Improving Family Travel: DOT’s Commitment to Family-Friendly Airports

Published on December 9, 2025

To improve air travel for families, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) has started the ‘Make Travel Family Friendly Again Campaign. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the initiative aims to make families’ travel through airports easier, and more comfortable. A $1 billion commitment to improve and redesign airports to consider the needs of children, parents, and disabled persons has been planned for this initiative.

Key Features of the New Campaign

The new initiative places emphasis on making airport terminals more welcoming for families. The funding will be used to create additional children’s play areas, expand the number of nursing rooms for mothers, and introduce family-friendly screening lanes at TSA checkpoints. Furthermore, sensory rooms will be developed in airports to cater to individuals with neurodivergent conditions, such as autism.

A major goal of the campaign is to alleviate the stress often experienced by families traveling with young children. By offering dedicated spaces for children to play, nursing mothers to relax, and special accommodations for families with diverse needs, the DOT aims to make the travel experience smoother for everyone.

Funding and Application Process

The funding for the campaign comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Airport Terminal Program, which allocates $1 billion annually to improve airport infrastructure. This program, now in its fourth year, was initially introduced during the Biden Administration in 2022. Airports across the U.S. can apply for funding to support eligible projects. The deadline for submitting applications is January 15, 2026.

As part of the campaign, the DOT will prioritize projects that directly impact families and improve the overall airport experience. Airports will be encouraged to invest in services and spaces that meet the specific needs of children and families, from additional seating areas to more inclusive restrooms.

Promoting Healthier Travel Options

In addition to enhancing family-friendly amenities, the DOT has partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve food options in airports. The campaign highlights the growing popularity of healthier food vending options, such as Farmer’s Fridge, which offers fresh and nutritious meals. The DOT and HHS aim to make it easier for travelers to find healthier food choices while waiting for their flights, making air travel a more health-conscious experience.

The push for healthier food options is in line with broader efforts to promote wellness and fitness among travelers. Secretary Duffy emphasized that family travel should not only be convenient but also healthier. The introduction of more nutritious meals and snacks in airports aims to cater to travelers who want to maintain a healthy diet while on the go.

Guide for Travelers

For families planning to travel in the coming years, the new campaign offers several benefits that will improve the airport experience:

1. Play Areas for Children – More airports will feature designated play areas where children can engage in fun activities, helping to burn off energy before boarding a flight.
2. Mothers’ Rooms and Nursing Pods – The campaign ensures that nursing mothers have access to private spaces to feed and care for their babies, making travel less stressful for new parents.
3. Family Screening Lanes – Families with young children will have access to dedicated screening lanes at TSA checkpoints, designed to make security checks faster and more convenient.
4. Sensory Rooms – Travelers with autism or other neurodivergent conditions will find sensory rooms at select airports. These rooms offer a calm environment with reduced sensory stimuli, providing a safe space for relaxation during travel.
5. Healthier Food Options – Travelers will have better access to healthy meal options at airports, including nutritious vending machines like Farmer’s Fridge, offering fresh meals made from wholesome ingredients.

Travel Tips for Families

With the new improvements in mind, families can take a few steps to ensure a smoother travel experience:

• Arrive Early: With more services in place to cater to families, it’s a good idea to arrive early to take advantage of the new play areas, nursing rooms, and sensory rooms.
• Take Advantage of Family Lanes: If you are traveling with young children or infants, look for family-friendly TSA screening lanes to save time and stress.
• Prepare for Security: Make sure to pack efficiently for airport security, keeping essential items like snacks, toys, and any necessary medications easily accessible.
• Check for Healthy Food Options: Before your trip, check the airport website or mobile app for food options available in your terminal to ensure you can find healthy meals or snacks.

Positive Impact on Family Travel

The new campaign aims to make air travel less stressful and more enjoyable for families. With the expansion of family-oriented services, parents can focus on making their travel experience enjoyable rather than dealing with the usual airport inconveniences. Additionally, the focus on healthier food options ensures that families can maintain good nutrition even while traveling.

While the program is still in the early stages, its potential to transform family travel across the U.S. is significant. As more airports receive funding to improve their facilities, the experience for families at major transportation hubs will become more comfortable and accommodating. Whether it’s through better play areas for children or more inclusive amenities for families with special needs, the DOT’s campaign aims to pave the way for a new era of family-friendly travel.

Conclusion

The “Make Travel Family Friendly Again” campaign is a great start towards making air travel easier for families. By building more family-focused infrastructure, it is easier, healthier, and more pleasant for families to travel. The $1 billion funding pledge is going to age-in-place U.S. Airports for families to improve their travel experiences for generations to come.