Emirates Unveils Inclusive Travel Hub & Accessibility Upgrades

Dubai – Emirates has raised the bar for accessible air travel, unveiling a comprehensive range of new services and products for passengers with disabilities at the 7th AccessAbilities Expo held at Dubai World Trade Centre. With a focus on comfort, independence, and inclusivity, the airline aims to empower all travelers to fly confidently.

Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub

At the heart of Emirates’ latest offerings is the new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com. Designed for easy navigation and clear, user-friendly access to information, the hub allows passengers to plan their journey according to their specific needs. Travelers can explore sections tailored to mobility assistance, visual or hearing impairment, and hidden disabilities, or browse by journey stages such as “Before Your Flight,” “Onboard Your Flight,” and “Arriving in Dubai.”

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The hub also features tools such as sensory guides, autism-friendly travel resources, DXB airport maps, and support through apps like “Be My Eyes” for visually impaired passengers. Family travel, medical travel, and unaccompanied minors’ guidance are all included to make planning smoother and less stressful.

Sensory Products & Fidget Toys Onboard

To enhance comfort for neurodiverse travelers, Emirates has introduced sensory products and fidget toys across all cabin classes starting 1 November 2025. Items include aircraft-shaped tactile stress relievers, fidget cubes, and branded poppers designed to help passengers manage overstimulation or anxiety during the flight.

Business Class Comfort Upgrades

Business Class passengers will benefit from a new mattress hood that secures the mattress to the seat, minimizing disruption and improving comfort, particularly for passengers with severe mobility disabilities.

Inflight Entertainment Accessibility

The airline has expanded accessibility on its ice inflight entertainment system, offering over 600 movies with closed captions and 200 with audio description, alongside headphones compatible with hearing aids. The Airbus A350-900 features a redesigned interface with voice navigation, touch gestures, and metadata feedback to ensure an intuitive experience for visually impaired travelers.

Barrier-Free Access & Chauffeur Drive Enhancements

Dubai International’s Terminal 3 has been upgraded with barrier-free corridors, smart camera coverage, and self-service kiosks featuring braille, text-to-speech, and adjustable touchscreens. Emirates also unveiled a wheelchair-accessible Mercedes V250 Chauffeur Drive vehicle, with plans to expand the fleet in 2026, providing seamless travel for First and Business Class customers.

Driving Innovation in Accessible Travel

Emirates continues to explore innovative solutions, including cabin accessibility using QR codes for independent navigation and haptic feedback for visually impaired passengers. The airline’s ongoing initiatives aim to create consistency in accessible travel globally, from online booking to in-flight services.

With these upgrades, Emirates sets a new industry standard, demonstrating that air travel can be inclusive, dignified, and stress-free for passengers with disabilities.