Newark Liberty International Airport has taken another step to ensure travelers, especially those on the autism spectrum, have a more manageable and stress-free journey.
On Tuesday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced the debut of a second sensory room at Newark’s Terminal A, complementing an existing space that the agency said has improved the experiences of countless neurodivergent travelers.
The second sensory room mirrors the calming environment of the first one, which opened in 2023. The new room offers features like soft lighting, comfortable seating, and calming sounds. It also includes a mock airplane cabin where passengers can familiarize themselves with the in-flight environment to alleviate anxiety.
Children at Newark Liberty International Airport interact with bubble tubes that emit soothing lights and gentle movements, offering a sensory-friendly experience designed to captivate and calm.
“If you have a ‘timeout place,’ if you have a sensory room, it will really help the entire family deal with travel through the airport,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Jeffrey Lynford in a news release.
Lynford’s daughter has autism, giving him a personal understanding of the need for a place to escape the hustle of air travel.
For a child who gets overwhelmed by the sensory overload of an airport, a quiet, engaging sensory room can change their travel experience entirely, he told NorthJersey.com in 2023 after the first room debuted.
A rendering of the first sensory room opened at Newark Airport in 2023. The new space, also in Terminal A, offers a similarly calming environment.
Accommodating travelers with disabilities
With that sanctuary, Newark joined other air hubs, including Pittsburgh International Airport, New York LaGuardia and San Diego, in what Conde Nast Traveler magazine describes as a push across the industry to accommodate those with disabilities.
The airport’s sensory rooms aim to provide a haven using New Jersey’s natural beauty as thematic elements. Designed in partnership with the Anderson Center for Autism, which certified the space, the latest space includes a riverbank-themed carpet depicting the Garden State’s grassy shores and sandy beaches. A large fish tank creates a serene backdrop.
In one section of the room, water-filled tubes feature colorful beads and bubbles bouncing softly. The “soft glowing installations address three kinds of sensory needs: visual stimulation from the movement and color of the bubbles and beads, tactile stimulation from a soft vibration by touching the tubes and auditory stimulation from the gentle sound of beads bouncing off the glass,” the Port Authority said.
Airport officials said the initiative is part of the broader commitment to enhance accessibility and comfort across its facilities.
The sensory room is available to travelers daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.