Airports
This section contains some of the best sensory friendly and accessible airports in the world along with other useful information.
Useful Information
Booking flights
Support & Assistance for people with sensory needs
Several airports now have quiet areas or other facilities like sensory rooms. While these are generally open Covid regulations may have made some things harder to access so please check with your selected airport to see what facilities they are currently able to offer.
Note: It is also worth checking whether the airport of your choice offers airport rehearsals online. They children and adults with autism/SEND and other additional needs to familiarise themselves with the flying; giving families and aviation professionals the confidence to take to the skies.
Each scheme is slightly different but it usually covers each aspect of the process, from receiving tickets, going through check-in and security, meeting the pilots, boarding a plane and preparing for take off. Scroll down the page for some videos.
Such schemes also give airport, airline, Transportation Security Administration professionals and other personnel the opportunity to observe, interact, and deliver their services in a structured, learning environment.
Want your local airport to get involved?
There is scope for airports in different countries to get involved in these or similar schemes. If you are based in the UK and would like to find out more please contact us here at Koloko.
Useful resources
Vancouver International Airport offers the I CAN Fly with YVR program in conjuction with Canucks Autism Network. They offer a social story that covers the whole flight process from printing boarding passes to passing through customs to waiting at the baggage carousel.
These partners have also also put together the I CAN Fly with YVR YouTube video series. It features 10 short videos to walk kids through each step of flying: some of which are seen below.
This helpful series is specific to that airport although many of the videos will be useful to anyone who is aiming to fly. To see the rest of the videos in the series – please click here
Calgary International Airport
Twice a year, The Calgary Airport Authority and Air Canada team up to deliver YYC Navigators Program.
Montreal-Trudeau Airport
This airport runs the Premium Kids Program on airport-process familiarization day.
Vancouver International Airport
This airport offers the I CAN Fly with YVR YouTube video series which walks kids through the process.
Vancouver International Airport and the Canucks Autism Network have developed the I CAN Fly with YVR YouTube video series. It features 10 short videos to walk kids through each step of flying: some of which are seen below.
This helpful series is specific to that airport although many of the videos will be useful to anyone who is aiming to fly. To see the rest of the videos in the series – please click here
Due to Covid some airports may not offer the Wings for autism or similar schemes so please check with the airport.
Hartsfield-Jackson, Altanta
This has a Multi-Sensory Room, on F Concourse. It also runs Wings for All Program
Harrisburg Int. Airport
This also runs the Wings for All Program to help children become used to the process of flying
Myrtle Beach International Airport
This autism friendly airport has a sensory room for families.
Piedmont Triad Int. Airport, N. Carolina
Wings for Autism in partnership with Greensboro, The Enrichment Center, Arc of High Point, the Autism Society of North Carolina and Delta Airlines.
St. Paul Int. Airport Minneapolis
Blue Horizons for Autism – helps individuals with special needs adjust to air travel.
Ronald Reagan Nat. Airport, Washington
Wings for Autism in partnership with American Airlines.
Tulsa Int. Airport.
Runs the Wings for Autism program, in partnership with the Tulsa International Airport, Southwest Airlines, Transportation Security Administration, BlueStone National Resources and TARC.