The authority said it was aiming to help reduce “stress and anxiety” for travellers while they used British terminals.
The CAA added that the guidelines had been drafted following a “wide-ranging consultation” with both airports and disability organisations.
Among a number of recommendations laid out by the CAA, was the need for airports to provide staff with hidden disability awareness training and give disabled travellers the option of wearing a lanyard or bracelet quickly identifying them to staff when they were in need of assistance.
The guidelines said airports should also provide hidden disability travellers with a quiet area to wait for flights and quiet routes through the airport bypassing busy retail areas.
It also highlighted the need for clear images and audio messages to be made available throughout terminals to help passengers easily find essential services.
The CAA said it had asked 30 of the UK’s largest airports to implement the necessary changes and would be publishing a report on the improvements next year.
Chris Grayling, secretary of state for transport, said: “We welcome the CAA’s tailored guidance which provides a great opportunity for all UK airports to better meet the needs of people with hidden disabilities.
“I would encourage airports to learn from each other, consult with charities and specialist groups and deliver great services, to help ensure passengers with hidden disabilities enjoy the huge benefits of air travel.”
Richard Moriarty, director of the CAA’s Markets and Consumer Group, said: “Everyone should have fair access to air travel and that’s why there are regulations in place to make sure passengers get the assistance they need to be able to fly.
”Our engagement with disability organisations shows that people with hidden disabilities want to be in control of the assistance they receive, but they do not always get clear information ahead of travel about what support is available.
“To help reduce stress and anxiety it is important passengers and their travelling companions have access to illustrative guides, online videos and photos, which explain the airport layout, the processes passengers need to go through, including security scanning, and what types of support is available.
“We are really pleased with the support UK airports and disability organisations have provided to help us develop these guidelines, however this is just the start and over the next six months we expect airports to make changes and improvements to the services and assistance they provide passengers with hidden disabilities.”
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Everyone has the right to be able to travel comfortably and with ease, and we all have a role in helping air passengers with dementia feel like they’re able to continue flying.
“Sadly, we know that airports can be a daunting or frightening experience for many people affected by dementia – this can put people off travelling and in turn lead to them feeling socially isolated.
“This new guidance from the CAA will provide clear guidelines to help UK airports become more dementia friendly and transform the air travel experience for people with dementia and their carers.”
Daniel Cadey, autism access development manager at the National Autistic Society, said: "The new guidance is an important step towards opening up the world to autistic people and their families.
"Like anyone else, people on the autism spectrum and families want the opportunity to travel and go on holiday. But many rely on routine and find the often busy, loud and unpredictable environment of airports disorientating and overwhelming.”
