SFO opens first sensory room for Neurodivergent Travellers

The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced the opening of its newest amenity: a Sensory Room specifically designed for Neurodiverse travellers and their families. This interactive room offers a variety of experiences, including an ‘Activity Area’ with both analog and digital options, a ‘Calming/Soothing Area’ for contemplation and wonderment, and a life-size ‘Cabin Experience’ featuring a realistic, full-scale aircraft interior mock-up which allows families to acclimate to the experience of flying before boarding their actual flight.

“Our mission is to deliver an airport experience that puts people first, and our first-ever Sensory Room demonstrates our commitment to make SFO easier, less stressful and more accessible for all passengers,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero.

“With this facility, Neurodivergent travelers and their families can now find a comforting space to make their travels more relaxing and enjoyable. My thanks go out to our project team for making this vision a reality.”

In creating the Sensory Room, the SFO project team benchmarked similar facilities around the world and consulted with the UCSF Children’s Hospital and The Arc San Francisco, an organisation that partners with, supports, and amplifies the voices of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SFO had previously partnered with The Arc San Francisco to create air travel rehearsal experiences for Neurodivergent travellers and families. The Sensory Room now provides this experience anytime.

The Sensory Room is located post-security in Harvey Milk Terminal 1 and can be accessed from any SFO terminal via connecting walkways. The facility will be open daily from 5:00am to 11:00pm. The room will not be staffed.