What airline help is available for autistic travellers?
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a hidden or invisible disability. Unlike a physical disability, there are no outward signs that someone may need extra support – which can make navigating a busy airport or a long-haul flight particularly challenging for autistic children and adults.
The stressors are real and wide-ranging: disruption to routine, unfamiliar environments, unpredictable noise, security announcements, crowded terminals, popping ears and strange smells. For many autistic people – especially children – flying can feel overwhelming before the aircraft has even left the gate.
The good news is that awareness has improved considerably. Airlines and airports across the UK and beyond now offer specific support for autistic passengers and their families, from dedicated assistance teams and pre-boarding options to sensory rooms and visual guides. Knowing what to ask for – and who to ask – can make a significant difference to your journey.
This guide covers what autism-related support UK airlines provide, how to request it, and what to do to prepare before you travel. For a detailed breakdown of airport-side support, read our companion guide: autism support at UK airports explained.
Preparing your child for air travel
Specialist advice consistently points to preparation as the single most effective tool. Building a clear, repeated story of what will happen on travel day – ideally weeks in advance – helps autistic children form expectations and reduces anxiety when the day arrives.
A social story can take the form of a simple picture book you make together, a printed step-by-step guide, or a downloadable visual guide from the airport. Cover each step in sequence: the journey to the airport, entering the terminal, dropping off luggage, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding the aircraft and taking off. The more familiar the process feels, the less threatening it becomes.
Several UK airports – including Gatwick, Birmingham and Edinburgh – publish their own visual guides designed specifically for autistic passengers. These are free to download before travel. Newcastle Airport also issues an Autism Passport that includes Fast Track access through security, and Manchester Airport has a dedicated calming space called the Sunflower Room. Find out what your departure airport offers.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower began at Gatwick Airport in 2016, when its accessibility team started looking for a way to help passengers with non-visible disabilities signal that they might need a little extra time or support. The result was a simple green lanyard printed with sunflowers – a discreet but recognisable sign that the wearer may need assistance.
What started as a single-airport initiative has since been adopted by hundreds of airports worldwide and by businesses including supermarkets, banks, leisure centres and NHS trusts. Wearing the lanyard is entirely voluntary and does not require a formal diagnosis. It is not a fast-track pass – it simply alerts trained staff that you or someone with you may benefit from a little extra patience or help.
Lanyards are available free of charge at most major UK airports and from many of the airlines listed below. You can also order one directly from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website. Gatwick is also one of several UK airports to hold the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award, alongside Birmingham, Bristol and Edinburgh.
How to request autism support from an airline
Most airlines process autism and hidden disability support through their Special Assistance teams. Here is what the process typically looks like and what to say when you get in touch.
- Contact the airline’s Special Assistance team as soon as possible after booking – do not leave it until check-in.
- Most airlines ask for at least 48 hours’ notice; Virgin Atlantic requests 72 hours.
- You do not need to provide a formal diagnosis. A brief explanation of your child’s specific needs (for example, sensitivity to noise, difficulty queuing, or a need for a fixed seat) is sufficient.
- Ask about the DPNA code – this is an airline industry code (Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance) that can be added to a booking to flag support requirements to all staff along the route.
- Request a specific seat at the same time. Window seats, bulkhead seats or seats near the front or back of the aircraft each have different advantages depending on your child’s needs.
- If you booked through a travel agent, ask them to contact the airline on your behalf – they should be able to add any assistance codes directly.
