Solo travelling and Airports

Oh I see - that’s interesting- I tend to get on last and usually wait until almost everyone has boarded as I don’t like being on the plane and for me I am more comfortable this way as I avoid all the rush to get on and it’s quieter at end. I guess getting on at very start has a similar effect

I used to pay for priority boarding so I could get myself settled before everyone else got onto the plane...didn't even know I was autistic at the time!

Hi! I can’t say that I like travelling or flying but I have done so multiple times and it is doable! I actually think doing it solo is not a bad thing because at least when you are alone you don’t need to watch out for other people’s needs and can just focus on doing what is best for you. I like to be prepared when I travel- so I always check in online in advance (if this is possible for your flight) and I download the boarding pass onto my phone and I also always print a copy as it just makes me feel safer (eg. What if my phone runs out of power or I loose it or it breaks). I always worry about forgetting boarding pass and passport so I tend to check multiple times that I’ve got them and I tend to put them together in a safe but easily accessible place in my hand luggage. I don’t know how you are getting to airport but I like to plan that well in advance too so that I know how I will get there and I plan in plenty of extra time in case something goes wrong. 

Airports can be quite overwhelming and busy places- I’m not the noise cancelling headphones type but if you like those it’s worth bring them. In general though I find that most airports have quite clear signs that tell you where to go and what to do. 

Make sure to check which terminal you need to go to if the airport has multiple so that you go to the correct place. 

I have a lot of issues with food and digestion so this is always a stress factor for me and I tend to pack my own food in the hand luggage (and/ or checkout what shops are present in airport and where though I will still back some backup). Just be careful to check the liquid rules for your airport. 

I like to have something to do for the waits and on plane so I like audiobooks and make sure to download those so that I can access plenty without wifi. I also like to bring a book and maybe some sudokus or something similar- personal preference of course. 

I have never tried wearing a sunflower laneyard but that sounds like a great idea! 

In terms of the fear of getting lost, I think the main thing is to check which terminal you need to go to in advance (if there are multiple- it usually says on ticket) and then there will be signs to point you to the bag drop place for your airline (if you are checking in a bag) . Then you need to look for the signs for security. And after that you just follow the signs and will need to wait for your gate to be shown. It’s shown on a board where all the flights are listed. Then just follow the signs to your gate and you made it! I generally find the signs are done reasonably well - the only time I ever got lost was when changing flights at Paris Gaulle airport but that was the exception and I have never witnessed such poor sign posting elsewhere and it was complicated by having to change flights so not coming in through standard route. But if you arrive in plenty of time there is nothing to worry about. If you do get lost, just show someone your ticket and they should be able to help you! No need to communicate much. It will be fine! 

have a good trip! 

So I personally love traveling solo, since I’ve been doing so to visit family since I was little, but without that muscle memory it can be intensely stressful. There are quiet rooms in some airports, and even when there’s not, there are tiny corners in most airports that are quieter, away from eateries and queues. Wear earplugs, noise cancelling everything, whatever comfort clothing you need, sunglasses or a hat or whatever you need. Pack your own snacks, have all your documents lined up, and be ready to pull them out at any moment. Keep an empty water bottle and bring silent fidgets, a book, download all audio and videos you might need: keep it as low pressure as possible. If that means you organize assistance to help you through the process, take advantage of it 100%. there are attendants stationed every little while, and if need be, wear a sunflower lanyard, placard, and you can let attendants know ahead of time when you arrive at the terminal so you get priority boarding.

 I’m from the states so stuff is quite different, but I hope this helps a little .

To remain calm and comfortable, I make sure I'm there in plenty of time so that I'm not rushing or panicked that I'm going to miss my flight. I have noise cancelling headphones and have a playlist/audiobook/podcast to listen to. You could also look for mobile games which work offline, or a puzzle book is a good one. I like planes though so I can happily sit looking out of the window in fascination once we're moving. I also grab a meal deal from duty free as airline food is extortionate, limited quantity and terrible.

