Roberta Aguirre
The sunflower lanyard is a simple yet powerful tool that empowers individuals with hidden disabilities to travel more confidently and accessibly. Recognised at numerous airports and by several airlines worldwide, the lanyard serves as a discreet indicator that the wearer has a non-visible disability and may require additional support, understanding, or time. This initiative, pioneered by Gatwick Airport in 2016, has since been embraced by nearly 170 airports and multiple airlines, fostering a more inclusive and empathetic environment for travellers with invisible disabilities. The lanyard can typically be obtained for free at participating airports or institutions displaying sunflower posters or signs, making it a readily available resource for those who need it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To let people discreetly know that you, or someone with you, has a non-visible disability and may need extra help, understanding, or just more time |
| Who is it for? | People with hidden disabilities |
| Where to get it? | Participating airports, other participating institutions, or the official Hidden Disabilities store |
| Cost | Free at participating airports and institutions, small price at the official Hidden Disabilities store |
| Airlines that recognise the lanyard | British Airways, Air New Zealand, Turkish Airlines, Jetstar |
| Airports that recognise the lanyard | Manchester, Sydney, Fort Lauderdale, Singapore Changi, Calgary, JFK, Adelaide, Albury, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Gold Coast, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth, Shellharbour Airport, Toronto Pearson International, Vancouver International, Winnipeg Richardson International, Aberdeen, Belfast International, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, City of Derry, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Doncaster, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Exeter, Gatwick, Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick, Heathrow, Highlands and Islands, Humberside, Inverness, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, London City, London Southend, Luton, Manchester, Norwich, Newcastle, Southampton, Stansted, Stornoway, Sumburgh |
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What You'll Learn
How to get a sunflower lanyard at the airport
The sunflower lanyard is a simple yet powerful tool that enables people with hidden disabilities to travel more confidently and accessibly. It is a subtle visual cue that alerts airport and airline staff to the fact that a passenger may require additional assistance, understanding, or time. This initiative has been adopted by nearly 170 airports and several airlines worldwide, with the majority of UK airports included.
If you have a hidden disability and would like to obtain a sunflower lanyard at the airport, here is a step-by-step guide:
- Check if the airport you are departing from or arriving at recognises the sunflower lanyard. A list of participating airports can be found on the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower website.
- Once you have confirmed that the airport supports the initiative, simply ask the staff where you can pick up a lanyard. They will direct you to the designated office.
- When you go to collect your lanyard, have your flight itinerary ready to show the staff. This is to ensure that the lanyards are only given to passengers with legitimate travel plans.
- Wear the lanyard proudly! It is yours to keep for life, and it will help you discreetly communicate your needs to staff, making your travel experience more seamless and comfortable.
It is important to note that while the sunflower lanyard is a powerful tool, it does not guarantee expedited customs and border patrol. The level of assistance provided may vary depending on the airport and airline. However, by wearing the lanyard, you are more likely to receive understanding, patience, and any necessary support throughout your journey.
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Benefits of wearing a sunflower lanyard at the airport
The Sunflower Lanyard is a simple yet powerful tool that enhances accessibility and empowers individuals with hidden disabilities to travel confidently through airports and aboard airplanes. Here are some key benefits of wearing the Sunflower Lanyard at the airport:
Subtle Visual Cue for Assistance:
The bright yellow sunflower is easily recognizable by airport staff and acts as a discreet indicator that the wearer has a non-visible disability. This subtle cue helps staff identify passengers who may need extra help, understanding, or additional time during their journey.
Increased Accessibility:
At participating airports and on certain airlines, staff are trained to recognize the Sunflower Lanyard and provide assistance. This can include expedited security lines, as seen at Manchester and Sydney airports, or personalized support, such as helping with bag scans to alleviate anxiety or providing extra time during check-in and boarding.
Global Recognition:
The Sunflower Lanyard initiative has gained remarkable global traction, with nearly 170 airports across the world officially supporting it. This includes popular travel destinations like the United States, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, Iceland, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.
Airline Recognition:
Several airlines have joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower network and trained their staff to support passengers with non-visible disabilities. As of February 2024, 15 airlines recognize the lanyard, including Air France, Air New Zealand, British Airways, Emirates, Jetstar, and Turkish Airlines. Their flight crews are prepared to offer assistance and ensure a seamless travel experience.
Fostering Inclusion and Empathy:
The Sunflower Lanyard raises awareness about hidden disabilities and helps to create a more inclusive travel environment. It challenges the misconception that people with disabilities do not want to or cannot travel. By wearing the lanyard, individuals with hidden disabilities can feel more included and understood, as others become more empathetic and accepting of their needs.
The Sunflower Lanyard is a powerful symbol that is helping to transform the travel experience for individuals with hidden disabilities, ensuring they can navigate airports and airplanes with greater ease and confidence.
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Airlines that recognise the sunflower lanyard
The Sunflower Lanyard is a globally recognised customer service programme that helps travellers with non-visible disabilities to discreetly signal that they may need extra assistance. The aviation sector has been a huge supporter of the initiative, with just under 170 airports across the globe adopting it. The lanyard can be obtained for free at participating airports, and some airlines also recognise it.
British Airways was the first UK airline to partner with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative and train its entire workforce to support customers with non-visible disabilities. Air New Zealand has also joined the Sunflower network, with its Chief People Officer, Nikki Dines, emphasising their commitment to ensuring a seamless and less stressful travel experience for customers who need extra support. Turkish Airlines is another official supporter of the initiative, having trained 17,000 personnel to make aviation more accessible.
In addition to these airlines, Jetstar has also been recognised by travellers for its staff's awareness and support of the Sunflower Lanyard. Their flight crew has been trained to offer assistance to passengers wearing the lanyard.
