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Enabling passengers to travel with assurance, Emirates has introduced a range of new services and offerings for individuals with disabilities at the 7th edition ofAccessAbilities ExpoAt Dubai World Trade Centre. Emirates’ latest services and improved offerings include a newTravel Center for All Abilitiesaccessible via emirates.com for international customers – offering a wide range of details for travelers with different accessibility needs and allowing them to organize their trip according to their specific requirements.

Emirates also introduced new in-flight sensory items and fidget toys for both kids and adults, along with a range of process improvements throughout the in-flight experience. Additionally, there are enhanced ground facilities at its Dubai hub, as well as several new and forward-thinking concepts that are currently being developed.

New features and improvements offered by Emirates for passengers with special needs

New ‘Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub’ on Emirates.com

Emirates new Easy and Welcoming Travel CenterOn the main Emirates.com platform, there is a section designed to include all the necessary details for accessible and inclusive travel. It offers user-friendly navigation, enabling customers to locate information effortlessly and discover the various ways Emirates can offer travel assistance and support. The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub will keep developing and expanding to better meet customer requirements.

To help ease anxiety when traveling, the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub took a year to develop, leading to a design that offers a smooth visual appearance and carefully considered, easy-to-use navigation features.

To ensure uniform and accessible experiences, the website utilizes a token-based structure, allowing for smooth updates and easier personalization. The color scheme is thoroughly evaluated for contrast adherence to guarantee visibility and legibility, and the designs are assessed with assistive tools like screen readers, voice commands, and keyboard navigation.

Customers have the option to view and navigate sections based on disability; includingAssistive Mobility, Visual Disability, Hearing Disabilityand Hidden Disabilities.Alternatively, clients may choose to explore by focusing on particular segments of the process, which are distinctly organized –Prior to your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting through Dubaiand Arriving in Dubai. A third option enables customers to search according to particular requirements, includingBook Special Assistance, Get Ready for Travel with the Autism-Friendly Guide, Discover the Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory Guides, Locate Emirates Support via the Be My Eyes Support App for Individuals with Visual Impairments, Apply for a Sanad Tourist Card to Access Helpful Services in Dubaiand more.

There are also specific sections onTraveling with a Wheelchair and Mobility Devices, and comprehensive details onMedical Travel – Apply for a Frequent Traveler Medical Card (FREMEC) for passengers with health issuesor are travelling with medications and medical devices. The new Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub also includes a section onFamily Travel with clear information on Traveling with Kids, Traveling While Pregnantand Unaccompanied Minors travel.

The Emirates Accessible and Inclusive Travel Hub was thoughtfully created to allow for easy and quick updates with fresh information and enhancements, as the needs of accessible travel keep changing. During the development of the hub, Emirates applied inclusive research techniques, such as involving a wide variety of users, including individuals with disabilities, in usability testing.

New Sensory Items and Fidget Devices Available Onboard

Emirates has created a variety of sensory items and fidget toys for passengers of all ages, set to be available throughout all cabin classes starting 1 November 2025. Sensory products and fidget toys are well-known for their capacity to provide structured stimulation for neurodivergent individuals, helping an overstimulated mind to relax and find balance.

To assist passengers in such circumstances, Emirates has created a touch-based stress relief item shaped like an airplane, two varieties of fidget cube, and a branded aircraft-shaped rubber popper. These items will be provided to neurodiverse travelers, individuals experiencing difficulties during the flight, and anxious flyers when suitable.

New Mattress in Business Class to improve comfort and reduce disturbance

In Business Class, Emirates has launched a new product and process improvement that will benefit customers with accessibility needs – a new ‘mattress hood.’ This is an upgrade to Emirates’ current mattress, designed for passengers who want to rest or sleep in Business Class – the new mattress now features an integrated ‘hood’ that secures the mattress more tightly to the seat – much like a fitted sheet.

Since the mattress is now more firmly secured on the seat, it no longer has to be retrieved by cabin crew prior to landing. This will offer a major comfort enhancement for passengers with serious mobility impairments who choose not to be relocated during the flight. Emirates’ new mattress cover has received special approval for use during takeoff and landing.

New Accessibility Options for In-Flight Entertainment –ice

Emirates is dedicated to establishing industry benchmarks and ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The airline now provides more than 600 films featuring ‘Closed Captions’ and 200 movies with ‘Audio Description,’ making it easier for passengers with visual impairments to enjoy their travel experience. Additionally, Emirates headphones work with hearing aids when switched to the ‘T’ setting.

