Hector International Airport is excited to announce it is the first airport in the world to install both an immersive reality room and sensory room in an operational terminal.  

The immersive reality room uses technology from Immersive Reality USA. Travelers to the Fargo, North Dakota, airport can step inside destinations like Buckingham Palace and Walt Disney World without needing any goggles. The 360-degree computer-generated imagery room allows individuals to explore more than 700 fully interactive environments before boarding their nonstop flights. 

The new sensory room offers a calm, welcoming space for travelers, designed to support children on the autism spectrum and others with sensory sensitivities. The room includes comfortable seating, low lighting and the first bubble wall in a U.S. airport terminal. The bubble wall delivers calming visual stimulation to help individuals rest and relax.  

“We’re proud Fargo’s airport is the first in the world to offer amenities like our immersive reality and sensory rooms,” said Shawn Dobberstein, executive director of Hector International Airport. “These additions represent our commitment to providing innovative passenger-focused experiences right here in North Dakota.” 

“We’re delighted to have worked with Hector International Airport on this project,” said Gareth Jones, founder of Immersive Reality USA. “Airports bring together people from every background and age group, and immersive environments offer a simple way to create engaging, inclusive spaces within busy terminals. Seeing the first immersive reality room installed in an operational airport – and doing so with a forward-thinking partner like Hector International – is an exciting milestone for both passenger experience and accessible design.” 

Hector International Airport broke ground in 2024 on a major terminal expansion, renovation of the existing terminal, a new parking ramp and a skyway project. The airport opened the parking ramp in August 2025 and the terminal expansion in February 2026. Crews expect to complete the skyway connecting the ramp to the terminal in late 2026, with renovations to the existing terminal scheduled for completion in early 2027. Local, state and federal partners funded the projects.