What if your first experience at an airport wasn't on the day of your flight? That's the idea behind Future Flyers, a new Sydney Airport program that helps high school students with disability become familiar with the airport experience before they travel.

Building confidence before take-off

For many young people with disabilities, travelling through an airport can feel daunting. From check-in and security screening to finding the right gate, there can be a lot of unfamiliar sights, sounds and processes.

To help prepare local high school students for travel, Sydney Airport has launched a new program called Future Flyers. It gives students the chance to experience these steps in a supportive environment, helping them feel more prepared and confident for future travel. The program can be tailored to the needs of each group and can be adapted to different accessibility and sensory requirements.

The hands-on nature of the program resonated with both students and teachers, giving participants the opportunity to experience real airport procedures in a supportive, low-pressure environment. One teacher described receiving a boarding pass and moving through the customs process as a particular highlight, saying they

"loved the part where we all got a boarding pass to use for customs."

A day at the airport

During our inaugural Future Flyer tour , students from a local high school support unit, explored Sydney Airport's T1 International Terminal and followed the same journey taken by passengers heading off on a flight.

The group practised checking in for a flight, received mock boarding passes from Qantas, passed through security screening and explored the boarding gates, all while learning what to expect on the day of a future trip.

For student Nathaniel, seeing the airport in action was a highlight.

"I liked learning and seeing how the people get on the two-storey planes. I know how to get around the airport now," he said.

Students also had the opportunity to visit Sydney Airport's Quiet Room and learn about some of the accessibility supports available to travellers.

Learning about available support services left a lasting impression on students.

"I liked wearing the sunflower lanyard and now I know where to go to see security guards," said Lachlan, reflecting on the confidence gained through understanding the airport's accessibility and support features.

Bringing the experience to life

A key part of the tour was the support provided by airport partners who help travellers every day.

Working alongside Sydney Airport, teams from Qantas, Australian Border Force and Certis Security helped students experience each step of the airport journey in a safe and supportive environment.

Students practised checking in for a flight with Qantas, learnt more about the security screening process with Certis, and gained an insight into international travel procedures with Australian Border Force agents. By meeting the people behind these important roles and asking questions along the way, students were able to build familiarity with processes that can often feel unfamiliar or overwhelming.

For Lachlan, the hands-on experience brought the airport journey to life.

"I liked the Future Flyers tour and catching the big bus for transport. I liked booking in and getting a ticket and watching the planes leave," he said.

The experience helped bring the airport journey to life, giving students the opportunity to practise real-world travel skills while building confidence for future adventures.

Looking ahead

Future Flyers is part of Sydney Airport's ongoing commitment to creating a more accessible and inclusive experience for travellers. Alongside initiatives such as sensory maps, social stories, quiet rooms and the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, Future Flyers helps make air travel more accessible for young people with disability and their families.

While no one boarded a plane during this Future Flyer tour, students left with a better understanding of how airports work and the confidence that comes from knowing what to expect when they do travel in the future.

Interested in becoming a Future Flyer?

Schools located within Sydney Airport's local area can contact community@syd.com.au to learn more about eligibility and upcoming tour opportunities.