Families Celebrate World Autism Day with Mock Flight at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

When 13-year-old Anthony Sanchez arrived at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sunday, he wanted to be prepared for each step of check in. No surprises, his mother said.

Anthony has autism and can be shy at the beginning of new experiences. Traveling through busy airports and waiting in crowds to board a flight can be overwhelming for her son, Jessie Sanchez said.

The family was one of more than 60 who visited DFW on World Autism Day for an American Airlines mock flight for children with disabilities.

Sanchez said Anthony was a little overwhelmed going through check-in and security, listening to TSA officers explain taking off his shoes and patiently waiting for his mom behind him. As the experience continued, Anthony became more comfortable and his personality started to come out as he greeted every flight attendant who approached him.

The first time Anthony traveled, he had a meltdown in the airplane bathroom because he was anxious about flying and eager to arrive at their destination, said Sanchez, who also works at American Airlines. She said it was challenging as a parent, because she didn’t want to bother other passengers around them.

“As a mom with a child with autism, it is sometimes really stressful to fly,” Sanchez said. “I think yesterday’s event helped him out and showed him how smoothly things can go and how busy things are.”

The goal of Sunday’s mock flight was for Anthony and other children to become more comfortable with the sensory experience of checking in and going through airport security, waiting for a flight in a crowded space and getting on the plane to taxi around the tarmac.

American Airlines began the program, It’s Cool to Fly, in 2014 and hosts the mock flight annually. The aircraft never lifts off the tarmac, but the pilots tell the children to prepare for takeoff as they speed up the aircraft.

Sanchez said the experience showed her that no two children with autism are the same. While some kids cheered and became excited at the nearly full plane going faster, others pointed out the window or became scared.

Everyone just wanted to help the children out, Sanchez said. The experience was important to her family, because she wants to make sure every child with a disability feels comfortable traveling, Sanchez said.

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