Mock airplane cabin at MSP debuts to help travelers with disabilities
Flight delays, missed connections, long security lines and — gasp — no warmed nuts in the first-class cabin can cause stress for even the most experienced road warrior.
But the unknowns of travel often create anxiety and far more serious travel issues for people who are new to flying, those who are afraid to fly and flyers of any age with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities.
That is why airports and airlines around the country offer a patchwork of workshops, multisensory rooms and practice-run programs such as Wings for Autism/Wings for All to help travelers address some of these barriers.
Now, Minneapolis—Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) is trying something new. Today, MSP debuts a permanently installed 33-foot-long mock aircraft cabin that offers a creative new way to help people with disabilities travel safely and with more confidence.
The mock aircraft cabin has 42 seats from a retired Boeing 737 and was last used in Atlanta to train Delta Air Lines flight attendants and pilots in emergency evacuation procedures.
Instead of discarding the narrow-body trainer when it was set to be replaced, Delta worked with MSP and other groups to arrange for the cabin to be dismantled and reassembled in MSP Terminal 1, near gate C16.
The mock cabin will offer pre-flight experiences to a wide variety of travelers with disabilities.
MSP already works with airlines and area autism support groups to provide monthly practice run programs on airplanes. But with this new facility, dubbed the Travel Confidently MSP Educational Center, flyers will now have a calm, stand-alone part of the airport in which they can get familiar with an aircraft cabin before boarding an actual flight.
“This unique facility will be a hallmark for MSP’s programs that support equitable and inclusive travel,” said Brian Ryks, the executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, which operates the airport. The in-terminal mock cabin means MSP will now “provide a lifelike training environment without the use of an actual aircraft, which will build confidence in air travel for more people in our community,” he said.
Flyers with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities will not be the only ones who benefit from the in-terminal mock airplane cabin.
Service animal trainers and owners in the region can reserve the facility to practice boarding and travel procedures with their service animals in preparation for a real flight, according to MSP.
Airport firefighters and police can also use the cabin for training around how to respond to passengers or crew emergencies on aircraft.
Additionally, wheelchair service providers can use the mock cabin to practice assisting passengers who use aisle chairs in boarding or deplaning aircraft.
Cabin crew can practice assisting passengers with the use of on-board wheelchairs, which are designed for passengers to move to and from the aircraft lavatory, too.
“This is just the start of what we are going to see over the next few years,” said Eric Lipp, the executive director of Open Doors Organization, a nonprofit that works with businesses on accessibility issues. “This is about airports actually opening their doors to their local communities and getting them out there, teaching them how to fly no matter what their abilities are.”
Related: Proposed rule would improve accessibility of airplane bathrooms
The mock cabin is not only useful and educational, but it's also visually appealing. The Arts@MSP program, which is a joint program of the MAC and the Airport Foundation MSP, organized a community art project for the space. As a result, young artists from the area designed artwork to help create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere for the mock cabin.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.