Warwick, RI – April 29, 2025 – In honor of World Autism Acceptance Month, Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) will host its second practice boarding event, “Autism Flies,” in partnership with Breeze Airways and Autism Double-Checked (ADC) on April 29, 2025. The program allows participants to practice the travel experience at the airport before an actual flight, helping families and individuals better navigate the challenges that come with new situations. PVD hosted its first event, in partnership with Breeze Airways and ADC, in October 2024, with many of those families returning for the upcoming event.
Those registered for the event arrive at the airport before their “flight,” enter the terminal, collect their boarding passes at the ticket counter, and proceed through the security screening process before arriving at the gate area to await boarding. When called, participants board the aircraft, find their seats, fasten seat belts, listen to the onboard announcements, enjoy the “in-flight” snack service, and then finally deplane, with the prospect of booking a real trip in the future.
Leading up to these events, the Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) has begun facilitating ADC’s “Autism Aware” training, which teaches special needs sensitivity training. RIAC will then proceed to ADC’s “Autism Ready” training, which provides further job-specific information and educates staff on how best to assist neurodivergent travelers when different situations arise. By helping to promote “non-judgmental, well-informed staff” and providing information to families considering air travel, RIAC seeks to better anticipate the challenges families of individuals on the autism spectrum may face while traveling.
“An airport is more than just a transit hub; it’s a place where inclusivity takes flight. By participating in these boarding events, we are not only ensuring smoother journeys for individuals who are neurodivergent, but also setting a standard of kindness, understanding, and accessibility that should be the foundation of every travel experience” said Iftikhar Ahamad, President & CEO of RIAC.
Breeze Airways service staff and crews are also certified by ADC, which offers training designed to make autism inclusion simple across various sectors of the travel industry, including airports, airlines, hotels, tour operators, and travel agents. The company is based in Connecticut and was started in 2015 by two travel industry professionals who specialize in autism awareness training and are also parents of special-needs children.
“We applaud PVD and RIAC’s ongoing efforts to improve the travel experience for neurodivergent individuals and their families, considering that navigating an airport is one of the most challenging parts of the travel journey,” said Alan Day, the Founder and CEO of Autism Double-Checked. “ADC looks forward to PVD’s continued progress towards becoming ‘Autism Aware’-certified and appreciates the airport hosting our upcoming boarding event. We can’t think of a better way to close out Autism Awareness Month.”
Aviation entrepreneur and Breeze Airways founder, David Neeleman, initiated a training program for frontline Team Members on delivering a safe and happy travel experience to individuals with autism. By operating out of underserved airports, Breeze Airways, the premium leisure carrier offering affordable nonstop service across the U.S., seeks to provide a more pleasant travel experience for all and is pleased to extend its caring service to the autism community.
“Breeze is all about making travel more accessible and enjoyable for all guests,” Neeleman said. “With programs such as these, our commitment is to offer kindness and care to all, doing everything we can to make everyone’s travel experience the best it can be. We are grateful to our partners at ADC and PVD for making this event possible.”
To learn more about Autism Flies events, please visit: https://autismchecked.com/autism-flies/.
About the Rhode Island Airport Corporation: The Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) was formed on December 9, 1992, as a semi-autonomous subsidiary of the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation to operate and maintain the state’s airport system. The corporation’s powers are vested in its seven-member board of directors appointed by the governor. RIAC is responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the six state-owned airports and supervising all civil airports, landing areas, navigation facilities, aviation schools, and flying clubs. In addition to Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport, RIAC is responsible for five general aviation airports throughout the state: Block Island, Newport, North Central, Quonset, and Westerly. For more information, visit RIAC at https://www.flyri.com.
About Autism Double-Checked (ADC): Autism Double-Checked believes that travel should be available for everyone, including individuals and families impacted by autism. To create this reality, ADC provides online autism awareness training and certification programs that have been specifically designed to make autism inclusion simple and profitable for all segments of the travel industry, including airlines, hotels, tour operators and travel agents. Based in Connecticut, the organization was founded in 2015 by two lifetime travel professionals and leading experts on traveling with autism who are also parents to special needs children. Most families with an autistic child avoid taking family vacations due to concerns about their child’s reaction to all the unfamiliar stimuli they will confront outside of their routine ‘comfort bubble’ at home. Autism Double-Checked works with its travel industry partners to ensure training and resources are in place to give this travel segment confidence that they are included and welcomed as travelers. For more information, visit www.autismchecked.com.
About Breeze Airways: Breeze Airways operates more than 275 year-round and seasonal routes to 70 cities in 31 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze took flight in May 2021 bringing premium air service to secondary markets on its flagship fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Breeze has been named a top 5 “Best Domestic Airline” by Travel + Leisure for three consecutive years and was named “Best Seat Comfort in North America” by Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) in 2024. Breeze was the first U.S. domestic airline to be certified by Autism Double Checked and is the official airline of Make-a-Wish Utah. With seamless booking, friendly policies, and customized booking options, Breeze makes it easy to buy and Seriously Nice™ to fly. For more information, visit www.flybreeze.com.
Media Contacts:
Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport
Bill Fischer [email protected] 401-862-4652
Breeze Airways Corporate Communications
[email protected] (801) 436-3984
Autism Double Checked
Matt Harrison [email protected]
