Travelling through a busy airport can be challenging when you or someone in your family has a disability or condition that is not immediately visible.
The Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard is designed to discreetly indicate to airport staff that you may need a little extra time, patience, understanding or assistance during your journey. It can be helpful for autistic passengers and people with ADHD, anxiety, sensory processing differences, learning disabilities, dementia and a wide range of other non-visible disabilities and health conditions.
Wearing the lanyard does not automatically provide special assistance or priority access, but it can make it easier for staff to recognise that you may need additional support without having to repeatedly explain your needs.
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If you are planning a wider trip to Scotland you can start your research in my Scotland with autistic children guide.
Is There a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard?
Yes. Glasgow Airport participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme and offers a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard for passengers with non-visible disabilities. The lanyard can help discreetly indicate that you may need a little more time, patience or understanding while travelling through the airport.
The airport’s version is still a standard Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. It features the familiar green background with yellow sunflowers, with Glasgow Airport branding incorporated into part of the design. It is not a separate scheme or a different type of assistance lanyard.
Does Glasgow Airport Recognise Sunflower Lanyards?
Yes. Glasgow Airport recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, and staff are trained to recognise it as an indication that a passenger may have a non-visible disability and could benefit from additional support, patience or understanding while travelling through the airport.
The lanyard can be particularly useful for autistic passengers and people with conditions that may not be immediately obvious to airport staff. For example, someone may find busy queues overwhelming, need extra time to process instructions, struggle with communication, become distressed by unexpected changes or need a family member or carer to provide additional support.
Wearing a Sunflower lanyard does not mean that you need to explain your diagnosis or personal circumstances to everyone you encounter. Instead, it provides staff with a discreet visual indication that there may be a reason why you need a little more time or assistance.
It is important to remember that the Sunflower lanyard is not the same as booking Special Assistance. Wearing one does not automatically provide priority security, queue skipping, wheelchair assistance or an escort through the airport. If you need specific assistance with getting through the airport, boarding your flight or managing mobility equipment, you should arrange Special Assistance separately through your airline before you travel.
For many families travelling with an autistic child, however, simply having a recognised way to indicate a hidden disability can make navigating the airport feel a little easier.
Where Can You Get A Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard?
You can collect a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard free of charge from the Assisted Travel Host Desk in the main check-in area on the day you travel. This means you do not need to purchase a lanyard before arriving at the airport.
Once you have collected your lanyard, you can wear it throughout your journey through Glasgow Airport to discreetly let staff know that you or someone you are travelling with has a non-visible disability and may benefit from additional understanding, patience or support.
It is worth allowing a little extra time before check-in or security to collect the lanyard, particularly if this is your first time using one. You can also speak to the Assisted Travel team at the desk if you have questions about other support available at the airport or have booked Special Assistance for your journey.
You can keep and reuse your lanyard on your next visit to Glasgow Airport.
Can Children Wear A Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard?
Yes. Children with hidden disabilities, including autistic children, can wear a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard. It offers a discreet way to let airport staff know they may need a little extra time, patience or understanding. Parents and carers should still arrange special assistance in advance if practical support is required.
If your child finds the lanyard uncomfortable, you can wear it on their behalf or you can look on the Sunflower Lanyard website for an alternative like wristband or wrist strap.
Can You Bring Your Own Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard?
Yes. If you already own an official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, you can use it at Glasgow Airport.
You do not need to collect a Glasgow Airport branded version unless you would prefer one. If you require special assistance, the airport advises passengers to visit the Assisted Travel Host Desk even if they already have their own Sunflower lanyard.
I have a guide which breaks down what special assistance is like at Glasgow Airport and another guide to the disabled facilities at Glasgow Airport.
A Sunflower Lanyard Does Not Replace Special Assistance
Wearing a Sunflower lanyard does not automatically book airport assistance.
If you need practical support through the airport, you should still arrange special assistance with your airline or travel provider before you travel.
Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard FAQs
Does Glasgow Airport offer a Sunflower Lanyard?
Yes. Glasgow Airport offers a co-branded Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard for passengers with non-visible disabilities. It features the familiar green sunflower design alongside Glasgow Airport branding and helps discreetly indicate that you may need a little extra support during your journey.
Where can I collect a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard?
You can collect a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard from the Assisted Travel or Special Assistance desk on the ground floor of the main check-in area before your flight. If you’re unsure where to go, airport staff can direct you to the correct location.
Can I use my own Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard at Glasgow Airport?
Yes. If you already have an official Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard, you can continue to wear it when travelling through Glasgow Airport. Airport staff recognise the Sunflower scheme and are trained to support passengers with hidden disabilities.
Does wearing a Sunflower Lanyard give me priority at the airport?
No. A Sunflower Lanyard is intended to discreetly let staff know that you may need extra time, patience or understanding. It doesn’t provide priority access, fast-track security or special assistance automatically.
Do I still need to book special assistance if I wear a Sunflower Lanyard?
Yes. If you need help such as wheelchair assistance, support through the airport or assistance boarding your flight, you should still book special assistance with your airline or travel provider before you travel. The lanyard doesn’t replace these arrangements.
Who can use a Glasgow Airport Sunflower Lanyard?
The lanyard is designed for people with non-visible disabilities or conditions, including autism, ADHD, dementia, hearing loss, chronic pain, anxiety and many other conditions where a little extra understanding can make travelling easier. Wearing a lanyard is entirely optional and is a personal choice.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Scotland With Kids
- Start at the beginning with my guide to visiting Scotland with kids
- Learn more about travelling Scotland with a baby
- Starting in the capital? Learn more about visiting Edinburgh with kids
- Heading South? Read up on the Scottish Borders, Dumfries and Galloway and tackle my Scottish Borders bucketlist
- Heading North? Read up on Dunoon and the Isle of Lewis and Harris
Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip to The UK
- Ready to start planning your British adventure? Head to my UK with autistic children guide to find airport advice, transport options and so much more
- Planning a Scottish adventure? Read my guide for practical tips for visiting the Scottish Borders with neurodivergent kids.
- Heading south? My England with autistic children guide covers family-friendly destinations, sensory considerations and travel tips across England.
- 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
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Continue Planning Your Trip With Autistic Children
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- 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
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Continue Planning Your Accessible Trip With My Guides
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