BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The 9th Autism in Flight took place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) from 10 AM to 2:30PM to offer Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) students with autism and their families a simulated travel experience to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. 

Following weeks of in-class lessons on airport travel, more than 50 students from seven BCPS elementary schools and family members had the opportunity today to get real-life practice of airport interactions in Terminal 3, such as airline check-in, security screening, boarding/deplaning a flight and luggage retrieval at the baggage claim carousel.

Guest speakers at a short ceremony to officially kick-off the event were Dr. Howard Hepburn, BCPS Superintendent; Debra Hixon, BCPS School Board Vice Chair Countywide At-Large Seat 9; Sean Billings, JetBlue Airways FLL Director, and Celina Saucedo, Chief Administrative Officer, Broward County Aviation Department (BCAD).  

The goal of Autism in Flight is to help prepare children with autism to handle air travel by acclimatizing them in advance to the sights, sounds, and procedures of the airport experience. Through this mock experience, future plane trips for these children and their families can be more relaxed and less stressful.

Before taxiing on the tarmac for 'take-off' to Puerto Vallarta, Autism in Flight participants were taken through onboard flight protocols such as fastening seat belts and other pre-flight instructions. Upon returning to the gate, a celebratory water salute welcomed them back to FLL.

Participating schools in this year's Autism in Flight program were Coral Park Elementary, Dania Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Mirror Lake Elementary, Norcrest Elementary, Silver Lakes Elementary, and Wilton Manors Elementary. 

Autism in Flight launched in May 2013 as a partnership between BCAD/FLL, JetBlue, BCPS, and the Transportation Security Administration. Other contributing partners include the Broward County Commission, Broward Sheriff's Office, and concessionaire Delaware North. The program went on hiatus in 2022 and 2021 due to the pandemic. 

About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
In 2023, FLL served 35.1 million passengers. Pre-pandemic, the airport generated $37.5 billion in economic activity annually and nearly 18,000 direct, local jobs.  FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. The Aviation Department, FLL's operator, is a self-supporting agency of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners that does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. The department also operates North Perry Airport, a general aviation facility for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on X, like us on Facebook, or visit fll.net.

April 17, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Arlene Satchell, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
954-359-6116
asatchell@broward.org