Manchester Airport Sunflower Room Opens in Terminal 2 2026

Key Points

• Sunflower Room opened by Manchester Airport in Terminal 2.
• It is created as a result of a collaboration between Manchester Airport and AmbiSpace, which is an experienced team of sensory specialists based in Doncaster.
• The facility consists of two sensory rooms and one quiet room, which are designed for people who need calmness prior to their flight.
• It is meant to be used by passengers with autism, neurodiversity, non-visible disabilities and special assistance needs.
• These sensory rooms feature bubble tubes, infinity mirrors, light projectors, adjustable lighting and weighted padded furniture.
• Passengers do not need to make a booking for using sensory rooms.
• The design process was carried out in collaboration with the National Autistic Society, special assistance provider ABM and Manchester Airport Accessibility Forum.
• It will be maintained by AmbiSpace, located in Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate, Doncaster.
• Officials from the airport stated that this opening is a part of the overall renovation of Terminal 2.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) October 12, 2026 — Manchester Airport has opened a new sensory facility in Terminal 2, known as the Sunflower Room, to support passengers with autism, neurodivergence, non-visible disabilities and additional assistance needs.

The facility was developed through a partnership between Manchester Airport and Doncaster-based sensory specialists AmbiSpace. As reported by Passenger Terminal Today journalist Hazel King, the Sunflower Room offers two sensory rooms with interactive features, alongside a quiet room with comfortable seating, low-level lighting and minimal stimuli.

The opening was also covered by the Manchester Evening News, which reported that the facility comprises three distinct sections: two sensory rooms equipped with interactive elements and a third quiet room intended as a peaceful escape from the busy terminal.

The development was first announced by Manchester Airport on 30 September 2026, according to Deep Arrival, which reported that the facility is located in Terminal 2 and is intended for travellers who need a quieter or more regulated space before boarding.

Why is it called the Sunflower Room?

The name reflects the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, a widely recognised symbol used by people with non-visible disabilities to indicate that they may need additional support, patience or understanding. The Sunflower Room is intended to provide a dedicated space where passengers can reduce sensory input, relax or recharge before their flight.

As reported by Passenger Terminal Today, the facility is designed for passengers with autism, neurodivergence, other non-visible disabilities and assistance needs. The Manchester Evening News similarly described the space as being designed for travellers with autism and neurodivergent conditions, as well as people with invisible disabilities and assistance requirements.

What is inside the Sunflower Room?

The Sunflower Room includes a range of sensory features intended to accommodate different preferences and needs. According to Passenger Terminal Today, the rooms contain bubble tubes, infinity mirrors, light projectors, brightness- and colour-adjustable lighting, and weighted, padded furniture.

The Manchester Evening News reported that the layout and furnishings allow passengers to sit, stand or recline while using the space. The quiet room provides cosy seating, subdued lighting and minimal sensory distractions.

Flight information screens have also been installed at the entrance to the Sunflower Room. Passenger Terminal Today reported that these screens allow people using the facility to check updates and relevant travel information quickly and easily.

AmbiSpace’s own account of the project described a central calming, low-stimulus area where passengers can sit, relax and self-regulate, connected to two additional sensory rooms. The company said these rooms include interactive sensory panels, bubble tubes, colour-changing sensory lighting and engaging sensory activities.

Can passengers use the room without booking?

Yes. Manchester Airport has said that the Sunflower Room does not need to be pre-booked.

Ed Kibblewhite, head of terminal services at Manchester Airport, said: “Whether you’re looking to relax, reduce sensory input, or simply recharge, these spaces are available for you to use and do not need to be prebooked.”

The same comment was reported by the Manchester Evening News, which quoted Mr Kibblewhite as saying that the spaces are available for passengers to use without prior reservations.

Who designed the Manchester Airport Sunflower Room?

The Sunflower Room was designed by Yorkshire-based sensory specialists AmbiSpace, a Doncaster company based at Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate. The company has previously created sensory rooms and inclusive spaces for schools, colleges, healthcare settings, shopping centres and other public venues.

According to Passenger Terminal Today, the design process also involved the National Autistic Society, ABM, the airport’s special assistance provider, and the Manchester Airport Accessibility Forum.

