Flying can be overwhelming, especially when travelling with autism, ADHD, sensory needs, mobility difficulties, hidden disabilities, medical conditions or additional support needs. The good news is that the special assistance at London Stansted Airport is designed to make your journey smoother, calmer and much less stressful.
Whether you need help getting through security, support with long queues, a quieter airport experience or mobility assistance from check-in to the aircraft, this guide covers what to expect and how to arrange it.
Quick Wins For Using Special Assistance at London Stansted
- Book special assistance with your airline at least 48 hours before travel
- Ask for DPNA support if your child has autism or hidden disabilities
- Collect a free Sunflower Lanyard from Assistance Reception in Zone A
- Use the assistance lane at security if queues are difficult
- Consider a “Try Before You Fly” visit if airport anxiety is high
- Arrive early so there is time for support without rushing
Who Special Assistance is For
Special assistance is not only for wheelchair users, it is for anyone who needs to have some extra support at the airport so they can travel safely and comfortably.
You can request help if you or your child has:
- Autism
- ADHD
- Sensory processing difficulties
- Anxiety around airports or flying
- Hidden disabilities
- Learning disabilities
- Mobility difficulties
- Chronic pain or fatigue
- Visual or hearing impairments
- Dementia
- Medical conditions that make airport navigation difficult
If queues, crowds, waiting, noise or transitions are difficult, special assistance can make a huge difference. I have a guide that breaks down who can use special assistance and the types of accommodations that you can ask for.
How to Book Special Assistance at London Stansted
At Stansted Airport (London), assistance must be booked through your airline or travel agent, not directly with the airport. You can also use the PRM Assist app to make a service request for help at Stansted Airport. I have a seperate guide to walk you through the PRM Assist app and what it does. I would recommend you always call or speak with the airline about your needs in the first instance and use PRM Assist as a backup or to track assistance bookings.
The airport advises booking at least 48 hours before your flight so your details can be passed to the Assisted Travel Team. This gives the team plenty of time to arrange the exacty type of help you need at Stansted Airport. At Stansted Airport, special assistance is provided by ABM Aviation and you can use their email contact to get in touch with them about special assistance at Stansted.
Contact ABM Aviation: emailusforconfidence@ABM.com
When booking, explain exactly what support is needed. For example:
- help through security
- support with waiting areas
- assistance boarding the aircraft
- help managing sensory overload
- support for a non-speaking child
- wheelchair assistance
- reduced walking distances
- extra time during airport processes
Airports and airlines use a set of universal (almost univeral, they are used by all airlines who are IATA members) codes to categorise a passengers disability and the type of support they will need. My guide to airport and airline disability codes lists all of the disability codes and explains what they mean so you can be sure they right service request is added to your booking. If your child is autistic, using the DPNA code can also help flag non-visible disabilities and assistance needs. If you are new to the DPNA code, readying my guide to the DPNA code explains what it is and who should use it when they travel.
On The Day With Stansted Airport Special Assistance
When you arrive at the airport, head to the Assisted Travel reception area or designated assistance desk. You can find the location of the assistance desk at Stansted Airport on their interactive terminal map.
The team can help with:
- check-in support
- baggage drop guidance
- security assistance
- escorting you through the terminal
- boarding support
- arrival assistance after landing
- support during connections if needed
If you did not pre-book, the airport says you can still go to the landside assistance desk and staff will help where possible.
Sunflower Lanyard Scheme
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower is fully recognised at Stansted.
Wearing a Sunflower Lanyard discreetly tells staff that you or your child has a hidden disability and may need additional support. Staff are trained to recognise this and offer help.
You can collect a free lanyard from:
- Assistance Reception in Zone A
- Information Desk in International Arrivals
You do not need to pre-book a lanyard, and if you already have one from another UK airport, you can use the same one. You can also use one you purchase directly through the Sunflower Lanyard website.
Important note: the lanyard does not automatically give Fast Track security access, but if using the assistance lane would help, speak to a member of staff at security.
You can learn more about the Sunflower Lanyard in my guide to using the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities.
