It’s not every day an airline does something that brings a lump to your throat — and we’re not talking about lost luggage or economy seating. No, this is a different kind of story. One that doesn’t involve turbulence or tray tables, but rather tenderness, thoughtfulness, and a quietly brilliant idea that deserves the full volume of applause.
This month, Air New Zealand turned its Auckland training facility into a runway for empathy, hosting a first-of-its-kind flight familiarisation experience for neurodiverse children and their families. And in doing so, the national carrier reminded us that the most meaningful journeys often begin long before wheels leave the tarmac.
In partnership with Autism New Zealand and Acorn Neurodiversity, the airline invited families to take part in a simulated travel day — complete with check-in, security, boarding, and cabin procedures — all carried out in a low-stress, sensory-considerate environment. The goal? Strip away the fear, the guesswork, and the noise, and replace them with calm, confidence, and maybe even a bit of joy.
Flying Without Leaving the Ground
To the casual observer, it might have looked like a well-rehearsed dress rehearsal. But to the families involved, it was nothing short of transformational.
Senior Aircraft Programme Manager Ed Collett, who also leads the airline’s Enable Network — a group for employees living with disability or caring for someone who is — summed it up with quiet conviction.
“As the father of a young adult with autism, I know firsthand how lonely and overwhelming air travel can be,” he said. “These experiences do more than simulate travel — they build confidence, reduce fear, and help remove the invisible barriers that too often limit opportunity.”
And what a difference that makes. A boarding gate that no longer feels like a war zone. A metal detector that doesn’t sound like a siren of doom. A cabin that’s not just pressurised but personalised, however briefly, for those who need it most.
No PR Spin, Just People
In a world where airlines are falling over themselves to upsell seat selections and charge for window views, it’s refreshing — dare we say astonishing — to see a national carrier focused on something other than the bottom line.
This wasn’t about grabbing headlines or scoring corporate social responsibility points. It was about listening. Learning. And walking a mile in someone else’s shoes — even if they’re Velcro-fastened and attached to a child nervous about what comes next.
And there was plenty of listening in the lead-up to this initiative. According to Acorn Neurodiversity’s CEO, Tami Harris, the entire program was shaped not from a boardroom but from community voices.
“This is what co-design looks like,” Harris said. “This initiative was shaped with lived experience at the centre. It’s a reminder that inclusion isn’t about grand gestures, but about meaningful, thoughtful changes that make people feel safe, welcome, and understood.”
A Practice Run That Meant the World
The feedback from Autism New Zealand was equally glowing. Chief Executive Dane Dougan didn’t mince words when reflecting on what the experience meant.
“For many families in our community, flying can feel like an impossible task,” he said. “This gave them the tools, the time, and the space to make it possible.”
It’s the sort of thing that will never appear in an airline’s financial report. Still, it’s etched in the faces of kids who now know what it feels like to board an aircraft without fear — and in the hearts of parents who finally breathe easier knowing their next holiday might not begin with a meltdown.
This Is the Kind of Take-Off That Matters
Air New Zealand has promised that this is just the beginning. The airline plans to work further with its community partners to refine, expand, and embed inclusive practices across its operations — not only for neurodiverse travellers but for everyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed at 30,000 feet.
Of course, there’s no in-flight entertainment on the ground. No beverage cart to argue with. No tiny bathrooms to wrestle a toddler in. But in many ways, this trial flight offered something even more valuable — trust, predictability, and a shot of confidence for kids who just needed to know what was coming next.
And if that’s not what good travel — or good business — is about, then really, what is?
So, hats off to Air New Zealand. In a world where airlines so often ask for our loyalty, it’s wonderful to see one earn it, not through points or perks, but through compassion and common sense.
Now that’s something worth boarding.
#AirNewZealand #InclusiveTravel #NeurodiversityMatters #AutismAwareness #AccessibleFlying #FamilyTravel
By Michelle Warner
