Accessible air travel for people living with dementia

Improving the accessibility of UK air travel for passengers with dementia and their companions
Miniature aeroplane model placed on a map of the world, over the North Atlantic Ocean. 
Improving access to air travel for people living with dementia and their companions has been a priority area for researchers and students at the Â鶹´«Ã½ since 2015.
This webpage has been devised to collate key research and projects undertaken by Dr Alison Warren , and Ian Sherriff BEM at the Â鶹´«Ã½ with support from key stakeholders. It also highlights the importance of working together locally, nationally and internationally to generate positive and sustainable change. It is hoped that by acting as a resource to access key documents; sharing best practice and devising further research this site will continue to improve the lives of people seeking to travel with a hidden disability.

Research timeline

  • A2015 – School of Health Professions PhD Studentship awarded

  • .2016 – Research Clusters with OT students: air travel and hidden disability commenced

  • A2017 – Alzheimer's Society summer studentships

  • A2019 – Alzheimer's Society summer studentships

  • S2020 – I-DAir international collaboration formed

  • (2021 – Research England QR Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) pop-up exhibition

  • b2021 – Flying with Dementia - Heathrow booklet

  • [2022 – Doctoral research completed

  • x2023 – Improving accessibility of UK air travel for passengers with non-visible disabilities: lessons from research

This timeline indicates key pieces of our work since 2015. More information is listed below.

People involved with research

The stakeholders listed have contributed to the Prime Minister’s Dementia Group for Air Transport since its inception in 2015.
Following a seminal debate in Parliament to raise awareness of the challenges experienced by people travelling who have dementia (), group members have collaborated on projects, research and presentations.
  • Occupational Therapy Lecturers and students
  • Dementia Ambassadors
  • Cabin Crew/Cabin Crew Trainers
  • Passenger Experience Consultants
  • Local Dementia Support organisations
  • Hidden Disability Advocates

Research undertaken

SOHP PhD Studentship
Funding awarded by the School of Health Professions, Â鶹´«Ã½ to Dr Alison Warren to supervise doctoral research related to air travel and people living with dementia.
Doctoral Research Completed by Dr Kate Turner
Dementia friendly flying: investigating the accessibility of air travel for people living with Dementia –
Improving the accessibility of UK air travel for passengers with non-visible disabilities
Research England QR Strategic Priorities Fund (SPF) pop up exhibition
The team commissioned award-winning cartoonist Tony Husband to develop images highlighting some of the accessibility issues raised by people living with dementia and their companions when travelling by air to share findings from research.
Read more information about the Strategic Priorities Fund project