Dubai-based carrier Emirates said Friday it has expanded its global “Travel Rehearsal” programme to Bali, hosting its first such initiative in Denpasar as part of efforts to make air travel more accessible for neurodiverse passengers.

In a statement issued on February 20, Emirates said the programme was held at Ngurah Rai International Airport and was designed to help children on the autism spectrum and their families familiarise themselves with the air travel experience in a structured and supportive environment.

The airline first launched the Travel Rehearsal initiative in Dubai in 2024 as part of its broader "Accessible Travel for All" strategy. Since then, it has been rolled out to a growing number of cities worldwide, including Barcelona, Brisbane, Manila, Madrid, Toronto, and now Denpasar, the airline said.

During the Bali session on February 18, 17 participants—including eight children with autism and their guardians—took part in a guided simulation of the full travel journey. This included airport arrival, check-in, security screening, immigration, boarding, cabin seating, in-flight experience, arrival procedures, baggage claim, and customs clearance.

By allowing participants to experience each step in advance, Emirates said the rehearsal aimed to reduce anxiety associated with unfamiliar and sensory-rich airport environments.

Majid Al Falasi, Emirates’ country manager for Indonesia, said the initiative reflected the airline’s long-term commitment to accessible travel. “Through the efforts of Emirates’ Autism Centre and our partners, we were fortunate to bring this travel rehearsal to Denpasar and play an active role in enhancing the travel experience for people with accessible travel requirements,” he said.

Emirates became the world’s first Autism-Certified Airline last year, after more than 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff completed specialised autism awareness training. The training focuses on understanding sensory sensitivities, common challenges faced by neurodiverse passengers and appropriate support mechanisms during travel.

The airline said the Bali programme was supported by a range of local partners, including airport operators, ground handling agents and Indonesian immigration, customs and aviation authorities, underscoring coordination across multiple stakeholders.

Beyond airport-based initiatives, Emirates said it also promotes awareness of neurodiversity through its inflight entertainment system, ice, which features curated films, documentaries and other content aimed at fostering understanding and inclusion.

The airline did not specify how frequently the Travel Rehearsal programme would be held in Bali but said more destinations across its global network are expected to join the initiative as Emirates continues to expand accessibility-focused services for passengers with additional travel needs.

Source: Emirates Press Release