Airline autism support at a glance
The table below summarises the support offered by popular airlines flying from the UK. Where a lanyard column shows “available at airport”, this means the Sunflower lanyard can be collected from the airport rather than directly from the airline. Blank cells in the online information column indicate that no specific ASD guide was available at the time of writing – contact the airline’s Special Assistance team directly to ask what they can offer.
| Airline | Online guides | Sunflower lanyard | Special assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | Visual guides | Available at airport | Available |
| British Airways | Visual guides | Direct from airline | Available |
| EasyJet | Hidden disability advice page | Available at airport | Available |
| Emirates | Sensory guides online | Direct from airline | Available – DPNA code supported |
| Jet2 | None listed | Direct from airline | Available |
| KLM | None listed | Direct from airline | Available |
| Loganair | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| Lufthansa | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| Norwegian | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| Qantas | None listed | Direct from airline | Available |
| Qatar Airways | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| Ryanair | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| SAS | None listed | Available at airport | Available |
| TUI | Customer welfare guide | Available at airport | Available – free seat allocation |
| Virgin Atlantic | Visual guides and onboard guide | Own hidden disability symbol | Available |
| Vueling | Customer guide | Available at airport | Available |
| Wizz Air | None listed | Available at airport | Available – 24/7 helpline |
Airline-by-airline guide
Aer Lingus
Aer Lingus has created a series of visual guides for autistic passengers, covering the journey from arriving at the airport through to boarding. Families can also submit a special assistance request form ahead of travel, so ground staff and cabin crew are briefed on your requirements before you arrive.
British Airways
British Airways was the first airline in the world to receive the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award, in April 2019, and was the first UK airline to formally recognise the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in February 2022. Its Autism-Friendly Visual Guide breaks the journey into clear, step-by-step stages, and the airline offers pre-flight familiarisation visits at Heathrow and Gatwick for autistic passengers who want to experience the airport environment before their travel day.
Staff receive autism awareness training, Sunflower lanyards are available on request, specific seat assignments can be arranged, and an individual safety briefing before departure can be requested. Contact BA Special Assistance at least 48 hours before departure.
EasyJet
EasyJet has a strong record of practical support for autistic passengers. Staff have been known to invite ASD travellers to board early ahead of the main queue, regardless of whether speedy boarding has been purchased, and to find quiet waiting areas for families if flights are delayed. Contact the Special Assistance team after booking to arrange seating and discuss specific needs. The team can help with everything from boarding gate assistance to stowing luggage and disembarkation. Read EasyJet’s hidden disability advice.
Emirates
Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline in 2025, when it completed training for over 30,000 cabin crew and ground staff under a certification programme developed with the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES). The process involved detailed audits of its in-flight and ground services and input from autistic travellers, healthcare professionals and their families.
Practical support includes digital sensory guides to help passengers understand what to expect at each stage of their journey, quieter check-in areas, DPNA code support so assistance requirements are flagged throughout the route, and complimentary bulkhead or front-of-cabin seating for passengers who declare a hidden disability. UK contact: 0344 800 2777.
Jet2
Jet2 cabin crew and Customer Helpers receive training in supporting passengers with hidden disabilities. You can contact the Special Assistance team ahead of travel to discuss specific requirements, or let check-in staff know on the day and they will do their best to help throughout the journey.
KLM
Amsterdam Schiphol is a recognised Hidden Disabilities Sunflower airport. Special assistance must be requested at least 48 hours before departure. You can contact KLM via [email protected], through the KLM website or via your travel agent.
Loganair
Request assistance at the time of booking or call Loganair on 0344 800 2855. As a smaller regional carrier, Loganair operates shorter routes where staff can often offer more personal support.
Lufthansa
Call at least 48 hours before departure to request assistance: 0800 83 84 267. Arranging support in advance ensures the right staff are briefed and the best available seating can be reserved.
Norwegian
Special assistance can be requested when booking online via Norwegian’s website. Alternatively, call 0330 828 0854 to discuss requirements with the team.
Qantas
For passengers travelling via Australia, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney airports are all Sunflower-recognised venues. Call Qantas Special Assistance at least 48 hours before departure on 0800 964 432. If you booked through a travel agent, ask them to request assistance on your behalf.
Qatar Airways
Contact Qatar Airways at least 48 hours before travel to request special assistance. UK contact centre: 0330 912 7415.
Ryanair
Speak directly to a Special Assistance agent on 01279 358588. It is worth calling as soon as possible after booking to ensure your requirements are noted on the reservation.
SAS
Contact SAS Customer Service at least 48 hours before departure to register assistance requirements.
