Airlines and airports are increasingly becoming sensitive to the requirements of passengers with special needs. As part of this process, Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut is holding an event to familiarize children with autism with the process of aircraft boarding.
Practice boarding event
On September 18, Bradley International Airport will host a practice event for children with autism to familiarize them with the process of boarding an aircraft. It is being organized by Autism Double-Checked (ADC) in collaboration with Breeze airways
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Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
Accompanied by their parents, the children will get to experience the entire airport experience, right from check-in to boarding. The only thing missing will be actual flying. Indeed, navigating through airports, with all the checks and procedures, can be challenging for some individuals, and this event aims to help some passengers deal with those difficulties. Connecticut Public quotes Alan Day, the CEO of Autism Double-Checked, as saying,
“Some people with autism can have real difficulties with new situations. So here’s a chance for them to come along once, twice, three times — as many times as it takes — and become familiar with the situation, so that when they actually have to fly, they’re able to do it with a greater degree of comfort.”
What does it entail?
This was the third such event organized by Autism Double-Checked. According to the organization, the program is free and one can participate in it multiple times.
The special programs give participants the chance to practice all the steps of the boarding process at their local airport. The company’s website lists the process as follows:
- To participate, register in advance – just like booking a real flight.
- On the day of the event, bring the whole family to the airport.
- Check-in at the counter and receive your boarding passes.
- Go through (TSA) security – exactly as when taking a real flight.
- Make your way to the assigned gate and wait for your flight (to nowhere) to be called.
- Board the aircraft, get comfortably settled, and fasten your seat belts.
- Listen to all the onboard announcements.
- When instructed, disembark the plane and go through the arrival process.
Breeze Airways certified by Autism Double-Checked
ADC provides online autism awareness training and certification programs. These are specifically designed to make autism inclusion simple and profitable for different sectors of the travel industry, such as airlines, hotels, tour operators, and travel agents.
The company is based in Connecticut and was started in 2015 by two professionals who specialize in traveling with autism and are also parents to special-needs children.
Photo: Angel DiBilio l Shutterstock
In May, ADC certified Breeze Airways after it met some criteria, making it the first domestic commercial carrier in the United States to achieve this recognition. The airline first partnered with ADC in 2022, when it offered a voluntary online training course to all of its cabin crew members, later extending it to its pilots as well. Breeze Founder and CEO David Neeleman, commented earlier this year,
“In partnering with Autism Double-Checked, our hope is that we can inspire and empower this very special community to go out and experience the wonder of air travel while making memories that will last a lifetime.”