Emirates showcased its projects at the AccessAbilities Expo, which took place from October 19 to 21 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. The company presented three concepts currently under development. The first allows visually impaired passengers to discover a cabin before the flight, thanks to an Airbus A350 seat and audio guidance. The second concerns an accessible rest area in its lounges. The third involves biometric boarding gates adapted for use.
" Our ambition is to contribute to shaping a more inclusive future for air transport, making accessibility an essential component of the customer experience. », says Mostafa Karam, Divisional Senior Vice President, Customer Affairs and Service Audit at Emirates.
A Lounge Suite for Première Classe lounges
The Suite Lounge is derived from the Emirates Lounge Suites, launched in 2024 in the First Class lounges. It features a motorized chair with lifting assistance, support bars, and a transfer area for the wheelchair. This prototype is initially aimed at First Class. It could then be extended to other classes. Furthermore, at Dubai Terminal 3 (DXB), the cameras on the biometric gates now adjust their height and angle. The check-in desks also include voice synthesis, Braille, and headphone jacks.
Services already operational
Emirates also operates 10 Mercedes Class V vehicles adapted for wheelchair users in Dubai. The service is aimed at First and Business Class passengers who are eligible for a chauffeur. On board, the entertainment system offers more than 850 subtitled films for the deaf and hard of hearing and 200 audio-described films. Finally, becoming the first certified company to welcome people with autism in March 2025, Emirates has trained more than 35,000 employees. Its «Travel Simulations» have brought together more than 400 families in 80 sessions, including in Paris and Nice.
