UK airports offer pre flight rehearsals for autistic travellers
Heathrow, Edinburgh and Glasgow are among UK airports offering pre-flight familiarisation visits to help autistic and disabled passengers prepare.
Autistic and disabled passengers nervous about flying can arrange visits to some UK airports before their actual journey, allowing them to experience parts of the terminal without the pressure of catching a flight.
The services were highlighted again on 4 October 2026 as the travel industry was urged to make more passengers aware that airport familiarisation is available. Rather than one national programme, individual airports run their own schemes, with Heathrow, Edinburgh and Glasgow among those currently advertising specific options.
Heathrow runs four hour airport rehearsals
Heathrow's Flight Ready Programme offers free airport tours specifically for autistic and neurodivergent passengers aged five and over. The sessions take place in Terminal 5 and last around four hours, taking participants through check-in and bag drop, security, departure areas, gates, passport control and baggage reclaim.
When possible, the programme also includes a cabin mock-up so passengers can experience what being inside an aircraft may feel like before their real trip. Heathrow runs the sessions with British Airways on selected dates, with places allocated through a ballot because numbers are limited.
The remaining 14 November 2026 session is currently full, with 2027 dates expected to be announced later. Heathrow also provides free sensory packs and an Explorer Passport designed to help autistic and neurodivergent children understand the different stages of an airport journey.
Edinburgh and Glasgow offer familiarisation visits
Edinburgh Airport allows passengers with additional needs to contact its assistance provider directly to arrange a familiarisation tour. It also provides a downloadable social story showing what passengers can expect during their journey through the terminal.
Glasgow Airport offers pre-visits for autistic passengers that can be tailored to the individual. Previous visits have ranged from a quiet conversation explaining the process to travelling through the passenger route and, where arrangements allow, experiencing more of the airport journey before the real departure date.
These visits are separate from the assisted-travel service passengers may require when they actually fly. Anyone needing assistance on their travel day should normally notify their airline, tour operator or travel agent in advance so support can be arranged.
Why rehearsing an airport journey can help
Airports combine crowds, queues, security searches, announcements, bright lighting and unfamiliar procedures, which can make the experience particularly challenging for some autistic and neurodivergent travellers.
A rehearsal cannot remove every unexpected part of flying, but it can replace some of that uncertainty with familiarity. Instead of arriving at security, check-in or the departure gate for the first time on the day of a holiday, passengers can already know what the space looks like and what is likely to happen next.
Availability differs between airports, so passengers should contact their departure airport directly well before travelling to ask whether a familiarisation visit, autism programme or pre-flight tour is currently offered.
