SMILE is a prototype that adapts the flight booking process to support neurodivergent travellers, especially those with autism, ADHD, migraine, epilepsy, or other neurological conditions who travel for learning mobility such as internships or study stays abroad.

The story follows Rita, a 24‑year‑old Italian student on the autism spectrum who travels alone to Denmark for an internship and experiences intense anxiety from home to destination; SMILE redesigns booking and journey preparation so she can travel more safely and confidently

Primary target users are students and young adults with neurological conditions (autism, ADHD, epilepsy, post‑stroke, cerebral palsy, etc.) who participate in international mobility for internships, study, or training. They are learners with fewer opportunities because they face additional sensory, cognitive, emotional, and self‑advocacy barriers when traveling alone, especially in noisy, crowded environments like airports and airplanes.

Secondary stakeholders include airlines, booking platforms, cab services, and co‑passengers, who are given information and tools (e.g. flyers on planes) to better understand and support travellers with neurological conditions.

The prototype addresses challenges such as: anxiety and panic attacks during travel, sensory overload at airports and on planes, fear of making booking mistakes, difficulties navigating from airport to final destination, and lack of tailored support in standard booking systems.

Rita’s experience illustrates physical and psychological symptoms (nausea, cramps, sweating, overthinking, regret) that can make learners abandon or avoid mobility opportunities altogether.[18]
SMILE creates opportunities by embedding a “special support” section into the booking form where neurodivergent passengers can request a quiet‑zone seat (away from toilets, heavy traffic, strong light) and door‑to‑door cab transfer from airport to accommodation, with contact details sent 24 hours before departure.

Additional opportunities include a proposed travel toolkit (“how to travel alone for a learning experience”) and informational flyers on aircraft to guide staff and fellow passengers on how to assist people with neurological conditions.

Expected impacts include reduced travel‑related stress, fewer panic situations, and increased sense of safety and control for neurodivergent learners undertaking international mobility.

By integrating support at the booking stage and linking it to on‑trip assistance (seat allocation, cab service, information), SMILE makes internships and study stays abroad more accessible to students with neurological conditions who might otherwise opt out.

In the longer term, the prototype encourages airlines, mobility programmes, and education providers to normalise asking for and providing neurodiversity‑sensitive support, thereby promoting more inclusive mobility systems from “home to destination”