While the Sunflower Lanyard does not guarantee expedited customs or security lines, some airports, like Manchester and Sydney, may offer faster processing. It is important to note that policies and procedures may vary across airlines and airports.
The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative continues to gain widespread acceptance, with a growing number of airports and airlines recognising and supporting the programme.
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Airports that recognise the sunflower lanyard
The sunflower lanyard is a simple way for people with non-visible disabilities to indicate that they may need extra help, understanding, or time. The lanyard is now recognised at many airports and by several airlines around the world.
The sunflower lanyard scheme was first launched at London's Gatwick Airport in 2016 and has since been adopted by almost 170 airports across the globe. As of July 2024, 215 airports recognised the lanyard, with another 39 in the process. By February 2023, this number had increased to 254 airports in 35 countries. The majority of UK airports are included in the 167 airports around the world that officially support the scheme.
Airports where the sunflower lanyard is recognised include:
- Adelaide
- Albury
- Brisbane
- Cairns
- Canberra
- Gold Coast
- Hobart
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Shellharbour Airport
- Sydney
- Calgary
- Comox Valley
- Edmonton International
- Fort McMurray International
- Hamilton International
- Kamloops
- Nanaimo
- Ottawa International
- Toronto Pearson International
- Vancouver International
- Winnipeg Richardson International
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- John C. Munro Hamilton International
- Palmerston North
- New Plymouth
- Belfast International
- Birmingham
- Bournemouth
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Cornwall Airport Newquay
- Doncaster
- East Midlands
- Edinburgh
- Exeter
- Gatwick
- Glasgow
- Glasgow Prestwick
- Fort Wayne International
- Gerald R. Ford International
- Green Bay-Austin Straubel International
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
- Houston
- Indianapolis International
- Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International
- Jacksonville International
- JFK International
- John Glenn Columbus International
- Kansas City
- King County International
- LaGuardia
- Lehigh Valley International
- Lincoln
- Los Angeles
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International
- Memphis International
- Miami International
- Milwaukee Mitchell International
- Minneapolis-St Paul International
- Missoula Montana
- Myrtle Beach International
- Nashville International
- Newark Liberty International
- Niagara Falls International
- Norfolk International
- Northwest Florida Beaches International
- Omaha Eppley Airfield
- Ontario International
- Orlando International
- Orlando Sanford International
- Palm Beach International
- Peoria International
- Philadelphia International
- Piedmont Triad International
- Billy Bishop Toronto
- Charlottetown Airport
- Fredericton International
- Grande Prairie
- Halifax Stanfield International
- Kelowna International
- Montréal Trudeau International
- North Peace Regional Northwest Regional Airport
- Regina International
- Saskatoon International
- Victoria International
- Akron-Canton
- Albany International
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- San José Mineta International Airport (SJC)
- Istanbul Airport
Airlines that recognise the sunflower lanyard and have trained their staff to support individuals with non-visible disabilities include:
- Jetstar
- Air New Zealand
- British Airways
- Turkish Airlines
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Experiences of wearing a sunflower lanyard at the airport
The Sunflower Lanyard is a simple yet powerful tool that enables people with hidden disabilities to discreetly signal their need for assistance while travelling through airports and on planes. By wearing the lanyard, individuals can indicate that they have a non-visible disability and may require extra help, understanding, or simply more time. This initiative has been a game-changer for travellers with hidden disabilities, making air travel more accessible and inclusive.
Manchester Airport, UK, 2022:
At Manchester Airport, the security staff recognised the lanyard and escorted the wearer to the front of the security line. This ensured a smoother and less rushed bag-scanning process, benefiting those with disabilities like OCD who fear losing their belongings.
Sydney Airport, Australia, 2024:
The wearer of the Sunflower Lanyard at Sydney Airport was guided to an empty security line. This allowed them to feel calmer and less pressured during the security check. Additionally, when boarding a Jetstar flight from Sydney to Ayers Rock, a flight attendant offered assistance, demonstrating the recognition and support provided by participating airlines.
Gatwick Airport, UK, 2016:
Gatwick Airport pioneered the Sunflower Lanyard initiative in collaboration with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program in 2016. This initiative has since spread to nearly 170 airports worldwide, with more airports and airlines joining the global Sunflower network.
Auckland Airport, New Zealand:
Air New Zealand, in partnership with Auckland Airport, actively supports the recognition of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard. Their Chief People Officer, Nikki Dines, emphasised their commitment to ensuring a seamless and less stressful travel experience for customers who need extra support.
Istanbul Airport, Turkey:
Istanbul Airport, in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, offers Sunflower lanyards at assistance counters in both the domestic and international terminals. Turkish Airlines has integrated the Sunflower into its Accessible Travel application, enhancing the travel experience for guests with disabilities and reduced mobility.
These experiences highlight the positive impact of the Sunflower Lanyard initiative in airports. By wearing the lanyard, individuals with hidden disabilities can receive the assistance and understanding they need to navigate the challenges of air travel with greater ease and confidence.
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Frequently asked questions
The sunflower lanyard is for people with hidden disabilities. It is a subtle visual cue for airport staff to know that you have a hidden disability and may need extra help, understanding, or just more time.
You can get a sunflower lanyard at participating airports and other institutions that recognise the sunflower lanyard. You can also buy it for a small price at the official Hidden Disabilities store.
The sunflower lanyard was first developed with Gatwick airport in 2016 and has since been adopted by just under 170 airports across the globe. Some of these airports include Toronto Pearson International, Vancouver International, Calgary, Fort McMurray International, Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh, and Manchester Airport.
