Manchester Airport has opened a new facility in Terminal 2 designed for passengers with autism, neurodivergence, and other non-visible disabilities or assistance needs. The Sunflower Room offers a place to relax before boarding flights, with three sections: two sensory rooms featuring interactive elements and a third quiet room for a tranquil retreat from the main terminal.
Sensory and quiet features
The sensory rooms include bubble tubes, infinity mirrors, light projectors, adjustable lighting with brightness and colour controls, and weighted, padded furniture. The design accommodates passengers who prefer to sit, stand, or lie down. The quiet room offers comfortable seating, low-level lighting, and minimal stimuli. Flight information screens are placed at the entrance so users can check updates easily.
Design and consultation
Ed Kibblewhite, Head of Terminal Services at Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to offer a world-class experience in our award-winning Terminal 2, which is nearing the end of a decade-long transformation. This is the latest step in that journey and the facility that we are opening here really is at the cutting edge.” He added that the spaces require no pre-booking.
The rooms were designed by Yorkshire-based sensory specialists AmbiSpace, with input from the National Autistic Society, the airport’s special assistance provider ABM, and the Manchester Airport Disability Forum. AmbiSpace has also secured a contract to maintain and manage the facility.
Supporting diverse needs
Dean Cook, AmbiSpace’s Marketing Manager, noted this is the first airport project for the company, which has previously worked on sensory spaces in prisons, schools, colleges, and shopping centres. He said: “There was a long and meticulous design and consultation process for this space, and the goal was to have a diverse sensory area that could accommodate a range of needs.”
Emma Roberts, a Project Officer for the National Autistic Society, took part in the consultation and attended the opening. She said: “From the beginning we were clear about the need for different spaces. Every autistic person is different; some people find lights and bubbles regulating, some need movement, while others just need a quiet space to sit.”
Travel routine benefits
Roberts added that the space could become part of the travel routine for autistic passengers and their companions, helping them plan journeys with more confidence. Anwar Hussain, Contract Manager for ABM, said the facility gives teams another way to tailor support to individual passengers, ensuring they travel in a way that works best for them.
