Airports

Airports are bustling hubs filled with unfamiliar sights, sounds, and activities that can be overwhelming for anyone.

However, for children with sensory sensitivities, such as those with autism, ADHD, or other neurological conditions, this environment can be particularly challenging. The constant stimuli can easily lead to sensory overload, turning what should be an exciting journey into a stressful experience. To address this, many forward-thinking airports around the world have introduced sensory rooms, transforming air travel into a more inclusive and sensory-friendly experience.

What Is a Sensory Room?

A sensory room, also known as a multisensory environment, is a specially designed space that provides a calming or stimulating sensory experience. These rooms are adaptable and tailored to the specific needs of individuals, offering therapeutic benefits and promoting overall well-being. Sensory rooms often feature soft lighting, tactile walls, comfortable seating, and calming visuals and sounds. The goal is to create a safe refuge from the sensory overload that airports often trigger.

How Sensory Rooms Enhance the Airport Experience

Creating a Calming Oasis

Airports can be overwhelming for anyone, but especially for those with sensory sensitivities. Sensory rooms offer a peaceful retreat, providing a quiet space away from the bustling terminal. This calming environment helps individuals, particularly children, decompress and prepare for their journey with reduced stress.

Reducing Travel Anxiety

For passengers with sensory sensitivities, the stress of traveling can be intense. Sensory rooms are designed to alleviate this stress by offering a controlled environment where they can relax. This significantly reduces anxiety, making air travel more manageable and enjoyable.

Tailored Sensory Support

Sensory rooms are equipped with features such as soft lighting, soundproofing, tactile objects, and comfortable seating, all designed to meet various sensory needs. This tailored experience allows passengers to regulate their sensory input, ensuring they feel more comfortable and secure before their flight.

Supporting Families

Sensory rooms are invaluable for families travelling with children who have sensory processing challenges. These rooms offer a supportive space where the entire family can take a break, reducing stress for both the child and their caregivers.

Leading Airports with Sensory Rooms

Some airports are staying a step ahead of the game and have made commendable efforts to become more inclusive and sensory-friendly.

Creating a Calming Oasis

Reducing Travel Anxiety

Tailored Sensory Support

Supporting Families

Leading Airports with Sensory Rooms

Some airports are staying a step ahead of the game and have made commendable efforts to become more inclusive and sensory-friendly.

Let’s take a look at some airport sensory rooms around the world.

Birmingham Airport (UK)

Recognised as one of the first airports globally to introduce a sensory room, Birmingham Airport’s facility is designed for passengers with a variety of conditions. They have two rooms designed for children, called the ‘Sky Zone’. These airports play zones are designed for 3-10 year olds, and feature Sky Cadet ‘Zoom’, the Airport’s mascot. They are free to use and are located at Gates 3 and 54, serving both departure lounges in the terminal.

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (USA)

SEA also introduced a sensory room for their neurodiverse passengers. They describe it as a calming environment for those who may feel overwhelmed, or overstimulated, while traveling.

Dublin Airport

Dublin Airport has a purpose-built sensory room, aimed at helping to calm passengers who might feel overwhelmed in busy and unfamiliar airport surroundings. Depending on the passenger’s requirements, users will have the option to transform it from a calming and relaxing environment to a stimulating interactive space full of light and sound.

Gatwick Airport (UK)

Gatwick Airport’s sensory room is another prime example of an inclusive space. There are two zones in their Sensory Room. A ‘chill-out zone’ for those needing calm includes floor cushions, bean bags and digital display panels, which generate colourful visuals. A separate ‘interactive zone’ stimulates the senses through tactile panels, textures and games to improve memory, learning and general motor skills.

The Impact of Sensory Rooms on Air Travel

Incorporating sensory rooms in airports is more than just a thoughtful addition; it’s a crucial step toward making air travel accessible and enjoyable for all passengers, particularly those with sensory sensitivities. By offering these specialized spaces, airports are not only enhancing the travel experience but also promoting a more inclusive and compassionate environment that caters to the diverse needs of every traveller.