Flying can be an overwhelming experience, but one New York City-area airport is making it easier for neurodivergent travelers by unveiling a pair of sensory rooms connecting both presecurity and postsecurity.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) officially opened its postsecurity sensory room Tuesday in its state-of-the-art Terminal A. The space gives neurodivergent travelers a calming place to relax before their flights, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told TPG. This complements the presecurity space that the airport opened in 2023.
“We’re proud that Newark Liberty’s Terminal A now sets a new standard for accessibility and comfort in air travel,” Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement shared with TPG. “We’re reinforcing our commitment to making air travel more welcoming, more comfortable, and more accessible for everyone who passes through our terminals.”
The new 1,400-square-foot space features an underwater theme complete with dark blue walls, a glowing fish tank, interactive bubble tubes, sea life projections and art features hanging from the ceiling — a nod to New Jersey’s coast. The space also includes a replica of an aircraft cabin with seat belts, overhead bins and windows that digitally simulate an inflight view to help travelers become familiar with the flight process.
The project was developed with the help of the Anderson Center for Autism and is part of the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Cares program, which helps travelers who need additional assistance. Passengers will now be able to move directly from the presecurity sensory room to a dedicated TSA Cares screening lane and then enter the new postsecurity sensory room just a few steps away. Travelers can request TSA Cares assistance at least three days ahead of their scheduled flight.
In addition to the sensory room, Newark opened an adjacent 1,400-square-foot meditation room in Terminal A.
What’s next?
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to add similar sensory rooms to other major New York airports.
A postsecurity sensory room opened at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Terminal C, and the group said it plans to build more sensory rooms in the new terminals under construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Newark, for its part, is also undergoing a major transformation: There are plans to build an all-new Terminal B and replace the existing AirTrain system.
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Sensory rooms also exist at other airports across the country, from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and beyond.
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