Cognitive and Invisible Disabilities

Cognitive and invisible disabilities

We want everyone to enjoy traveling, but we know flying can be stressful. So, we’ve gathered all our best tips, tricks and advice for traveling if you’re neurodiverse or if you have a cognitive disability.

Planning your trip

When you’re planning your trip and buying your tickets, there are a few steps you can take to help make sure you have the best experience possible.

Buying your tickets

We recommend taking a non-stop flight whenever possible. That way you spend less time at the airport and on the plane.

When you’re ready to buy your tickets, you can let us know that you or someone who is traveling with you has a disability. This information lets us prepare to offer help at the airport or during your flight.

There are 3 ways you can give us this info:

During booking when you give us all travelers’ names and information

After booking in My trips where you edit traveler information

During check-in when you’re confirming traveler information

There are 3 ways you can give us this info:

During booking when you give us all travelers’ names and information

After booking in My trips where you edit traveler information

During check-in when you’re confirming traveler information

Getting ready

We have some resources you can use to get ready for your trip.

Social story

We’ve created a social story for people with invisible disabilities and those who find flying stressful.

Learn more

Identification

Learn more about the types of ID you’ll need to fly depending on your age and destination.

Types of ID

Boarding

Read an outline of the boarding process, including how the group numbers work.

Boarding process

You might also consider practicing for your trip. Wings for Autism®actually lets families rehearse the entire flying process. This includes getting a boarding pass, going through security and boarding the plane.

Traveler pro tip

Traveler pro tip

There are resources that can help you plan and prepare for your trip. Our Accessibility Desk is also here to help at 1-313-234-6992.

At the airport

Our biggest piece of advice for any traveler is to allow yourself plenty of time at the airport. There are many things you may have to do before your flight and you don’t want to rush.

Our airport services

We can help you with:

Checking your bags

Finding your gate

Checking your flight status

Boarding the plane

We can help you with:

Checking your bags

Finding your gate

Checking your flight status

Boarding the plane

Traveler pro tip

Traveler pro tip

If you need help at any point on your journey, ask a United agent. We know there are a lot of different kinds of cognitive disabilities, invisible disabilities and neurodiversity—and your needs are unique to you. So, you must clearly state what kind of help you need.

Going through security

Going through security

Everyone, including travelers with disabilities, must go through security screening at the airport. In the U.S. the TSA has a program for travelers with disabilities called TSA Cares. If you submit a TSA Cares request, you’ll be assigned a TSA Passenger Support Specialist (PSS) who is trained to help people with disabilities through security. Canada has a similar program as well.

On the plane

On the plane

We can help you with:

Getting to and from your seat

Accessing your carry-on bags

Opening food packages and drinks

We can help you with:

Getting to and from your seat

Accessing your carry-on bags

Opening food packages and drinks

We will not assist you in the bathroom, with medication or feed you.

If you’re unable to follow crew instructions or understand the safety briefing at the beginning of your flight, you’ll need to fly with a family member, friend or caregiver who can help you.

Traveler pro tip

Traveler pro tip

We recommend bringing items that help your anxiety with you on the plane. This includes fidget toys, noise-reducing headphones, stress puddy and other similar things.

If you’re traveling with kids, our Children’s Travel Kit includes a sensory calming strip. Ask a flight attendant to see if one is available on your flight.

Cognitive and invisible disability FAQ