Changefied and Flying with Autism share the same mission: making travel predictable, safe, and accessible for people with autism and other neurodivergent travelers. While Virtual Public Transport uses virtual reality to help people practice public transport step by step, Flying with Autism helps make the transition to the plane and airport achievable.
Flying with Autism makes air travel more accessible and predictable for children and adults with autism or heightened sensory sensitivity, so that a flight becomes within reach instead of unattainable or extremely stressful. With guided tours, practical tools, and targeted preparation, they help travelers and their loved ones travel with more peace, structure, and confidence.
Why flying can be so exciting
For many people with autism, the biggest challenge isn't the flight itself, but everything surrounding it: the crowds, the noise, the lack of clarity, and all the unfamiliar steps at the airport. This mix of stimuli and uncertainty can be so stressful that air travel is postponed or avoided altogether.
Possible reasons for increased stress levels include:
- Sensory overstimulation due to crowds, loud noises, bright lights, air pressure changes and the limited space in the plane.
- Unpredictability and changes, such as delays, security checks and unexpected adjustments to the journey.
- Social situations, such as contact with fellow passengers, cabin crew or security.
- Physical sensations such as being frisked, being touched unexpectedly, taking off, turbulence and landing.
- Breaking structure and routine due to long queues, time pressure and changes in schedules.
Every person is different, so tailor-made preparation and guidance is crucial.
How Flying with Autism Helps
The Flying with Autism Foundation focuses on lowering barriers before and during travel, allowing travelers to prepare step by step. Through concrete experiences, explanations, and clear resources, the entire itinerary becomes more predictable and manageable.
They offer, among other things:
- Airport tours (including Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport) where travelers can learn the route from arrival to gate in a relaxed manner and get a unique look behind the scenes.
- Individual support and tailor-made programs, tailored to the sensory and emotional needs of the traveler and their environment.
- Webinars, guest lectures, and presentations for parents, professionals, and aviation schools to increase knowledge about autism and sensory sensitivity in flying.
- Practical tools such as the (e-)manual “Flying with Autism”, an airport route map and other materials that provide structure, overview and support during the journey.
This combination of realistic preparation, clear information, and appropriate support creates more peace, structure, and confidence – for both travelers and their guides.
More information
Would you like to learn more about the options, tours, (e-)manual, and individual support for flying with autism? Visit the Flying with Autism Foundation website for current information, dates, and registration.