Travelling with autism and non-visible disabilities

Short-haul destinations may work better than long-haul flights when travelling with autism, and choosing a direct flight will make getting from A to B much simpler. You can fly direct to over 200 destinations from Manchester Airport, which has the most extensive route network of any UK airport outside of London. If you’d prefer to steer away from large crowds, try to avoid booking during the most popular travelling periods like school holidays. The period between 6am and 8am is one of the busiest times of day at an airport, so late morning and mid-afternoon are often better times to fly.

When booking your flights, think about where you’re going to sit to maximise your personal space. Is selecting a window seat or an aisle seat better for your needs? Also, if you sit near an exit, you’ll minimise the amount of time it’ll take to get on and off the plane.

If you’re travelling with a hidden disability, why not add a few handy extra items to your list of packing essentials. Earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones are a great way to help reduce stress levels in busier parts of the airport and on the plane. If you have a cuddly toy or something else that gives you comfort, remember to bring it with you on your travels. It’s important to stay hydrated, so remember to pack your favourite water bottle. For an extra smooth security experience, bring an empty one and fill it up at one of the available drinking fountains once you’re through to the departure gates. Once you get on the plane, your cabin crew might even fill it up for you after take off.

It's helpful for neurodivergent first-time flyers to have an idea of what to expect before arriving at the airport. Why not create your own autism travel kit with a tick list so you can visualise the different stages like check-in, bag drop, security, the departure lounge, and boarding? Creating a guide will offer a sense of structure and it might help to reduce stress levels. Our Manchester Airport video journey guide will help you decide what to add to your list in the right order.

Everyone working at Manchester Airport has been specially trained to recognise the Sunflower Lanyard. Wearing one of these helps us to easily identify passengers travelling through Manchester Airport with non-visible disabilities who might need additional support or understanding. It also gives you access to our family and priority lanes at security to help make the process go as smoothly as possible. When you arrive back into Manchester Airport after your trip, wearing your Sunflower Lanyard means you can use our assistance lanes at Security and Immigration. These travel lanyards are free of charge and you can pick one up on your day of travel at the Assistance Reception desk in the departure hall at each terminal (unfortunately we are unable to post a lanyard to your home address beforehand.)

Our Assisted Travel team can arrange for you to bypass busier areas like World Duty Free to avoid sensory overload. Terminal 1 has a dedicated Sunflower Room located near the Airline Information Desk which offers a space away from the noise, bright lights and crowds of the main Departure Lounge. There are also quiet seating areas available in Terminals 2 and 3. Check with your airline as they may offer the use of dedicated Assistance or Priority check-in desks, and allow passengers with non-visible disabilities to pre-board the aircraft first.

Security checks are a vital part of the airport journey for every passenger, but our security colleagues at Manchester Airport have been given specific travel training for autism, as well as other hidden disabilities. This means they are ready to support anyone with non-visible disabilities who may find physical contact distressing. If you’re wearing your Sunflower Lanyard, you’ll be directed through our family and priority lanes. If the security team decides that a manual search is absolutely necessary, don’t worry, as it can be conducted in private with a chaperone. Security colleagues will allow extra time to explain to the passenger why they need to conduct the search, what it will involve, and they’ll answer any questions they may have. They'll also take extra time to explain the process when conducting a search on a cabin bag belonging to someone travelling through Manchester Airport with a non-visible disability.

The best way to minimise the chances of a manual search for you or your cabin bag, is to make sure you follow aviation security regulations and err on the side of caution if you’re not sure what you can bring. Before going through the body scanners, remember to empty your pockets, and remove belts and outer layers of clothing, as this is the most common reason for a manual search or pat-down. You’ll find lots of helpful security information here.

You can pack liquids in your hand luggage, but there’s usually a limited allowance on flights. All liquids, gels and aerosols must be under 100ml each and packed in one clear, resealable plastic bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm. This should be removed from your hand luggage and placed clearly in the tray provided at Security. If you’re carrying liquid medication over 100ml, or sharp objects like needles or syringes, you'll need to bring a prescription or doctor’s letter explaining why you require them to show to the security officer. They might need to perform a separate scan on oversized amounts of liquids, but you’re allowed to bring them through if you can prove they’ve been prescribed to you. Read more about what you can and can’t take through security.

If you’re planning to relax in the Departure Lounge ahead of your flight, it might help to decide where you want to go and what you want to do before you get there. This can be part of your personalised guide to travelling through Manchester Airport with autism. Read the food and drink menus from your favourite airport restaurant online and take a look at which airport shops you might want to visit. Our airport lounges can offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main areas, and a buffet and bar service is included in the price. (We recommend that nervous flyers avoid drinking alcohol as it could make you more anxious and increase the risk of feeling unwell on the plane.) Unlimited hot and soft drinks and free Wi-Fi is available at our Escape Lounges, and our premium 1903 Lounge.

For an unforgettable experience, you may want to book into aether, our exclusive terminal which is available to all passengers. It has its own security screening area, offers panoramic views onto the runway, and when it’s time to board, you’ll get chauffeur-driven to your gate. The aether hosts make sure that the lounge never gets too busy, and they might even be able screen off a separate section if you require minimum noise or disruption. This terminal is fully wheelchair accessible, with step-free access throughout, and they can liaise with Manchester Airport Assistance Team to support your journey.

We know there’s a lot to think about when you’re travelling with autism at airports, but it doesn’t have to be super stressful. Our friendly Assisted Travel team is on hand whenever you need us. If you require any help through Manchester Airport, remember to let your airline or travel agent know at least 48 hours before you travel. That’ll give them the chance to inform the Assisted Travel Team. We’re also able to offer assistance to anyone who reports to the Assistance Reception points. You’ll find them in the check-in halls when you arrive.

Travelling by air with a disability can seem daunting, but we’re here to answer any queries you may have from accessible parking, to travelling with your mobility equipment, Security, assistance at the airport and other airline procedures. We want to alleviate your autism travel anxiety in advance, to make your airport experience as smooth as possible. If you’d like to get in touch about how to travel with autism, please email us at: EmailUsForConfidence@ABM.com