Bristol Airport offers a free Hidden Disability Lanyard and matching assistance card to any passenger who may need extra time, patience or understanding from staff, for a condition that isn't visible, such as autism, dementia, anxiety, a chronic illness or a stoma. You don't need to book it in advance or prove anything: just collect one on the day from the Special Assistance Reception desk in the terminal concourse. It's one part of Bristol Airport's wider Special Assistance service, alongside a Sensory Room in the departure lounge and 48-hour advance booking through your airline for more hands-on help.
What the Sunflower Lanyard is for
The sunflower symbol is the UK-wide recognised sign for hidden disabilities, used across airports, railways, shops and other public places. At Bristol Airport, wearing it discreetly tells staff you may have a condition that isn't obvious, without you having to explain it out loud at a busy desk or gate. It's designed for conditions including autism, dementia, anxiety and other mental health conditions, chronic pain or fatigue, a stoma, hearing or sight loss, and any other disability that isn't immediately visible.
How to get one at Bristol Airport
- No pre-booking required for the lanyard itself. Go to the Special Assistance Reception desk in the terminal concourse and ask for one; it's free.
- A matching assistance card is also available. It's the size of a business card and can be handed discreetly to staff along with your boarding pass or passport, so you don't need to say anything out loud. It flags that you may need more time to process information, help avoiding crowded areas, or support reading departure boards and flight information, and it encourages staff to use clear, simple language.
- You can combine it with full Special Assistance. If you want more structured help, such as being met at a specific point or assistance moving through the airport, tell your airline or travel agent at least 48 hours before you fly. They pass your needs to Bristol Airport's Special Assistance team, so all you need to do on the day is go to the Special Assistance desk.
What staff are trained to do
Bristol Airport has worked to get as many front-line staff as possible trained as Dementia Friends, specifically so they understand that no two people with dementia have the same needs, and can adjust how they help accordingly. The same awareness extends to autism, where staff are pointed to resources from the National Autistic Society for practical advice on travelling with autistic children or adults.
The Sensory Room
Alongside the lanyard scheme, Bristol Airport has an interactive Sensory Room in the departure lounge, a quieter, calmer space for passengers who find the general terminal environment overwhelming. It's a useful option to know about in advance if noise, crowds or bright lights are a particular concern, whether or not you also use the lanyard.
Does the lanyard get you fast-tracked through security?
The lanyard itself is a discreet signal rather than an automatic queue-skip. If you specifically need a different route through security, such as more time or a calmer environment at the checkpoint, that's part of the broader Special Assistance service, best arranged in advance through your airline so the airport knows to expect you.
Do you need proof of a disability to get one?
No. The scheme is deliberately low-barrier: you don't need a diagnosis letter, a doctor's note or any other proof to collect a lanyard or card from the Special Assistance desk. It works on trust, which is part of why it's spread to airports, shops and transport operators across the UK.
Can a travelling companion wear one too, or help on your behalf?
The lanyard is for the passenger with the hidden disability, but a travelling companion can carry or present the matching assistance card to staff on that passenger's behalf, which is often easier in a busy or stressful moment than the passenger having to do it themselves.