Newark Liberty International Airport unveils new sensory room
Flying can be an overwhelming experience, but one New York City-area airport is making it easier for neurodivergent travelers by unveiling a pair of sensory rooms connecting both presecurity and postsecurity.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) officially opened its postsecurity sensory room Tuesday in its state-of-the-art Terminal A. The space gives neurodivergent travelers a calming place to relax before their flights, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told TPG. This complements the presecurity space that the airport opened in 2023.
"We're proud that Newark Liberty's Terminal A now sets a new standard for accessibility and comfort in air travel," Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole said in a statement shared with TPG. "We're reinforcing our commitment to making air travel more welcoming, more comfortable, and more accessible for everyone who passes through our terminals."
The new 1,400-square-foot space features an underwater theme complete with dark blue walls, a glowing fish tank, interactive bubble tubes, sea life projections and art features hanging from the ceiling — a nod to New Jersey's coast. The space also includes a replica of an aircraft cabin with seat belts, overhead bins and windows that digitally simulate an inflight view to help travelers become familiar with the flight process.
The project was developed with the help of the Anderson Center for Autism and is part of the Transportation Security Administration's TSA Cares program, which helps travelers who need additional assistance. Passengers will now be able to move directly from the presecurity sensory room to a dedicated TSA Cares screening lane and then enter the new postsecurity sensory room just a few steps away. Travelers can request TSA Cares assistance at least three days ahead of their scheduled flight.
In addition to the sensory room, Newark opened an adjacent 1,400-square-foot meditation room in Terminal A.
What's next?
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey plans to add similar sensory rooms to other major New York airports.
A postsecurity sensory room opened at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Terminal C, and the group said it plans to build more sensory rooms in the new terminals under construction at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Newark, for its part, is also undergoing a major transformation: There are plans to build an all-new Terminal B and replace the existing AirTrain system.
Sensory rooms also exist at other airports across the country, from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and beyond.
Related reading:
- Are airlines and airports doing enough to accommodate travelers with disabilities?
- Use these tricks to avoid TSA scrutiny and save time at the airport
- Travel for all: 12 autism-friendly vacation destinations
- 3 big lounge updates for Newark airport, including plans for an all-new Air France lounge
- Review: United's invite-only Classified restaurant at Newark
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month