Preparethe placeget us ready

Getting ready for Navigating MSP at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Navigating MSP is a free practice run of the airport: security, the terminal and boarding a plane, with a pilot to meet. It runs about once a month, usually at 1 pm, and you register first by email.

Jump to the plan ↓

Sensory supports. A free practice run through a real airport, about once a month.

Hours

About once a month. Most sessions: sign-in 12:30 pm, event at 1 pm.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

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Navigating MSP, in MSP's words

“Navigating MSP Airport helps ease the anxiety with free, practice runs through the airport.” You “experience TSA security screening procedures,” “explore the terminal,” and “board a plane and meet a pilot.”

“Part of this process is for you to determine what supports are needed for your family to travel successfully.”

It happens in the working airport, so your kid practices real security screening and a real plane before the trip.
Right now only families flying soon can take part. If you're not flying soon, you'll go on the waitlist, so sign up early.

In their own words: mspairport.com. Checked Sun, Nov 1, 2026. Something changed? Tell us

Five things to know

To register, fill out the form on MSP's page and email it to NavigatingMSP@mspmac.org. They reply in 3 to 5 business days.
Everyone coming must be registered, with names matching a current government photo ID. Changes are due at least 48 hours before.
Families can register for one month at a time. Extra months go on the waitlist.
It happens past the TSA checkpoint, so TSA rules on what you carry apply.
Volunteers guide you through the airport, but you stay in charge of your kids.

Visual schedule

Navigating MSP practice run

Drive to the airport
Check in
Go through security
Walk to the gate
Get on the airplane
Sit in my seat on the plane
Buckle my seatbelt
All done

Make it yours →

Ask before you go

which terminal the practice run meets in, before you register
how long the practice run lasts
whether the plane moves
whether there's a quiet room to use during the event

Call 612-726-5239

More about Navigating MSP, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport

MSP has social stories to read at home: one for children and one for new travelers.
If you'll need an airport wheelchair, bring someone to push it. Tell the team early if you need a transfer to the plane seat.
Questions: Shelly Lopez, 612-726-5239 or NavigatingMSP@mspmac.org.
TSA Cares can arrange help at security on your real travel day; see the TSA Cares page.

Email: NavigatingMSP@mspmac.org Navigating MSP

Source: mspairport.com