Emirates Enhances Accessibility with New Suite of Services and Innovations - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

Emirates has unveiled a comprehensive suite of new products and services designed to make air travel more inclusive and accessible for customers with disabilities. The announcement was made at the 7th edition of AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai World Trade Centre, highlighting Emirates’ ongoing commitment to accessibility, comfort, and independence for all passengers.

The new initiatives include the launch of an Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on emirates.com, a redesigned Business Class mattress for improved mobility comfort, new onboard sensory products and fidget tools, expanded accessible inflight entertainment options, and enhanced barrier-free and biometric features across Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com

The newly launched online hub serves as a global digital gateway for travellers with accessibility needs. Designed for ease of navigation and built with assistive technologies, the platform enables customers to plan journeys tailored to specific requirements — including mobility assistance, visual or hearing impairments, and hidden disabilities.

Visitors can explore information by disability type or by journey stage – from pre-flight preparations and check-in at Dubai International Airport to onboard support and arrival assistance. The hub also features detailed sections on travelling with wheelchairs, medical devices, and service animals, as well as guides for autism-friendly travel and family support.

Developed through a year-long inclusive design process, the hub was tested with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control, and keyboard navigation to ensure global accessibility compliance. Emirates plans to continuously update the platform as travel accessibility standards evolve.

New Sensory Products and Fidget Tools Onboard

From November 1, 2025, Emirates will introduce a range of sensory and fidget products for passengers of all ages in every cabin class. These include a tactile aircraft-shaped stress reliever, two types of fidget cubes, and a branded rubber aircraft popper. The items will be available to neurodiverse travellers, passengers experiencing sensory overload, or nervous flyers, helping them relax and self-regulate during the flight.

Enhanced Comfort in Business Class

A new “mattress hood” system has been introduced in Business Class, securing the mattress to the seat like a fitted sheet. This innovation ensures stability during the flight, reducing movement and eliminating the need to remove the mattress before landing. The upgrade provides significant comfort improvements for passengers with limited mobility and has been approved as a safety exception for take-off and landing.

Accessibility Upgrades on Inflight Entertainment – ice

Emirates’ award-winning ice entertainment system now features over 600 movies with Closed Captions and 200 with Audio Description, catering to passengers with visual or hearing impairments. The airline’s headphones are compatible with hearing aids, while the system also offers 12 Wellbeing TV channels and 31 podcast and music options focused on relaxation and mindfulness.

Onboard the Airbus A350-900, Emirates has introduced a new accessible user interface developed with Thales and advocacy groups. It includes audio navigation cues, voice feedback, and tactile swipe gestures, providing an intuitive experience for blind and low-vision travellers.

Barrier-Free Travel Through Dubai International Airport

At Terminal 3, Emirates has upgraded its smart corridor with a barrier-free design and adaptive biometric cameras that self-adjust to the passenger’s height and angle, ensuring smooth and independent movement for travellers with disabilities.

The self-service check-in kiosks now feature text-to-speech functions, braille labels, tactile buttons, adjustable screens, and headphone jacks, supporting a range of mobility and sight challenges.

Accessible Chauffeur Drive Service

Emirates has also introduced a wheelchair-accessible Chauffeur Drive vehicle, currently available for First and Business Class customers in Dubai, with plans to expand to 10 vehicles by early 2026. The Mercedes V250 Van is equipped with an electric wheelchair lift and ramp, allowing safe and seamless boarding. Drivers are being trained in mobility assistance, ensuring an inclusive experience from door to door.

Research and Innovation for Future Accessibility

Emirates’ innovation teams are exploring several next-generation accessibility concepts, including a collaboration with Airbus to integrate discreet QR-coded wayfinding technology within the aircraft cabin. The system would enable passengers who are blind or have low vision to independently navigate the cabin using audio descriptions and haptic feedback for key features such as seat locations, lavatories, and emergency exits.

“Emirates is committed to making air travel more inclusive, comfortable, and empowering for every passenger,” said an Emirates spokesperson. “Our new accessibility features and products are the result of deep collaboration with disability advocates, customers, and innovation partners — ensuring that our guests can fly with greater confidence and dignity.”

For more information, visit www.emirates.com/accessibility.

Image Credit: © Emirates Airlines