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Hidden disabilities
Explore tailored services for a smooth, accessible journey for guests with hidden disabilities or needing extra assistance.
Assisted travel lounge
The Assisted Travel Lounge at DXB Terminal 2 Departures is our first dedicated space designed to enhance accessible travel for People of Determination and travellers with hidden disabilities.
Designed for comfort, the lounge offers wheelchair-friendly areas, noise-reducing seating and a decompression zone for autistic guests. Calming lighting, tactile materials and a private space for unaccompanied minors ensure a peaceful experience inside the busy terminal.
Find it on the airport map
Travel Planner
The Travel Planner is a step-by-step visual guide designed to help guests with hidden disabilities, including autism, prepare for their journey through DXB and DWC. It provides an overview of what to expect at each stage of the airport experience, helping reduce anxiety and build confidence ahead of travel.
Download Travel Planner
Sunflower lanyard
As part of the global Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Programme, the Sunflower lanyard is available for guests with hidden disabilities. Wearing the lanyard discreetly signals that they may need additional time and support during their journey.
Guests wearing the lanyards can access family and priority lanes at all guest-processing touchpoints across both Departures and Arrivals. To further enhance the travel experience, we encourage our guests with autism to review available support materials prior to travelling, helping to reduce anxiety and ensure a smoother airport experience.
You can collect your Sunflower lanyard from the departure areas of any terminal at DXB and DWC.
Visit the Hidden Disabilities Website for more information.
DPNA Code
DPNA stands for “Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance”. This code, introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2008, is used in airline bookings to inform travel service providers that the guest requires assistance during their journey.
Security checkpoints
Dubai Police has implemented services to support guests with physical, hearing, visual and cognitive impairments. Metal detector gates have been customised in line with the standards and requirements for wheelchairs and 400 employees have been trained to assist guests with intellectual disabilities. As a consideration for guests with prosthetic limbs, a private room has been allocated for inspection. To help facilitate the inspection process, guests are encouraged to carry any relevant medical reports.
At both DXB and DWC, dedicated security lanes are available for People of Determination (PwD) at Arrivals and Departures, ensuring a faster, easier, and more dignified screening experience. These lanes are clearly marked with identification stickers for ease of access.
Hidden Disabilities Route
Dubai Airports has created a dedicated Autism-Friendly Route at both DXB and DWC designed to make every stage of the journey calmer and more predictable for guests with autism and their families.
The route includes check-in and dedicated lanes for passport control, immigration and security screening. The route is clearly marked with sunflower symbols — including floor stickers and branded signage at service counters – making it easier to navigate. Trained Guest Experience Ambassadors wearing sunflower pins are available throughout the airport to offer additional assistance and support.
Can we fast-track check-in, passport control and security?
- Dedicated lanes are available at security and passport control. Look for the sunflower stickers on the floor to guide you to the dedicated desk.
- While check-in is at the airline’s discretion, guests wearing a Sunflower lanyard will typically be invited to move forward in the queue.
- Boarding is also at the airline’s discretion, but you will typically be offered a choice of when you’d prefer to board — early or at the end — depending on what feels most comfortable.
General support
How will I identify an employee who can support me?
- All airport employees are available to help, but team members wearing a Sunflower pin have received specialised training to support guests with autism and hidden disabilities – as well as all types of disabilities - and are best equipped to offer assistance along your journey.
- If you wear your lanyard, airport employees can easily identify you and provide support.
Frequently asked questions about the products and services at DXB and DWC for PwD with hidden disabilities.
Background Information
What are the products and services on offer?
- We have a hidden disability and autism friendly route across DXB and DWC. You can use your Sunflower lanyard as identification so airport employees can recognise you and support you throughout your journey.
What is the DPNA code?
- The DPNA code, “Disabled Passenger with Intellectual or Developmental Disability Needing Assistance”, was introduced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2008.
- Guests can use the DPNA code when booking their ticket. It will notify airlines of the additional support needed during the journey.
Are any documents required to avail of the service and use the facilities?
- No documents are required, and guests can approach our employees to request the service.
- Guests will not be asked to provide proof of PwD status.
Is the service free of charge?
- Yes, the service is free of charge.
Where can I find more information about PwD services and products at DXB?
- Visit the Additional Assistance section on our website.
Check-in
Is there a dedicated check-in desk?
- Terminals 1, 2 and DWC: Guests can approach an employee in the check-in area to be guided through the autism friendly process.
- Terminal 3: Those wearing the Sunflower lanyard can use the Additional Assistance desk to check in.
Products and services - Sunflower lanyard
Where can I get the sunflower lanyard at the airport?
- Terminal 1: Prior to the check-in area entry point. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; our airport employees will be happy to give you a Sunflower lanyard.
- Terminal 2: Prior to the check-in areas. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; airport employees will be happy to provide a Sunflower lanyard.
- Terminal 3: At the departure hall info desk which is parallel to Departures entrance 2
- DWC: Prior to the check-in areas. Look for the Sunflower on the screen; airport employees will be happy to provide a Sunflower lanyard.
- All Terminals: Collect a Sunflower lanyard at the desk located before the passport control.
Can I get my Sunflower lanyard prior to coming to the Airport?
- Dubai residents can collect a Sunflower lanyard from the Dubai Autism Centre.
- Sunflower lanyards are also available to purchase from online shopping platforms.
Is my family eligible to use the sunflower lanyard?
- The Sunflower lanyard is available to anyone who would like to identify themselves as a Person of Determination (PwD) with a hidden disability.
- Only one lanyard is provided to each child registered as DPNA (and therefore the family).
- The accompanying family can use the autism friendly route.
Who can wear the Sunflower lanyard?
- The PwD can wear the lanyard, or the caregiver.
How many Sunflower lanyards can I take?
- One Sunflower lanyard for the person of determination (including family).
- The accompanying family do not need to wear one (the caregiver can wear the lanyard if the person of determination does not want to).
Do I have to give the sunflower lanyard back?
- The Sunflower lanyard is for you to keep and reuse.
What is the route through the airport if I wear the Sunflower lanyard?
- The Sunflower lanyard allows airport employees to provide dedicated service.
- Check-in will be autism friendly.
- There are dedicated lanes for passport control and security screening. Look for the PwD symbol
to identify dedicated services/areas.
How will I recognise the dedicated areas for PwD with hidden disabilities?
- Look for the Sunflower logo to identify dedicated areas and services at each of the guest journey touchpoints.
How will I identify someone to support me?
- All employees are here to support and assist.
- Employees who are specifically trained to support PwD will wear the Sunflower badge.
Can I use the Sunflower lanyard in other airports?
- Globally, airports that offer a PwD service will recognise the Sunflower lanyard.
Products
Is there a sensory pod available at DXB?
- At this time, there is no Sensory Pod available in DXB or DWC.
- A Sensory Pod was on a trial at Terminal 3. Dubai Airports is assessing the feedback and the potential to offer it as a permanent service.
Special assistance services
Transport options
Information about accessible transport and parking.
Facilities & services
Find out what's available.
Special assistance
Get in touch with the airline for additional support.