San José Mineta International Airport Hosts Second Annual Wings for All® Event
Wings for All® helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities practice air travel and trains aviation professionals to support them
SJC Media | 408-392-1199 | sjcmedia@sjc.org
San José, Calif. – In partnership with Delta Air Lines, The Arc US, Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE) and TSA, Wings for All® completed a simulated air-travel experience on Saturday, October 17, at San José Mineta International Airport (SJC). Participants packed their bags, traveled to the airport, passed through security and even boarded a plane – many for the first time. Delta staff and crew welcomed participants and their families onboard and the aircraft taxied on the SJC airfield to simulate the experience of riding in a plane.
Airports and air travel can present challenges for some people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Bright lights, unfamiliar sounds, crowds and security screening can make the experience feel overwhelming or unpredictable. With greater understanding and preparation, airport and airline staff can help travelers navigate the process and provide appropriate support when needed.
By helping individuals and families become more familiar with air travel in a supportive setting, Wings for All® aims to reduce uncertainty, build confidence and make it easier for people with IDD to travel and enjoy meaningful experiences with family and friends.
“The Arc created Wings for All in 2014 with the goal of helping make air travel more accessible,” said Kerry Mauger, senior director of The Arc. “Since then, we have held more than 275 events nationwide. By giving individuals with IDD and their families a chance to practice the air travel process in a supportive environment, we help alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty of flying. At the same time, the program equips TSA, airport, and airline staff to better support travelers with IDD of all ages.”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to experience air travel with confidence,” said Alison Lathrop, Managing Director of Environmental and Accessibility Programs at Delta Air Lines. “Wings for All gives participants and their families a chance to practice the steps involved in flying in a supportive environment, while providing Delta people valuable insight into how we can better support them. We’re proud to partner with SJC and The Arc to help make air travel more accessible.”
“Making San José more inclusive means helping residents and visitors of all abilities participate fully in community life,” said San José City Manager Jennifer Maguire. “Wings for All is a meaningful example of how partnerships can help families prepare for travel, build confidence, and navigate experiences that might otherwise feel overwhelming.”
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to explore the world and create memories with family and friends,” said San José Mayor Matt Mahan. “Programs like Wings for All help remove barriers to travel and make our community more inclusive. We’re proud to welcome this partnership to San José.”
“At SJC, we want every traveler to feel welcome and supported throughout their journey,” said Mookie Patel, director of aviation at San José Mineta International Airport. “Wings for All gives participants and families an opportunity to become familiar with the airport experience while helping aviation professionals better understand how to support travelers with different needs. We’re grateful to our partners for helping us make SJC more accessible and welcoming.”
“Experiences like Wings for All can help individuals and families build familiarity and confidence in an environment that may otherwise feel overwhelming,” said Kurt Ohlfs, executive director of PACE. “We’re pleased to partner with SJC, Delta and The Arc to help make air travel more approachable and to encourage greater understanding of the needs of autistic travelers.”
San José Mineta International Airport was recently voted the second least stressful airport in the US in a study by Rightway Parking. With curb-to-gate access in minutes, Premium Reserved Parking, SJC Happy Tails therapy animals, the Sunflower Lanyard program, a robust volunteer program and a forthcoming sensory-friendly room, SJC offers a range of services and amenities designed to make travel simpler and more comfortable.
Photos and videos from the event are available here.
About Delta Air Lines: Through exceptional service and the power of innovation, Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) never stops looking for ways to make every trip feel tailored to every customer. There are 100,000 Delta people leading the way to deliver a world-class customer experience on up to 5,500 daily Delta and Delta Connection flights to more than 300 destinations on six continents, connecting people to places and to each other. Delta served more than 200 million customers in 2025 – safely, reliably and with industry-leading customer service innovation – and was recognized by Cirium for being the top on-time airline in North America for the fifth consecutive year. In addition, Delta has been named to the Civic 50 by Points of Light as one of the most community minded companies in the U.S. For more information, visit delta.com.
About The Arc of the United States: The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of nearly 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis. Visit www.thearc.org or follow us @TheArcUS to learn more. Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase.
About Pacific Autism Center for Education (PACE): Is one of the leading nonprofit organizations in the bay area that offers comprehensive services and supports to autistic students. With their two school campuses they offer residential services, early childhood programs and specialized behavioral supports to autistic students. They are also a hub for parents and family members to receive educational information and services regarding their loved ones. Learn more at @pacificautismce.
About San José Mineta International Airport (SJC): Fly Simple.
San José Mineta International Airport (SJC), owned and operated by the City of San José, is the Bay Area’s most convenient and dependable airport. Its medium size, simple layout, mild climate and central location — just minutes from downtown San José, the Capital of Silicon Valley — make travel easy. In 2024, SJC welcomed nearly 12 million passengers and was ranked California’s top-performing airport for on-time departures by Cirium. The Airport offers nonstop service to more than 40 domestic and international destinations and supports Silicon Valley’s business aviation needs through two fixed-base operators and several corporate tenants, with general aviation representing more than a quarter of aircraft operations. A powerful economic engine for the region, SJC supports more than 19,000 jobs in Santa Clara County and generates more than $4.3 billion annually in construction, operations and tourism activity. Learn more at flysanjose.com.
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