A Quiet Signal: How the Sunflower Program Supports ME Travellers

If you live with ME, Long COVID, or another energy-limiting illness, you know the particular exhaustion of explaining your condition to a stranger, again and again, just to get through a day that already takes everything you have. Travel can make this worse: lineups, unfamiliar staff, no time to rest between steps. The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program offers a small but meaningful way to skip that explanation.

The Sunflower is a discreet lanyard, pin, or sticker that signals you may have a non-visible disability and could benefit from a little extra time, patience, or understanding. It's entirely voluntary, and you decide when and where to wear it. The program started at Gatwick Airport in 2016 and has since grown to more than 230 airports across 30+ countries and 15 airlines worldwide.

Air Canada was the first airline in North America to adopt the program, making Sunflower lanyards available at check-in counters and on board all Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express flights. Closer to home, Vancouver International Airport (YVR) also participates, so BC travelers have support at both ends of a trip.

What we're especially glad to see: ME is specifically listed among the conditions the Sunflower program recognizes, alongside chronic pain, autism, and other non-visible disabilities. There's even an option to create a personalized ME identification card through the program's website.

Wearing the Sunflower doesn't guarantee expedited screening or special treatment, but it does give airport and airline staff a quiet cue to offer extra time, patience, and compassion, without you having to ask for it out loud.

If you're planning to travel, you can pick up a Sunflower lanyard free at participating airport counters, or visit the program's Canadian page to learn more about where it's recognized and how to access one before your trip.

Learn more about the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program HERE.

Learn more about the Air Canada initiative HERE.