Navigating Airports with Ease: Tips for Travellers on the Autism Spectrum
Travelling the world is truly a luxury. It’s always rewarding when arriving somewhere and becoming immersed in new experiences.
The reality of travelling is that sometimes plans can be disrupted, sometimes without warning. It causes inconveniences for all travellers, but creates more challenges for travellers on the autism spectrum.
One obstacle I deal with every time I travel is going to and navigating the airport. I’ll begin and say that I absolutely HATE airports. More than anything, it causes the most anxiety for me. As a travel writer and someone on the autism spectrum who travels the world, the challenges of navigating and dealing with airport environments is often tedious.
I have experienced anxiety attacks, sweated profusely and lacked focus just by travelling through airports. As time passed, I began to utilize and learn strategies on how to make travelling through airports as an autistic person more comfortable. I want to share my best tips to help travellers with autism have a better experience at airports.
Plan Ahead & Arrive Early:
Research the airport you'll be traveling through. Familiarize yourself with its layout, amenities, and any sensory-friendly spaces it may offer. Most flight departures require their clients to arrive two hours early for domestic flights and three hours for international trips.
Arriving early is super important since airports tend to be busy. Especially on weekends and during holidays. Getting to the airport sooner leaves you more time to check in at the counter, get through security and arrive at the gate.
Prepare a Visual Schedule:
Create a visual schedule or itinerary outlining each step of your journey, from arriving at the airport to boarding your flight. This can help alleviate anxiety by providing a clear roadmap of what to expect. I.e., here is a visual roadmap I put together before heading to the airport on a travel day:
Be fully packed two to three days before
Check in 24-hours before flight time (refer to tip below)
Arrive at airport two to three hours before departure time.
Go to security gate!
Store metal objects (phone, keys, headphones, etc) in sweater pocket and/or travel pouch!
Head to immigration and have passport document ready to present to border agent!
Proceed to gate first to familiarize myself with layout of area!
Time permitting, head to quiet area to relax, preferably lounge (see tip below)
Return to gate and wait to board airplane!
Check in 24-hours in Advance:
Checking in at the airport burns an unnecessary amount of time and adds stress. Most airlines have an app to upload and provide the option to check-in open to 24-hours before the scheduled departure time. Below is my simple steps on how to check-in online:
Open the “check-in” feature on the airline app (or website)
Provide travel documentation (usually passport)
Have the option to select seat on the airplane
Get your boarding pass delivered electronically to your mobile device.
Interior of Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, Azerbaijan. One of the more modern, clean and noise friendly airports for travellers with autism.
Avoid Checking a Bag:
Checking bags is time consuming and stressful. There is risk of the airline losing your bag with all your clothes, valuables and (some essential) items in them.
I discovered it’s so much easier to take a carry-on and a small rolling cabin bag and not check any luggage. Especially when arriving at a new destination where you don’t have to head to baggage claim to pick up your bag. This strategy has become one of the key factors to minimize anxiety and will help save time, stress, and money.
Pack Comfort Items:
Bring comfort items such as noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget toys, or a weighted blanket to help regulate sensory input and provide a sense of calm during your travels.
Everyone travelling with autism will have different needs and strategies to help provide calmness. I always plug wireless headphones in my ears, which helps relieve my anxiety, especially in situations like waiting in long queues at immigration.
Utilize Pre-Boarding Options:
If available, I suggest taking advantage of pre-boarding options offered by airlines, which allow passengers who are on the autism spectrum to board the aircraft early and get settled before the rush of other passengers.
Whenever I travel, I try to leave time (usually an hour) to get to the gate and board the plane early. This way I have time to get comfortable in my seat before departure.
Request Assistance:
Don't hesitate to request assistance from airport staff if you need help navigating the airport or if you encounter any challenges along the way. Many airports offer programs for travellers with additional needs.
Sometimes in large airports (i.e., Istanbul) I ask where lounges and water filling stations are located and they help point me in the right direction.
Identify Quiet Spaces:
A selfie relaxing in the Plaza Premium Lounge at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada. Note: it is less busy in this picture because it was a Monday evening.
Airports for travellers on the autism spectrum can be overwhelming with all the stimuli, especially when dealing with large crowds. I recommend to seek out quiet or less crowded areas within the airport where you can take breaks and recharge if you become overwhelmed. Some airports have designated sensory rooms or quiet zones specifically designed for this purpose.
After travelling for years, I have learned a comfortable way to relax in an airport is to head to a lounge. I recommend purchasing a Priority Pass membership.
With access to over 1300+ lounges in airports worldwide, Priority Pass will provide travellers on the autism spectrum access to some first-class luxury lounges with access to food, water, Wi-Fi internet, charging stations and bathrooms. Some lounges include showers and massage chairs.
Note: During peak hours of travel, some lounges reach capacity creating a queue at the door. For example, travelling from 6am-9am on weekends will be busy and lounges tend to fill up during these times. I recommend visiting lounges on long layovers and/or when travelling during non-peak hours. Always be mindful about where and when you are travelling so that you can enter a lounge and have a more comfortable experience at the airport. Most lounges are located after clearing security checkpoints and/or immigration.
A visual image of my Priority Pass. This pass helps provide access to 1300+ airport lounges worldwide.
Practice Security Procedures:
Travelling through airports means going through security and immigration (if entering a new country). More than anything, security gives me the most anxiety. Taking out all metal objects (keys, phones, belt, laptop, etc.) can make for a stressful experience.
Familiarize yourself with airport security procedures in advance to reduce anxiety on the day of travel. Practice going through security checkpoints at home to become more comfortable with the process.
For travellers in Canada and the United States, I recommend applying for TSA PreCheck. This is a separate line from the regular procedure. You will go through the metal detector without having to have to remove items from your pockets. This saves a whole bunch of time, stress and ensured a smoother process through security.
Remain Calm & Composed:
The last thing you want to do in an airport is lose your composure and have an anxiety attack. For example, throwing a tantrum in situations where you are detained at security and/or immigration will NOT help.
The MOST important thing travellers on the autism spectrum should do is STAY CALM!!! Trust me, calmness and patience will make all the difference in the world in any given situation when going through an airport.
Adapt to Flexibility:
Routine disruption can be frequent in airports. I have endured flight delays, gate changes, large crowds, nervous breakdowns, etc. Be prepared for unexpected changes and/or delays that may arise during your travels. Maintaining a flexible mindset can help reduce stress and make it easier to adapt to new situations.
Conclusion:
By following these tips and strategies, families with loved ones travelling on the autism spectrum (and solo travellers) can navigate airports with greater confidence and ease.
With careful planning, preparation, and support, the journey can be just as enjoyable as the destination itself. Getting through airports is challenging, yet rewarding once you safely arrive at your destination. I wish everyone safe travels!