Stansted Airport Disabled Security Support
Security can often be the hardest part for autistic individuals. Organising support through airport security at Stansted can be really helpful with managing the overwhelm.
At Stansted, staff can support with:
- quieter explanations of the process
- additional time
- private hand searches if preferred
- support for assistance dogs
- help using the assistance lane instead of standard queues
If a private search would make things easier, simply ask a security officer. To learn more about the security process at Stansted Airport if you have a disability you can check out the Stansted Airport webpage for assistance at security.
Try Before You Fly at Stansted Airport
The Try Before You Fly initiative is one of the best features for nervous travellers.
Stansted runs “Try Before You Fly” events where families can visit the airport before travel day and become familiar with:
- check-in
- security
- walking routes
- waiting areas
- boarding procedures
These sessions are especially popular for autistic children, neurodivergent travellers and newly disabled passengers. The airport notes these visits are personalised and usually last around an hour.
This can massively reduce airport anxiety.
Dementia and Additional Hidden Disability Support
Stansted is also recognised as an Inclusive Dementia Community Airport, with over 1,000 staff trained in dementia awareness and improved signage for easier navigation.
This can also benefit many autistic travellers who prefer clear visual guidance and predictable routes.
Stansted Airport has a really useful page on their website about assisted travel and it links out to many more specific guides covering difference aspects of travelling with a disability through the airtport.
My Best Advice for Families Travelling With Autistic Children
Even with special assistance booked, I always recommend:
- bringing familiar snacks
- using noise defenders
- carrying comfort items
- packing backup entertainment
- explaining airport steps with visuals beforehand
- using the Sunflower Lanyard
- arriving earlier than you think you need to
Special assistance helps, but preparation helps even more.
London Stansted Airport is one of the better UK airports for hidden disability support, especially for autism families.
Between the Sunflower Lanyard scheme, security support, assistance lanes and Try Before You Fly visits, there are practical ways to make the airport much less overwhelming.
You do not need to struggle through the airport alone.
Ask for the help. Use the support. Travel should be accessible for your whole family.
Continue Planning Your England Trip With Kids
- Start with the right base for your child’s needs
- Use transport that feels predictable and manageable
- Choose activities based on sensory comfort, not popularity
- Prepare visually to reduce surprises
For more, head to our England archive to find every post covering England.
Plan Your Trip To London via A Different Airport
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip to The UK
- Planning a Scottish adventure? Read my guides to Scotland with autistic children, including practical tips for visiting the Scottish Borders with neurodivergent kids.
- Heading south? Consider visiting Berwick-upon-Tweed or Holy Island with kids
- Exploring Northern Ireland with kids? Find ideas for family days out, travel logistics and accessible travel planning.
- Confused by British money? Learn the difference between English and Scottish bank notes before your trip to the UK.
- Bringing prescription medication to Britain? Read my guide to bringing medication into the UK, including controlled medicines and travel documentation.
Continue Planning Your Europe Travel Itinerary With Children
- Start with planning your overall Europe family trip, including flights, transport, pacing and choosing destinations that suit your child’s needs
- Looking for an easier first-time Europe destination? Consider visiting Denmark with kids for organised cities, reliable transport and family-friendly attractions
- Prefer beaches and slower-paced travel? Find out more about Greece with children for island stays, outdoor dining and flexible family days out
- Planning big city adventures? Discover what to expect in Paris with autistic children, including transport, attractions and sensory considerations
- Want scenic train journeys and nature? Learn more about Switzerland with autistic children for mountain views, calm towns and predictable travel routines
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With Autistic Children
- Find out about the help available if you are travelling through an airport
- Find links to all of my airport guides for disabled travellers
- Discover whether a cruise with an autistic child would work for your family
- Find out how to make travelling with ADHD manageable
- Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard
- Check out guides to all of the different destinations we have travelled to with autistic children
- Learn step-by-step how to set up the accessibility feature on Google maps
- Learn more about our favourite sensory toys for travelling
- Discover an app that helps you locate a playground anywhere in the world
- Always alerted at the last minute that the little one needs a toilet? Find a toilet anywhere with this app
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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