The Manchester Evening News described the Manchester Airport Disability Forum as a group of airport users with disabilities and limited mobility who provide guidance to airport management on accessibility and special assistance matters.

AmbiSpace has also been contracted to oversee the upkeep and management of the facility, according to the Manchester Evening News.

What did AmbiSpace say about the project?

Dean Cook, marketing manager at AmbiSpace, said the company had previously worked on sensory rooms and quiet spaces in settings including prisons, schools, colleges and shopping centres, but that this was its first airport project.

As reported by Passenger Terminal Today, Mr Cook said: “We’ve previously worked on sensory rooms and quiet spaces in a range of environments, from prisons, to schools and colleges, and shopping centres – but this is the first time we’ve worked on a space like this in an airport, so it’s great to have been part of this project.”

He added that there had been a long and detailed design and consultation process, with the aim of creating a diverse sensory area able to accommodate a range of needs.

In AmbiSpace’s own published account, Mr Cook said the goal was to create a flexible space combining calm, low-stimulation areas with interactive sensory experiences. He said inclusive spaces could make a significant difference by allowing people to pause, regulate and feel comfortable before travelling.

What did disability organisations say?

Emma Roberts, a Greater Manchester-based project officer for the National Autistic Society, took part in the consultation process and attended the opening.

As reported by Passenger Terminal Today, Ms Roberts 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.”

She said that by offering three distinct, private spaces, Manchester Airport was supporting passengers to feel calm and regulate before their flights.

The Manchester Evening News also quoted Ms Roberts as saying that the facility could become part of the travel routine in Terminal 2 for autistic passengers and their travel companions, allowing them to plan journeys with greater confidence.

Anwar Hussain, contract manager for special assistance provider ABM, welcomed the launch. The Manchester Evening News reported that he said the space gives ABM teams another way to tailor support to each passenger’s individual needs.

How does the opening fit into Terminal 2’s transformation?

Manchester Airport presented the Sunflower Room as the latest stage in the ongoing redevelopment of Terminal 2.

Mr Kibblewhite said the airport was proud to offer a world-class experience in its award-winning Terminal 2, which is nearing the end of a decade-long transformation. He described the new facility as being at the cutting edge.

The Manchester Evening News reported that Mr Kibblewhite described the initiative as a significant milestone in that process and said the facility was innovative.

AmbiSpace said the Sunflower Room forms part of Manchester Airport’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion and passenger wellbeing.

Background of the development

AmbiSpace is a sensory technology business formed in 2016 by Kevin Wheatley. According to Business Doncaster, the company develops products intended to improve accessibility in public places, including the Sensory Nook, bespoke sensory room design and installation, and SensoryBox.

Business Doncaster reported in January 2026 that AmbiSpace had committed to a 10-year lease on a unit at Kirk Sandall Industrial Estate in Doncaster, with support from the Tech Welcome Grant, a scheme designed to attract technology businesses to the region.

The Manchester Airport project marks AmbiSpace’s first sensory room installation in an international airport environment, according to the company.

The Sunflower Room’s opening follows wider attention to accessibility at UK airports. EasyJet’s guidance for passengers with hidden disabilities lists Manchester Airport’s Sunflower Room among airport facilities offering quiet places or special areas for passengers who feel overwhelmed or need a calmer environment.

Prediction: What it means for passengers

For autistic passengers, neurodivergent travellers and people with non-visible disabilities, the Sunflower Room is likely to provide a practical option for managing sensory overload before departure. Because the rooms do not require advance booking, passengers may be able to use them flexibly during their journey through Terminal 2.

For families and travel companions, the facility may make it easier to plan a visit to Manchester Airport, particularly for those who previously needed to find quieter areas elsewhere in the terminal. The presence of flight information screens at the entrance may also help passengers remain updated without leaving the space.

For Doncaster-based AmbiSpace, the project could raise the company’s profile in the airport and transport sector. The firm has said it looks forward to continuing its relationship with Manchester Airport and its partners.

For Manchester Airport, the development may strengthen its accessibility offer at a time when airports are increasingly expected to provide support beyond standard assistance services. The facility’s long-term impact will depend on passenger uptake, ongoing maintenance and whether similar provision is extended elsewhere across the airport.