The resoundingly positive feedback we received following our fifth Autism Flies event at Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT last month reminds us why we started Autism Double-Checked and the impact we continue to have on members of the autism community.
In the days following the event, we heard directly from participants and families through a survey — and the results speak for themselves.
100% of respondents said they would “definitely recommend” an Autism Flies event to another family, and over 87.5% said they felt more confident about future air travel after attending. The results reinforce how meaningful preparation, practice, and supportive environments can be in helping travel feel possible for autistic individuals and their families.
Families highlighted the “authentic experience,” “strong support of all the volunteers,” “clear communication,” and “so much positivity across the board” as some of the most meaningful parts of the event, with one participant describing “such a warm, friendly atmosphere for those who need more patience.”
That is exactly what Autism Flies is designed to do: help families move at their own pace and celebrate each step forward as a meaningful milestone. By going through the full airport experience, families can better understand how their loved ones might respond on a real travel day.
As one parent put it, “Practicing the entire process let us see what our child can do and where he still needs practice.” For many, the event also created something just as valuable: an actual memory to reflect on and talk about when preparing for future travel.
This feedback reflects the enormous trust families place in ADC and reinforces that accessible, confidence-building travel practice matters because it works.
We’re deeply grateful to every individual who participated, and to our incredible partners at Bradley International Airport, Breeze Airways, and the many volunteers who made this event possible.
Together, we’re helping make air travel more accessible, inclusive, and achievable for autistic travelers and their families.
Families interested in future Autism Flies events can learn more and join our waitlist here: https://autismchecked.com/autism-flies/
