MSP Airport adding sensory rooms to relieve travel stress

A pair of sensory rooms are coming to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to provide calming spaces in the midst of the hectic travel hub.

The rooms are aimed at providing relief from the "sensory overload" of travel. When completed as part of expansion projects in Terminals 1 and 2, the rooms, designed by local nonprofit Fraser , will offer features like dimmable lighting, sensory-friendly furnishings, varied seating, and, of course, a reprieve from the noise of a bustling airport.

“We are so honored to partner with MSP Airport to bring sensory-friendly spaces to individuals who need a different experience at the airport in order to travel,” Fraser President and CEO Diane S. Cross said in a statement. “Our partnership with MSP Airport is a big step toward making Minnesota sensory-friendly for all.”

Fraser has already been working with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates MSP Airport, as a partner in its Navigating MSP program, which was founded in 2013. It also participates in the Commission's Travelers with Disabilities Advisory Committee.

“This is another major step to create a more accessible and inclusive airport experience, to help passengers with sensory sensitivities, or those who just need a quieter space to decompress before a flight,” said Brian Ryks, CEO of the MAC.

One of the sensory rooms will be part of the Terminal 2 North expansion, which is scheduled to open in 2027. The second sensory room will be part of the Terminal 1 Concourse G expansion , scheduled to open in 2028.

Related: MSP Airport named best in the country