TUI
TUI’s dedicated Customer Welfare team handles requests for autistic passengers and their families. Free seat allocations are available to those with hidden disability requirements. Call the specialist line on 0203 451 2688 to discuss what support can be arranged before your holiday.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic has developed its own hidden disability symbol – a card you can download and print to carry inside your passport. Showing it discreetly to any Virgin Atlantic crew member lets them know you may need a little extra time, reassurance or help without requiring an explanation.
Contact Virgin Atlantic Special Assistance at least 72 hours before departure to request priority check-in, pre-boarding or delayed boarding, bulkhead seating or a pre-assigned standard seat. Virgin has also published a guide to what to expect once on board.
Vueling
Special assistance can be added when booking online. Alternatively, contact the Vueling Customer Services Centre at least 48 hours before travel.
Wizz Air
Request assistance at the time of booking, or call Wizz Air’s 24/7 Special Assistance line on 0330 977 0444 at least 48 hours before departure. Aim to arrive at check-in at least two hours before your flight.
Tips for travelling with an autistic child or adult
- Visit the airport before travel day if you can. Many airports run pre-visit tours specifically for autistic passengers and their families – contact your airport to ask. Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester all have well-developed accessibility programmes worth checking in advance.
- Think carefully about seat selection. Seats at the back of the plane tend to muffle front-cabin noise. If your group is larger than two, consider booking seats in a row in front of each other rather than across the aisle – this can feel less exposed and more contained.
- Bring comfort objects and familiar sensory items. Do not wash soft toys or blankets before the journey – familiar smells are grounding. Pack chewy foods, headphones, a favourite fidget toy and any other items that help manage sensory overload.
- Ask the airline about the DPNA code when you call. This flags your needs to every member of staff your family will encounter on the route, without you having to explain repeatedly.
- Download a visual guide before you travel. If your airline or airport does not have one, the National Autistic Society Holiday Guide has templates and advice for creating your own.
Frequently asked questions
No. Airlines do not require proof of diagnosis to provide special assistance. A brief description of your or your child’s specific needs – such as sensitivity to noise, difficulty with queuing, or a requirement for a fixed seat – is all that is needed. You can provide this when contacting the Special Assistance team.
DPNA stands for Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance. It is a standard airline industry code added to a booking to alert all ground and cabin staff along the route that a passenger may need additional support. Asking the airline to add a DPNA code means you do not have to explain your requirements at every touchpoint – check-in, security, boarding and on the aircraft. Not all airlines use this code in the same way, so ask specifically when you call Special Assistance.
It depends on your child’s specific sensitivities. Seats near the front tend to be quieter and have quicker access on and off the aircraft. Seats at the rear are further from the galley and can feel more contained. Bulkhead seats offer extra space and remove the seat in front. Window seats give a sense of boundary and reduce passing foot traffic. When you contact the airline’s Special Assistance team, explain your child’s needs and they can advise on what is available.
Yes, in most cases. Pre-boarding or priority boarding for passengers with hidden disabilities is available from most major airlines, but it must be requested in advance through Special Assistance – do not assume it will be offered automatically at the gate. British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, EasyJet and TUI are among the airlines that offer this. EasyJet in particular has a record of inviting ASD passengers to board early regardless of ticket type.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is a green lanyard with a sunflower pattern that discreetly indicates to trained staff that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need extra help, time or patience. It was created at Gatwick Airport in 2016 and is now recognised at hundreds of airports worldwide and by many UK businesses. Wearing it is voluntary and does not require a diagnosis. You can collect one free at most UK airports or order one from the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website before you travel.
Emirates became the world’s first Autism Certified Airline in 2025, completing training for over 30,000 staff under IBCCES certification. British Airways holds the National Autistic Society’s Autism Friendly Award and was the first UK airline to receive it. EasyJet has a strong practical track record of accommodating autistic passengers with flexibility at boarding. TUI offers a dedicated Customer Welfare team with free seat allocation for those with hidden disability requirements. The best airline will depend on your route, your child’s specific needs and what level of advance support you require.