New Rooms At Tulsa International Airport Will Help Kids, Those With Disabilities, More

Tulsa International Airport has unveiled some upgrades ahead of a busy travel weekend.

Experts expect the summer travel season to be even busier, up nine percent from last year. The airport has new rooms that cater to breastfeeding mothers, people with disabilities, dementia, and more. Tucked just under the gates of the Tulsa International Airport, these new spaces will become safe havens.

Crystal Frost’s son is already utilizing the sensory room, aimed at people with disabilities like autism to spin a fidget spinner and relax in a calm space.

“To have this extra little element or layer for people that need it, opens their world," said Frost.

“We wanted to see what we could do to make that process through our airport easier for them," said Bryan Crook.

Customer experience director Bryan Crook said the new spaces in the airport were made to help people who struggle with travel. The airport now offers five different rooms in two concourses: The sensory room, a lactation room— for nursing mothers, a quiet room, aimed at people with dementia or PTSD, a service animal relief room for pets, and a universal changing room with an adult changing table.

“Somebody's family feels like they can now take that travel, vacation they wanted to," Crook said.

The airport held monthly meetings with different people in the community to identify the needs of people with disabilities. One of those people is Anthony Meadows with the Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.

“A lot of people don't understand, even though you see this person upright, in perfect physical condition, they may be going through things behind doors you never even know about," said Meadows.

TUL is also one of 200 airports worldwide to offer sunflower lanyards for people with disabilities to wear as a subtle way to signify they may need extra help.

As the airport gears up for a very busy holiday weekend, they want to remind people to get here early and plan their parking.

They also have an overflow parking lot if the airport lot reaches capacity.