Virgin Atlantic rolls out accredited autism awareness training for all cabin crew

The mandatory program, developed with autism travel specialists Autism Double-Checked, gives crew practical tools to support autistic passengers and will extend to all ground staff later in 2026.

Virgin Atlantic has launched accredited autism awareness training for all cabin crew in partnership with Autism Double-Checked. Photo Credit: Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic has launched an accredited autism awareness training program for its cabin crew, developed in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, a specialist organization focused on autism-friendly travel.

The mandatory program consists of two digital modules covering general autism awareness and cabin crew-specific guidance on the inflight experience, and will form part of annual recurrent learning for all crew.

The training covers recognizing sensory sensitivities and signs of distress, adapting communication styles, and providing reassurance throughout the journey. Virgin Atlantic plans to extend the program to all customer-facing ground teams later in 2026, with the aim of providing consistent support at every stage of the travel experience.

Holly Branson, Chief Vision Officer at Virgin, wrote on LinkedIn that she is "proud of the work Virgin is doing to address this," noting that traveling "for people with autism, it's often an incredible stressful one."

Becky Woodmansee, Chief People Officer at Virgin Atlantic, says: "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."

Wider accessibility efforts across the Virgin group

The cabin crew training sits within a broader push across the Virgin group. All Virgin Hotels properties already hold Autism Double-Checked certification, with specially trained teams, sensory-aware spaces, and design features intended to help neurodiverse guests. In Australia, Virgin Australia runs a "Try Before You Fly" program that allows people with disabilities or sensory sensitivities to experience the journey from check-in to boarding before taking a real flight.

Alan Day, Founder and CEO of Autism Double-Checked, says: "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."

Aeron Lloyd-Wren, a Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member, says: "My son is autistic, and I've experienced first-hand both the joys and the challenges that travel can bring. As cabin crew, we're in a unique position. Small adjustments such as understanding sensory sensitivities, communicating clearly and offering reassurance can completely transform a family's journey. For me, this isn't just training. It's about dignity, inclusion, and ensuring that families like mine feel welcome when they travel with us."

The program launches this May, with ground staff training to follow before the end of 2026. It builds on the airline's introduction of British Sign Language training in 2024 and the formation of an Accessibility Advisory Board to shape its approach to inclusive travel.