TORONTO – For the fourth year in a row, Toronto Pearson is partnering with Autism Ontario and Air Transat, welcoming participants to the annual Ready, Set, Fly ... with YYZ, an immersive airport familiarization tour that helps autistic and neurodivergent individuals become more confident navigating the airport.
More than 200 participants took part in the event, experiencing every step of the airport journey. The familiarization tour provides hands-on experience navigating Canada's busiest airport, helping autistic and neurodivergent individuals build confidence and feel more prepared for future travel.
"We recognize that travel can be overwhelming, and we are committed to making the journey more accessible and inclusive for everyone,” said Hamilton Vincent de Paul, Director, Terminal Experience and Groundside Services, Airport Operations at Toronto Pearson. “Through our partnership with Autism Ontario and Air Transat, Ready, Set Fly ... with YYZ helps participants become more comfortable with the airport experience, from check-in and security screening to boarding, customs and interacting with airport employees, making future travel more predictable and less stressful.”
"Opportunities like Ready, Set, Fly ... with YYZ provide autistic children, adults, and their families with a special opportunity to experience the airport process while relieving the stress and pressure from an actual travel day," says Marg Spoelstra, Chief Executive Officer of Autism Ontario. "We are proud to continue our collaboration with Toronto Pearson and Air Transat, bridging the gap between our autistic community and community partners to meaningfully inform and demonstrate how to reduce barriers and make air travel more accessible."
“At Air Transat, we want every family to feel welcome on board, including those for whom a first flight takes more preparation," said Andréan Gagné, Senior Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Corporate Responsibility, Transat. " That is why we have been part of Ready, Set, Fly from the start. By opening our aircraft and sharing our team's expertise, we help travellers with autism and their families get ready for the trips they are planning.”
Toronto Pearson is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive experience for all travellers through a range of services, programs and amenities that support passengers with visible and non-visible disabilities, including the travel rehearsal program which allows passengers with disabilities to rehearse their trip through the airport.
About Autism Ontario
Autism Ontario is the province’s leading source of information and referral on autism whose mandate is to build a supportive and inclusive Ontario for autism. It provides autistic individuals and families across their life course with community-based access to meaningful supports, social learning opportunities, information, and connections. The organization’s commitment to significantly and positively impacting the autism community is driven by its vision: Best life, better world, making autism matter!
About Transat
Founded in Montreal in 1987, Transat has achieved worldwide recognition as a provider of leisure travel particularly as an airline under the Air Transat brand. Voted 2025 World's Best Leisure Airline by passengers at the Skytrax World Airline Awards, it flies to international destinations. Air Transat's fleet is primarily composed of some of the most energy-efficient aircraft in their category. Based in Montreal, Transat has over 5,000 employees with a common purpose to bring people closer together. (TSX: TRZ) www.transat.com
About Toronto Pearson
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada’s largest airport and a vital connector of people, businesses, and goods. Toronto Pearson has been recognized as one of the best airports in North America eight times in the last nine years by Airports Council International, the global trade representative of the world’s airports.
Toronto Pearson continues to be recognized as a top workplace, earning a spot on Forbes’ “Canada’s Best Employers” for the past three years. For operational updates and passenger information, please visit @TorontoPearson/@AeroportPearson on X. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
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