Travelers who require accessibility accommodations might have a smoother journey on their next flight, thanks to Emirates’ newest services.
The Dubai-based carrier has just launched a host of new accommodations and products for travelers with accessibility needs, from neurodivergence to limited mobility. The new services, which the airline announced at the AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai, are available along each step of the journey, from booking travel to arriving at the airport and on board the plane.
Here’s a look at all of the improvements the airline will begin offering this fall.
New accessibility services during travel booking
Travelers in the planning stages of their trip can now use the airline’s new “Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub” on Emirates’ website to research travel assistance and support. The information hub offers travel information broken down into different sections, including for travelers with specific disabilities, like Mobility Assistance, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, and Hidden Disabilities. Travelers can also search for information by stage of their journey, with specific categories like “Before your flight,” “Departure from Dubai,” “Onboard your flight,” “Connecting in Dubai,” and “Arriving in Dubai.”
Additional dedicated sections in the online hub include information on booking special assistance, traveling with a wheelchair, an autism-friendly travel guide, and more. The entire hub features accessibility-friendly navigation, and its design has been tested for compatibility with assistance devices, such as screen readers and voice control.
New products available in-flight
On board its planes, Emirates is introducing new products to ease travel for fliers with a range of accessibility needs. The carrier will begin offering sensory products and fidget toys to passengers on November 1. The products include a tactile stress reliever in the shape of an aircraft, two types of fidget cubes, and a branded aircraft rubber popper. The items will be handed out to “passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard, and even to nervous flyers if appropriate,” according to the airline.
Elsewhere on board, the airline is rolling out new mattresses in business class that feature a hood-like design, which attaches more securely to the seat. Thanks to this design, which the airline compares to a fitted sheet, the mattress doesn’t need to be collected before takeoff or landing.“For customers with severe mobility disabilities who prefer not to be moved mid-flight, this will be a significant improvement to comfort onboard,” the airline says.
Across cabin classes, all passengers can tap into accessibility improvements in the airline’s entertainment system, including 600 movies with closed captions and 200 movies with audio description. Emirates is also launching a new interface on its entertainment system that gives audio-cue navigation for travelers with visual impairments. The system is currently available on the airline’s new Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Accessibility improvements at Dubai International Airport (DXB)
At its home airport in Dubai, Emirates has also added new accessibility features to its self-check-in kiosks, including text-to-speech functions, braille and tactile features, and a headphone jack to accommodate sight impairments. In early 2026, it will also add 10 wheelchair accessible vehicles to its chauffeur service for first and business class customers at the Dubai airport, with plans to expand to additional airports in the near future.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
