Smartavia officially launches the distribution of Russia's first anti-stress kits for passengers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Starting tomorrow, on the International Day of Charity, the "Sky Without Stress" sensory relief kits will be available on all flights across Smartavia's route network, which covers more than 40 destinations in Russia.

What's inside the "Sky Without Stress" kit?

Developed in collaboration with the "Anton Is Here" foundation, the kit helps reduce sensory overload during the flight. The set includes three key items:

• Sleep mask — to protect against bright lights in the cabin and at the airport;
• Earplugs — to reduce engine noise and turbulence sounds;
• Pop-it — an anti-stress fidget toy for shifting attention through tactile sensations.

The creation of the kit went through several stages. First, the project team studied which factors cause the most discomfort for passengers with ASD during a flight. Then Smartavia selected 18 items aimed at reducing sensory load. At the final stage, students from the "Anton Is Here" foundation tested and chose the items that help cope with stress, leaving the three most effective ones.

Who can get the kit and how much does it cost?

The service is provided completely free of charge. Passengers with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) can order the anti-stress kit on any Smartavia flight.

To do so, you must notify the airline in advance using one of two methods:

• Check the appropriate box when purchasing a ticket on the Smartavia website;
• Fill out the feedback form on the Smartavia website, providing details of your upcoming flight.

After receiving the request, an airline employee will inform ground services at the airport and the cabin crew. This allows them to prepare for the passenger's arrival and provide additional assistance at all stages of the journey: from check-in to arrival at the destination city.

"The sensory relief kits have become a logical continuation of our comprehensive program to introduce inclusive air travel services, which we developed and have been implementing since early 2025. As part of the first batch, we have prepared 1,300 anti-stress kits and are ready to provide them to passengers with ASD starting September 5, 2026," — said Yuliana Tyazhelnikova, Director of Marketing and Customer Loyalty at Smartavia Airlines.

Additional support for passengers with ASD

The launch of the kits is not the only new initiative. Smartavia continues its comprehensive work to create an inclusive environment:

• Staff training. Since the beginning of the year, all ground service employees and flight attendants have undergone training on communicating with passengers who have mental health conditions.
• "Hug Me" anti-stress pillow. Smartavia previously introduced a tactile pillow to reduce sensory load.
• Illustrated social stories. The airline's website now features illustrated guides that help autistic passengers familiarize themselves in advance with the specifics of different stages of travel: check-in, security screening, boarding, the flight itself, and baggage claim. This reduces anxiety before the trip.

Why this matters

According to the Russian Ministry of Health, more than 1.3 million people in Russia live with autism spectrum disorders. For many of them, air travel involves excessive sensory overload, which often becomes a reason for refusing trips, family visits, or business travel.

"Due to the specifics of sensory perception, passengers with autism often need additional support on board. A flight is a new social situation with many unfamiliar stimuli. That's why sensory support tools are an important way to make travel accessible," — commented Polina Tolstova, Program Director of the "Anton Is Here" foundation.

Smartavia plans to continue expanding its inclusive services so that every passenger feels supported at every stage of the flight.