Flying High: The Fear and Hope of Plane Travel with Autism

Flying with my autistic teenager is both thrilling and terrifying. When she was younger, her struggles on a plane—like meltdowns or loud comments—were met with understanding nods or sympathetic glances. Now, as a teenager, it feels different. People expect her to act “appropriately,” and the fear of judgment is always looming.

Let me be clear: my daughter is a sweetheart. She’s not a danger to anyone, but an autistic meltdown at 30,000 feet can feel monumental. Planes are a sensory gauntlet: loud engines, unpredictable smells, cramped seats, temperature swings, crying babies. Add in her restless leg syndrome, and sitting still for hours becomes nearly impossible.

So far, we’ve kept our travel within the U.S. Some trips have been magical; others have ended in tears—both hers and mine. Still, I dream of taking her to places beyond our borders. I want to see her light up at new sights and experiences, to share the joy of discovering new cultures together.

Every flight is a gamble, and the fear never fully goes away. But with preparation, understanding, and a lot of hope, I’m determined to make these journeys happen. Autism may make travel challenging, but it doesn’t make it impossible. For now, I hold on to the dream of checking off destinations together, one flight at a time.