Getting ready forSt. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL).
STL invites travelers with anxiety, autism, disabilities or a fear of flying to visit the airport before their flight: walk the upper and lower levels of the terminals and watch as travelers check in, go through security and collect their bags. Visitors can't go past the security checkpoints, and STL lists no sign-up.
Know before you go. STL doesn't list a sensory room, Sunflower lanyards or sensory kits. It does invite anxious and autistic travelers to visit before their flight. Here's what it says about the terminals, security, crowds and help.
Hours
The airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. TSA security checkpoints (set by TSA and subject to change): Terminal 1 A Gates 3:30 am to 7 pm; Terminal 1 C Gates 3:30 am to 10 pm; Terminal 2 E Gates 3:30 am to 10 pm. Information Booth: 7 am to 11 pm daily.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport, 10701 Lambert International Blvd, St. Louis, MO (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2)
“Visitors are unable to access concourses and gate areas, as federal regulations permit only ticketed passengers beyond the security checkpoints.”
“During peak travel periods, including major holiday travel times, please allow for more time than normal when arriving to the airport.”
“Emergency egress doors have both flashing and audible signals.”
“There is no route to walk between terminals at this time.”
“Companion Care Family restrooms are also located throughout the Airport.”
“For security reasons, personal items are not permitted to be left unattended in the airport. We are unable to provide any lockers or other storage spaces for belongings at this time.”
The airport offers this visit under its information for travelers with anxiety, autism, disabilities, a fear of flying or other support needs. STL lists no sign-up, guide or set times, so you set the pace. A short first visit to the terminal your airline uses, with one look at the security line and a stop at baggage claim, can be enough.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
Ask before you go
a sensory room or quiet room
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyards
sensory kits or headphones to borrow
Call (314) 890-1333More about St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), visiting before your flight
You can visit the terminals ahead of your flight and watch travelers check in, go through security screening and collect their bags, but you can't go into the concourses or gate areas.
Terminal 1 has the A and C Gates and Terminal 2 has the E Gates. The free Terminal Shuttle runs 24 hours between Exit 12 at Terminal 1 and Door 10 at Terminal 2, every 8 to 15 minutes, about a 10-minute ride; there is no walking route between terminals. While the Terminal 1 MetroLink platform is closed for repairs, the shuttles pick up just west of Exit 6 at Terminal 1 and Exit 10 at Terminal 2.
A trained personal escort through the airport can reduce anxiety: contact your airline in advance to arrange it. Travelers who need mobility help can also ask the Information Booth, when they arrive for their flight, to send an escort to them.
The TSA recommends arriving 2 hours before boarding for domestic flights and 3 hours for international flights. During peak travel periods, including major holiday travel times, allow more time than normal.
The Information Booth is in Terminal 1 Baggage Claim between carousels 4 and 5, staffed 7 am to 11 pm daily: (314) 890-1333 for Terminal 1 or (314) 890-1311 for Terminal 2. It handles paging, by voice and on screens, and questions about the airport. In Terminal 2, courtesy phones are by Gate E10 and on the lower level across from the Southwest Airlines Baggage Office.
Companion Care Family restrooms and accessible restrooms are located throughout the airport.
Three Lactation Suites, after security, near gates A10, C9 and E33, with sinks, outlets, counters, a club chair and extra seating for children or companions.
The Children's Play Port is in Terminal 1 near C3, on the C Concourse past security; hours vary. A practice visit can't reach it, since visitors can't go into the concourses.
There are no lockers or other storage for belongings, and items can't be left unattended.
Accessible pickup and drop-off: Terminal 1 on Arrivals Drive between Exit 12 and 17; Terminal 2 on Departures Drive at Exit 2. Airport parking has accessible spaces near the elevators, and the parking shuttles and Terminal Shuttle have lifts.
Children under 18 don't need ID to fly within the U.S. with a companion who has valid ID.
Free Boingo WiFi for the first 4 hours.
Comments, complaints or a facility reasonable accommodation request about accessibility: ADA-Title VI Coordinator Sandra Dressel, (314) 426-8094 or srdressel@flystl.com. To request language assistance, call (314) 426-8094; whenever possible, three business days ahead.
TSA Cares can help at security; see the TSA Cares page.
Call
(314) 890-1333STL Information Booth, Terminal 1 (questions, paging, escort request on arrival)(314) 890-1311STL Information Booth line for Terminal 2(314) 426-8094STL ADA-Title VI Coordinator (accessibility comments, complaints, accommodation requests)
