Airport Trigger | How the Rehearsal Helps |
|---|---|
| Loud announcements and crowds | Children practise hearing real boarding calls in a low pressure setting |
| Security scanners and pat downs | Families walk through screening with friendly staff guidance |
| Long queues and waiting | Kids learn the flow before the real day arrives |
| Unfamiliar uniforms and staff | Meeting real airline crew builds trust ahead of time |
A Global Programme Now Touching Six Continents
Glasgow is just one stop on a much bigger map. Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline after more than 35,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialised autism awareness training developed with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
The Travel Rehearsal concept first launched as a community pilot in Dubai in 2023. After strong feedback, the Emirates Office of Accessibility and Inclusion turned it into an official global programme.
- 40+ Travel Rehearsals delivered since April 2025
- 250+ families positively impacted worldwide
- 35,000+ Emirates staff trained in autism awareness
- 6 continents covered by the rehearsal network
Since April 2025, Emirates Airport Services teams have hosted rehearsals across cities including London, Paris, Athens, Madrid, Orlando, Sydney, Toronto, Delhi, Bangalore, Dubai, Edinburgh and now Glasgow. More destinations are being added throughout 2026.
Sami Aqil Abdullah, Senior Vice President at Emirates Airport Services, called the programme a success across six continents. He pointed to the strong collaboration between airline teams, airport partners, parents and teachers.
What Comes Next for Scottish Families
The Glasgow session is unlikely to be a one off. Emirates has signalled that more schools and autism centres across its network will be invited to take part through 2026.
The airline also stocks sensory products and fidget toys onboard across all cabin classes. Its Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com gives families information sorted by disability type, including hidden disabilities.
For Scottish parents who have postponed holidays for years, the message from this rehearsal is simple. The airport does not have to be a scary place anymore, and help is finally arriving at home soil.
Emirates has shown that small, thoughtful steps can open the world to children who were once locked out of it. The smiles at Glasgow Airport this week tell the real story, one that goes far beyond a press release. If you or someone you love struggles with travel anxiety, share this story, tell us your experience in the comments and help spread the word so more families know help exists.