To reduce stress or promote calmness, there are 12 channels ofWellbeing TV and 31 channels of Happiness and Wellbeingaudio content and collections, featuring relaxation exercises and calming noises.

Onboard Emirates’ most recent aircraft, the Airbus A350-900, a new user interface on iceHas been developed in collaboration with Thales and organizations supporting individuals with visual disabilities, to guarantee that every customer enjoys a user-friendly and top-notch in-flight entertainment experience.

This provides optimal practice insights for customers who are blind or have low vision, including audio-cue navigation support, voice-based metadata feedback, touch and swipe gesture compatibility, and highlights the extensive range of audio-described (AD) content available on ice.

Enhanced Accessibility and Biometric Systems in Dubai

At Emirates’ Terminal 3 hub, Dubai International (DXB), a smart corridor has been installed with an accessible design and biometric technology to enable seamless, autonomous travel for passengers with disabilities. The space now includes adaptable camera systems that can automatically adjust their height and angle, ensuring they do not hinder or limit movement for individuals using wheelchairs or facing mobility challenges.

The self-service check-in terminals at Emirates have also been upgraded, featuring text-to-speech options, enhanced touchscreen ease of use, braille and tactile elements, a headphone port for those with mobility or visual impairments, and the capability to adjust height to suit passengers.

Emirates Accessible Driver Service

Emirates has introduced a newly upgraded Emirates-branded wheelchair-friendly vehicle, which serves as the model for a planned set of 10 vehicles scheduled to be launched by early 2026. The Chauffeur Drive vehicle is a Mercedes V250 Van equipped with an electric wheelchair lift and ramp. The lift is a motorized system designed to extend and lower to ground level, allowing customers to safely transfer their wheelchairs into the vehicle smoothly.

Inside, the extra safety measures ensure the customer, who might have significant mobility challenges, is properly secured. Emirates’ chauffeur drivers are currently undergoing training in mobility support and assisting customers with disabilities. At present, the wheelchair-friendly vehicle is utilized for First and Business Class passengers using chauffeur services based in Dubai, with intentions to expand its availability in the future.

Research and Development – Programs Aimed at Inclusive Mobility

At Emirates, groups of innovation specialists are focused on creating solutions for challenges such as Accessibility. The team has already developed multiple prototypes aimed at assisting Emirates’ customers with accessibility needs. One of the innovations Emirates is looking into is a partnership with Airbus to enhance cabin accessibility. By utilizing a specific technology provider, the concept will enable passengers who are blind or have limited vision to travel independently. This will be achieved through QR codes positioned discreetly, which can connect to the passengers’ phones and deliver audio descriptions of the cabin, along with haptic feedback to help locate key features like seat rows, restrooms, emergency exits, and digital menus.

Emirates’ emphasis on Inclusive Travel

Championing Change

Emirates is driving transformation within the aviation sector, aiming to enhance accessibility and inclusivity for all travelers. As part of its commitment to fostering change, Emirates created a specialized Office of Accessibility and Inclusion and was recognized as the World’s First Autism Certified Airline in March 2025. The airline has trained over 35,000 employees to assist passengers with autism and has launched the ‘Travel Rehearsal’ program in 17 countries, enabling customers to familiarize themselves with the airport process prior to their journey.

Designing for Dignity

Emirates is working on developing new policies, procedures, and offerings, with an emphasis on ensuring the dignity of customers who have accessibility needs. To enable every customer to travel with assurance, Emirates has recently introduced a new Accessibility policy and pledge. The airline has also implemented updated processes in its Call Centres to better assist customer requirements, launched the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com to enhance the customer experience, and introduced various new products aimed at supporting accessible travel, developed in collaboration with direct input from communities and groups with accessibility travel needs.

Advancing Accessibility

Emirates keeps pushing the accessible travel initiative ahead in a changing environment, taking the right and responsible actions gradually while focusing on innovation. Emirates collaborates with various international partners to promote the accessible travel agenda – including lawmakers, service providers, particular groups, communities, and global travelers. Emirates also strives to enhance accessibility by establishing standardized global procedures and ensuring uniformity – both online, in call centers, at airports, and during flights.

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