A mock airplane cabin at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) will help passengers suffering from a variety of disabilities or anxiety including sensory, cognitive, or physical limitations. The cabin is designed to help acclimate passengers to the environment before boarding a plane. It will even help service dogs become familiar with the plane.
Just last month the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) unveiled a new travel center specifically designed to support equitable and inclusive travel. The facility features a mock airplane cabin and is known as the Travel Confidently MSP Education Center.
Located in Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s (MSP) Terminal 1, the mock aircraft cabin, which was donated by Delta Airlines, is designed for several purposes, but most importantly to provide flyers with sensory, cognitive or physical disabilities, or those who suffer from a fear of flying, a safe place to practice boarding and acclimatizing to travel experience.
It will also be used by public safety professionals and airline crews as part of their training regimens and provide a space for service dogs to become familiar with aircraft cabins.
According to the MAC press release, the cabin features a, “33-foot-long mock aircraft cabin that was previously used to train Delta’s in-flight teams in Atlanta, GA. The components of the former training cabin, and 42 seats from a retired Boeing 737, were shipped to MSP and reassembled in its new space, near gate C16. Airport Foundation MSP was another key partner with the MAC on the project.”
Rick King, chair of the MSP MAC had this to say in the press release:
“We are always looking for ways to build travel equity. It’s easy to take air travel for granted, but for many it presents unique challenges and requires different resources. The Travel Confidently MSP Education Center is one more way we can provide resources to the community and lower the barriers to flying for as many people as possible.”
Press Release
Travelers must book a reservation – free of charge – to use the Travel Confidently Center and can do so here.
Cover Image Credit: MSP MAC
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