Emirates has held a series of "Travel Rehearsal" events across Australia, offering neurodiverse passengers and their families a chance to walk through the entire flying process in a controlled, low-pressure setting before their actual journeys, the airline said in a statement.

The sessions, held in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, form part of Emirates' efforts to make air travel less overwhelming for neurodiverse travellers. The airline said 18 participants and their families took part in the initial rounds of events in Brisbane and Melbourne, and it plans to extend the programme to Sydney and Adelaide.

At the Perth event, held in partnership with Perth Airport, families went through a full simulation of the travel journey — check-in, passport control and security screening — followed by a visit to a sensory room and, finally, boarding a static aircraft for a cabin safety briefing and familiarisation session. The Melbourne edition focused specifically on the early stages of departure.

Dean Cleaver, Regional Sales Manager at Emirates, said the airline's "Fly Better" commitment extends to every passenger. "We are incredibly proud to bring the Travel Rehearsal initiative to Australia," he said, crediting the collaboration with airport partners and local community advocates. He added that Emirates had already run similar events in Melbourne and Brisbane, calling Perth "a really special one," and said the airline intends to continue the programme across all its Australian gateways.

Kate Holsgrove, Chief Commercial & Aviation Officer at Perth Airport, said hosting the tours gives families a chance to experience the airport environment "in a practical and supportive way," helping to reduce travel anxiety and build confidence ahead of a journey. She described accessibility as a priority for the airport.

The Wallace family, who participated in the Perth rehearsal ahead of a long-haul flight the following week, said the exercise was valuable in preparing children with neurodiversity for what to expect while flying.

The initiative builds on Emirates' designation as the world's first Autism Certified Airline, achieved in April 2025 after more than 30,000 of its cabin crew and ground staff worldwide completed specialised training to support customers with autism and sensory sensitivities. The airline also offers a dedicated Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on its website, sensory-friendly products and fidget tools onboard, and an in-flight entertainment system with closed captions and audio descriptions on select titles. At Dubai International Airport, Emirates operates a dedicated Autism Friendly Route for transiting passengers.

Emirates has operated flights to Australia for nearly three decades and currently runs 70 weekly services to five Australian cities — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Since December 2025, the airline has deployed its newer aircraft across all five routes, adding more than 5,000 weekly Premium Economy seats between Australia and Dubai. The carrier has also invested over $230 million in Australian sports and arts sponsorships, including the Australian Open, Collingwood Football Club and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and last year expanded a tennis-access programme for disadvantaged youth that reached more than 6,500 participants across over 50 schools and community courts.

Source: PR