American
Airlines is continuing its efforts to make air travel more accessible for
all types of families. This weekend, it did so by hosting a hands-on event at Charlotte
Douglas International Airport (CLT), designed to offer families with
special-needs kids an air travel experience.
On Saturday,
April 11, the airline welcomed around 50 families to participate in its “It’s
Cool to Fly American” program, which provides the full airport experience
without actually taking a flight. The goal is to help kids with autism and
other special needs feel more comfortable with a process that can be
overwhelming.
Participants
moved through each step of the journey—from check-in and security screening to
waiting in crowded spaces at the gate, boarding the plane and even taxiing on
the runway. For many families, it’s those unfamiliar sights, sounds and crowds
that can make flying especially challenging.
One of the parents,
Scott Dillingham, told Charlotte’s news outlet WCNC
that the flight rehearsal experience definitely made a difference for his
daughter.
"She was able
to get on the airplane, experience the whole coming through security, going on
the plane, boarding, and the taxi today, so she enjoyed the whole step," he
said.
Organizers say the
whole point of the program is to help kids get used to the overall sensory
experience of flying, so families can head into a real trip feeling more
confident and less unsure about what to expect.
Held during Autism
Acceptance Month, “It’s Cool to Fly American” has been around since 2014 and
has continued to grow. American Airlines partners with groups like Autism
Speaks, Autism Society of North Carolina and Autism Charlotte, along with
airports across the country, to bring these events to more families.
So far, more than
8,500 participants from about 4,500 families have taken part in these events at
more than 62 locations nationwide.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
