News
Air New Zealand launches program for young neurodivergent flyers
June 10th 2025
Air New Zealand (Air NZ) has given neurodivergent children and their families the opportunity to experience every aspect of taking a flight without leaving the ground to help build confidence and familiarity about flying. Read More » The airline has partnered with Autism New Zealand and Acorn Neurodiversity to host the flight familiarisation day this past weekend at its training facility, where the children and their families were given the opportunity to go through the check-in, security screening and boarding process, as well as in-cabin procedures, in a low-stress setting. “As the father of a young adult with autism, I know firsthand how lonely and overwhelming air travel sometimes feels,” Air NZ senior aircraft program manager and enable network lead, Ed Collett, said. “These experiences do more than simulate travel - they build confidence, reduce fear, and help remove the invisible barriers that too often limit opportunity. The experience also showed the power of empathy in action. Not only did it support families, but it also gave our people a deeper understanding of how small acts can make a huge difference in someone’s journey.”