Haven't travelled solo through an airport yet, but will be next year. I have travelled through with a sunflower lanyard in a group. I think the experience differs by airport, but here are some experiences I've had. In all of these cases, I never contacted the airport or airline beforehand, and have never had to prove any diagnosis. I'm still awaiting assessment for autism so my lanyard is for anxiety, which is supposedly vary rare to be diagnosed.

I arrived at the airport and met my group. There was a seating section with the sunflower logo, but I didn't use it.

We then proceeded down the queue barriers for check-in. There was a staff member at one of the barriers, who lowered the barrier and told our group "this way", a few seconds later and possibly because others in the group looked confused, he said "because of the lanyard". As with all of these interactions, he didn't look at what was on the card. He just saw the lanyard. I thanked him, and we joined a much shorted queue to the check-in desk. We were checked in within 5 minutes.

Then we went to security. This was Manchester Airport, which has signs with the sunflower on. There was a staff member at the assistance lane, but said sunflower lanyards were down the normal queue that day. Not sure why, but wasn't an issue, and the queue was fairly short anyway.

I believe Manchester Airport has quiet areas, but I didn't see sunflower logo, and didn't use them. I believe the location is mentioned on the website.

On a plane once, a flight attendant noticed the lanyard during the safety briefing. After the briefing finished, she cam over and just said "I noticed the lanyard, is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?" I replied that I was ok, and thanked her.

On return, passport control at Manchester, I believe they had the sunflower logo along with the family lane. At Newcastle I didn't see the sunflower logo so queue in the normal lane. When I got to the desk, they said I can use the assistance lane next time.

The sunflower lanyard has also been noticed while abroad. When I landed at Amsterdam Shipol, a staff member noticed the lanyard. There was a bit of a communication barrier, but with some "lanyard" hand signals, I was pointed to the smaller passport control queue. This was the first time using it so our group got split in the confusion. Me and a friend that followed beside me ended up in the shorter queue, got through passport control, and were half way through our beers before the other 2 members of the group caught up.

My nephew is diagnosed autistic and will often say about being able to get on the plane first. As my mum always points out to him, that just means you're stuck on the plane longer. Might depend on if your in a window seat if it's worth taking advantage of that or not.

When I last travelled solo I used assistance and found it was really useful. However, you book it through your airline, and mine only had 'learning disability' as the most related option. After a phone call with the airline clarified that yes that really is what you need to press, that's what I did. However, there were two versions, one to get you to the departure gate, and one to get you to the plane, but in both cases you get picked up from the plane.  I chose at the time to get me to the departure gate, but I was sufficiently overwhelmed by the sensory everything that in one case the woman taking another assistance user in a wheelchair onto the flight took me to as I was completely unable to talk and she clearly felt I needed the help. She was correct. 

So I completely recommend getting assistance, not sure I'd have gone at all otherwise, but check which version you are booking.

Thank you! I appreciate your advice :) 

Thank you! I appreciate your advice :) 

As already mentioned, most airports will allow you to book assistance as ASD is classified as a disability. Usually this is pre-booked with the airport rather than with the flight. It means your escort would navigate through the airport with you and make sure you get to your flight departure gate. If you don’t pre-book, you are unlikely to be assisted as there is often heavy demand. 

You may wish to book or request an aisle seat on the aeroplane so that you can stand up to stretch your legs or go to the loo without having to disturb the passenger seated beside you. It can also help avoid being squashed as people tend to stick their elbows in other people’s seat space. 

I think if you have the navigation process looked after for you, that would be one less thing to worry about and you could cope with the environment by using strategises such as ear plugs, earphones and music, fidget toy, slow breathing exercises etc.

I haven't flown on my own in quite a while, but I've done a few trips by myself where I had to get multiple connections and the like. It all went fine, nothing to report.

