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. 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. 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.

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 something 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 London Stansted 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. We’ve created some handy top tips and airport familiarisation videos which will help you to identify any areas where you might want to request additional support.

Everyone working at London Stansted Airport has been trained to look out for our green Sunflower Lanyard. Wearing one of these helps us to easily identify passengers who might need additional support or extra guidance through the terminal and security areas. These travel lanyards are free of charge and you can pick one up on your day of travel at the Assistance reception in Zone A.

Sunflower lanyards won't automatically grant you access to the Security FastTrack lane, but if you feel you’d benefit from using our dedicated Assistance lane, speak to a member of staff at security. Remember to contact your airline at least 48 hours before you travel if you would like to pre-book assistance for additional support throughout your journey.

Security checks are a vital part of the airport journey for every passenger, but our security colleagues at London Stansted Airport have been given specific training to support anyone with non-visible disabilities who may find physical contact distressing. If the security team decides that a manual search is absolutely necessary, don’t worry, it can be conducted in private with a chaperone. Security colleagues will allow extra time to explain to you why they need to conduct the search, what it will involve, and they’ll answer any questions you may have. They’ll also take extra time to explain the process when conducting a search on a cabin bag.

The best way to minimise the chances of a manual search 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.

Sunflower lanyards don’t automatically allow you through the security FastTrack lane, but you can book assistance via your airline to grant you access to our Assisted Travel lane in the Security area.

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 London Stansted Airport with autism. Read the food and drink menus from your favourite airport restaurants online and take a look at which airport shops you might want to visit.

Our Escape Lounge can offer a retreat from the hustle and bustle of the main areas, and a buffet and bar service is included in the price along with unlimited hot and soft drinks and free Wi-Fi. (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.) We also have a quiet seating area away from the noise, bright lights and crowds of the main departure lounge. Follow the signs to the additional seating area on the mezzanine level below close to The Windmill restaurant. It’s accessible via the stairs, lift and escalators.

Our Fast Track Plus door, located just after security by the toilets, allows you to bypass the busy World Duty Free area completely. It brings you out opposite the Escape Lounge into the middle of the terminal opposite the train track system by the quiet seating area. Our assistance team needs to escort passengers wearing sunflower lanyards via this door as it’s accessed only by pre-booked codes or a staff pass.

You can also choose to use our Airside assistance waiting area which is open between 0800-1700. Waiting here doesn’t automatically mean assistance will be offered but you can use this as a meeting/waiting area between check-in and transferring to your departure gate.

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. If you require any help through London Stansted Airport, remember to let your airline or travel agent know at least 48 hours before you travel. That’ll give them the chance to let our friendly Assisted Travel Team know. We’re also able to offer assistance to anyone who reports to the Assistance reception point. You’ll find it in the check-in hall 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.

Click here for all AccessAble access guides for London Stansted Airport.