October 2025
Wings for Autism Returns to PHX
The Arc of Arizona, in partnership with Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and the Transportation Security Administration hosted the 10th annual Wings for Autism event on Oct. 3.
This popular event gives children with autism and their families the opportunity to experience the travel process from checking in, going through security to boarding a plane. Afterwards, they enjoy games and goodies before boarding an airliner and taxiing around the airfield.
Airport and airline employees learn from the experience too as they get the opportunity to better understand how to accommodate individuals with autism.
The goal is to help lessen the stress children with an intellectual or development disability and their families may experience when traveling by air.
The PHX version of Wings for Autism is one of the largest of its kind in the country. This year, about 300 individuals from more than 85 families registered to attend.