Virgin Atlantic has launched an accredited Autism Awareness training programme for its cabin crew, produced in partnership with the specialist organisation Autism Double-Checked (ADC).
The mandatory digital training, which begins this month, is comprised of two modules. The first covers general awareness of autism, while the second is tailored specifically to the cabin crew role, focusing on the inflight experience. All crew members will complete the sessions as part of their annual recurrent learning.
The curriculum is designed to help staff identify sensory sensitivities and signs of distress, while providing practical tools for adapting communication and offering reassurance to passengers. The training was developed with input from Virgin Atlantic’s aviation medicine, accessibility and passenger health teams, alongside staff members who are parents of autistic children.
Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer, Virgin Atlantic, said: “At Virgin Atlantic, we’re committed to making sure everyone can take on the world. We know that for autistic customers and their families, flying can be a unique and unfamiliar environment which presents challenges.
“By listening to our customers and working with autism travel specialists Autism Double-Checked, alongside our own people who have personal experience of autism, we’ve built a training programme that gives every crew member the understanding and confidence to make a real difference onboard.”
Alan Day, Founder and CEO of Autism Double-Checked, said: “For autistic travellers and their families, knowing that every crew member on a flight has been trained to understand and support their needs is such a positive step in the right direction. We’re proud to have developed this programme with Virgin Atlantic and hope it sets a new standard for the industry.”
Virgin Atlantic plans to expand this training to all customer-facing ground teams in 2026. The move follows other recent accessibility initiatives from the carrier, including the 2024 introduction of British Sign Language training and the formation of an Accessibility Advisory Board to guide the airline’s long-term approach to inclusive travel.
