Emirates has officially unveiled its interactive stand at the 8th edition of AccessAbilities Expo – the region’s leading event for accessibility & inclusive innovation, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre.
The exhibition was officially opened by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group and patron of the AccessAbilities Expo.
The Emirates exhibition revealed several innovative and future-focused ideas currently in development.
These include a cabin familiarization concept being explored for customers who are blind or have low vision, an accessible lounge suite for customers with reduced mobility, as well as biometric boarding gates for customers with accessible travel requirements.
Comment came from Mostafa Karam, Divisional Senior Vice President of Customer Affairs and Service Audit at Emirates.
He said, “Emirates’ ambition is to help shape a more inclusive future for aviation as part of the core customer experience.
“We are looking beyond individual services and working with our partners to consider accessibility across the complete journey, from planning and the airport environment to the onboard experience and across destinations.
“Guided by customer insight and lived experience, our focus is on practical improvements that reduce barriers, expand choice, and enable people to travel with greater clarity, confidence, independence, and dignity.”
On the Emirates stand, visitors can see and experience the Emirates Biometric Path.
In Emirates’ hub of Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB), accessible boarding gates are equipped with a barrier-free design and biometrics that allow for smooth, independent movement for passengers with disabilities.
The area now features flexible camera coverage, meaning that the cameras can self-adjust to heights and angles without restricting or dictating person’s movement if they are in a wheelchair.
The Emirates self-service check-in kiosks have also been improved, with text-to-speech functionality, improved touchscreen usability, Braille and tactile features, audio accessibility through a headphone connection, and height-adjustable interfaces that support a wider range of passenger needs.
Emirates also showcased a new, dedicated wheelchair-accessible quiet area that offers customers with reduced mobility a comfortable and private space to rest and recharge before their flight.
Emirates Lounge Suites provide customers with private space to relax, work, and dine in complete comfort and were first introduced to First Class Lounges in 2024.
Drawing on the Emirates ground and inflight experience, they pair premium design with integrated technology – wireless charging and entertainment screens.
Emirates also showcased a new, dedicated wheelchair-accessible quiet area that offers customers with reduced mobility a comfortable and private space to rest and recharge before their flight.
Emirates Lounge Suites provide customers with private space to relax, work, and dine in complete comfort and were first introduced to First Class Lounges in 2024. Drawing on the Emirates ground and inflight experience, they pair premium design with integrated technology – wireless charging and entertainment screens.
The Accessible Lounge Suite is the next evolution of this concept. Designed to support passengers who use wheelchairs, passengers with reduced mobility, older travellers, and anyone who may benefit from additional comfort, transfer space or postural support while keeping the privacy and premium quality of the original suite.
Finished with the latest Emirates lounge palette of wood, leather and marble finishes, the suite integrates accessibility into the design including a powered lift recliner with uplift, swivel, and recline functions, and integrated grab bars for enhanced support and independence.
The lounge suite also has a dedicated wheelchair storage with accessible transfer space, for customers to relax independently or with the support of a companion. The prototype is currently being developed for First Class with the potential for other classes in the future.
