'It was awesome': Autism Aviators event gives autistic Islanders chance to experience air travel

Beth McCloskey said flying has always been a nerve-wracking experience for her so she worried about how her son might experience air travel.

Some of that fear was allayed on Saturday as she and her son boarded a plane at Charlottetown Alexander B. Campbell airport so he could fly for the first time.

“I’m a nervous flyer, and I do think it was probably as good for me as it was for Beau, but it was really enjoyable,” McCloskey said.

They were among the families who participated in Autism Aviators, an event organized by Air Canada, the Air Canada Foundation, Autism P.E.I. and the Charlottetown Airport Authority.

The event gave autistic Islanders and their families a chance to experience the airport process, including checking in, going through security and boarding a plane, before taking a 45-minute flight over P.E.I.

Beau told The Guardian that his favourite part of the flight was seeing the Island from above.

“It was awesome,” he said.

When asked what he enjoyed most, he said, “Seeing all of that island from the sky.”

He was also asked if he would do it again.

“Absolutely,” he said.

McCloskey said ahead of the event, she had been hesitant to fly with her son, worried about how Beau would react to flying.

“I felt so proud of Beau, because I was always so nervous to fly, and he wasn’t nervous at all, and he was so excited,” she said.

Those attending Saturday’s event even got to experience the edginess that comes when there is a delay when things got behind schedule.

“And now I know that if we were in that situation in another airport, then he would handle it very well,” she said.

McCloskey said the experience has made her more comfortable with the idea of travelling by air with her son in the future.

Kerianne Wilson, Air Canada’s director of customer accessibility, said the Autism Aviators event was designed to help autistic children and their families become familiar with flying.

She said airports can be stressful because of the noise, crowds, bright lights and long waiting times.

Some autistic children may also find it difficult to sit still or follow instructions during a flight.

Wilson said the practice flight allowed families to experience these situations without worrying about missing a flight or losing money on a planned trip.

She said the airline tried to make the experience as close as possible to a regular flight.

Families went through the normal check-in and security process before boarding an Air Canada Rouge Airbus A319.

They also followed the same safety rules as passengers on a regular flight.

“We’re not skipping any steps because that doesn’t do the customers any favours,” Wilson said.

She said many families who participate in these events have never flown together before because they are unsure how their children will respond.

Wilson said the response from families has been positive, and some have gone on to book flights after taking part in similar events.

Saturday’s flight was Air Canada’s sixth such event in Canada this year, with two more planned before the end of 2026.

Maria VanKampen, manager of marketing and passenger experience with the Charlottetown Airport Authority, said the airport has organized Autism Aviators events with the Autism Society of P.E.I. in previous years.

She said those events usually involve taking families through security and into the boarding area. Sometimes, families were also able to explore a plane parked at the airport.

VanKampen said the airport worked with the Autism Society to help families register and prepare for the event.

McCloskey was grateful for the low-stakes chance to experience flying.

“To have these opportunities to do these things with our children is really important,” she said.

• Stay informed: Don’t miss the news you need to know. Sign up for our newsletter today.

Vivian Ulinwa is a reporter for The Guardian in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached at vulinwa@postmedia.com and followed on X @vivian_ulinwa.