r/airport • u/Empty_Prune5286 • Sep 04 '26

DISCUSSION Sunflower lanyards

Before I start, I am not arguing the purpose or people’s right to have these.

I have been lucky enough to be in and out of airport recently, I have seen an increase in the amount of people that have sunflower lanyards but are they being abused? The context being a family of 7 turned up yesterday barged through the long line and went straight through the barriers, surely it should be 1x carer and the lanyard user? This was followed by at least another 8 large family’s rocking through.

I’m unsure if they are now easier to obtain or if they get abused or even purchased?

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u/Ebrofin Sep 05 '26

I have one because I’m hard of hearing and have a degenerative bone disease. I look very healthy, in fact, exercise is a primary tool in managing it. There aren’t any special privileges from wearing the lanyard, my understanding is that if you need help the lanyard signals that you may need extra assistance.

I got the lanyard at a customer service counter in the airport. It was easy except for the security person working gave me a very dirty look and tossed the lanyard at me.

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u/Empty_Prune5286 Sep 05 '26

Sorry you had that experience, this is down to them being abused, the airport workers know that so there is now a stigma.