I don't have a fear of flying and I love looking out the window. Planes are way, way, wayyyy safer than cars. However, I find the whole airport and aeroplane thing to be such a PITA: it's slow, boring, uncomfortable, crowded, cramped, noisy, bright, smelly, etc. However, it's also very predictable. You know in advance exactly what it will be like; it's always the same, so there will be no big surprises. You can visualise it before time and prepare for it. I like to bring lots of little snacks, a good book and some music, and then tuck myself into a "quiet" corner near the gate to reduce the number of people moving around me. (Hiding out in a bathroom might also be a way to chill.)

The most recent time I flew (June), I wore NC headphones for the first time in the terminal building and on a plane and they were a great help. (I think I might wear a hat and use foam earplugs the next time for even better insulation against sights and sounds.) I sat on the terribly uncomfortable Ryanair 737 seat for three hours and was in my own little world (shifting from "cheek to cheek" to stop my legs going numb!)

So, where was I? Oh, yeah: nobody is saying that flying is pleasant, but its predictability makes it tolerable, even for us. You'll sail through the airport, get your seat on the plane, wonder how seats can be that uncomfortable, read a book/watch TV, get off at the other side, follow the crowd through the terminal, and escape to the fresh air. Done! Piece of cake!

You've got this!

Remember to change the time in phone / watch upon arrival (if it is different time band). Especially important if you have to change plane. (Often it is automatic if you connect to wifi etc. But always double check imho.)

You may want to print your fly-tickets, or have a power bank in case phone is misbehaving (doesnt help if you lose it). I prefer downloading it in my phone (or screenshot it) nowadays, but in the past preferred printed ones.

The other critical checks are: money and passport.

As for their support, some places are really kind, others less but all do their job.

I wish you the best for your journey. Enjoy as much as you can.

Hi Damojo, thank you for your reply and advice! It's been a over 5 years since I went on a flight and the last time wasn't a great experience. I'm also scared I'll have a panic attack and not be able to calm myself without my best friend. I wish I didn't have to travel alone. thank you again for your reply, it is very helpful :) 

Hi Lonehare, Thank you so much for your response and for your tips! Yes, I keep reminding myself that I will feel super proud of myself afterwards. thank you again! 

HiRavenWolf 

I did this quite recently and I felt pretty much the same.

• I was able to have just carry on luggage
• Got to the airport with time to spare
• As soon as I got to the airport did a little tour round and found the places I needed to be.
• Sunglasses, headphones, headache tablets and water.
• Find a comfy place and listen to music/audiobook 
• Most importantly my son wrote me a list of things to do and what order to do them in when I arrived at the airport, and it really made me feel safe and it worked.
• He made me one for the other side as well, but as he said you just sort of follow everyone else.

You're going to feel amazing when you've done this.

Have a lovely time.

I think for me I fear the flights more not becuase of accidents etc though I have a slight fear of if something does go wrong there’s no escape but that said it can be just as bad for that in any transport i guess?

I fear the being in a tight space for an hour 2 hours 3 hours etc espeicly with some of the videos ive seen of aggressive passengers and obviously it’s jot like a train where I can just get my bags and move seats 

If you've travelled on a plane with others, then it will be about the same, just more boring. Arrive early, so you can take your time, as that will ease the anxiety about getting lost (probably more than the waiting-around will cause it).

Bring a small rucksack with all your essentials (one you can store at your feet on the plane). Include safe foods, hand sanitiser, headphones, books, phone charger, stim toys, sunflower lanyard, tissues, wipes, small towel, etc. Find a nice corner to wait in near the gate. Do a bit of people-watching, or keep your head down (as you prefer). Something like a baseball cap might help you regulate your visual field. Don't forget to breathe if you feel a little anxious.

At the other end of your flight, just follow the crowd getting off your plane and you won't get lost.

Most airports provide assistance to travellers who have support needs. If you fear getting lost, ask to have someone guide you through the airport to your gate. This service doesn't just apply to people in wheelchairs. (You're looking into this already, but support should be available.) Some airports also have sensory rooms that you can book ahead of time and just hang out there while you wait.