Hawaiian Airlines hosted its largest-ever disability practice flight on 18 October, bringing 258 travellers with disabilities and their families to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport for a full rehearsal of the air travel process aboard an Airbus A330. The aircraft pushed back and taxied around the airport without taking off, giving participants experience of airport procedures, aircraft movement and onboard conditions in a controlled setting.
Participants checked in, received boarding passes, passed through security, found their gate and boarded the widebody aircraft. The exercise was designed to help people with autism, sensory sensitivities and other disabilities become more familiar with crowded terminals, announcements, engine noise and the physical experience of taxiing before taking an actual trip.
Hawaiian organised the event with Never Quit Dreaming, the Hawaiʻi Autism Foundation and the Autism Society of Hawaii. It was the airline’s first disability practice flight in Honolulu since a similar programme in 2016 and the first time it had used a widebody aircraft for the exercise, allowing more families to participate.
Shelly Parker, Hawaiian’s head of Hawaiʻi Guest Operations, said the programme was intended to help every guest feel welcome and confident when travelling with the airline.