The Miami Airport Customer Service team offered a group of local children with Autism and Asperger’s an opportunity to learn about the different steps of air traveling. The experience allowed children to understand a process that can be daunting. Children with Autism and Asperger’s often experience great stress when surrounded by noise, people and unfamiliar situations. The experience also provided parents the opportunity to learn how to better manage every step of the journey.

For the children, the simulated flight experience was their first opportunity to navigate the complexities of checking-in, going through the TSA protocol and walking to the gate, where agents welcomed them to board the simulated flight and then provided them with in-flight meal. 

“We want every child that travels with Delta to have a great experience and enjoy Delta’s services in the sky, so they can go around to different parts of the world feeling safe and happy,” said Luciano Macagno, Managing Director – Latin America and the Caribbean.  

During the flight simulation, Delta executives and employees guided the families and showed them the different parts of the plane, including the cockpit, where a member from the crew was there to explain how to pilot the plane.

“Autistic children can become quite anxious at an airport and today the focus was to ease that stress and answer their questions so in the future they look forward to traveling,” said John Higgins, Station Manager – Miami. “Interacting with these families also helps our team to be more in tune with their needs.”   

To ensure the best of service and accessibility, Delta offers information for travelers with disabilities on delta.com.

This event was a new chapter in Delta’s ongoing efforts to connect with the communities where the airline operates. Last November, the Delta team in Peru simulated a flight experience for the Ann Sullivan Center for students with autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.