It's uncommon to use the words "Newark Airport" and "beautiful" in the same sentence.
You might scarcely trust your eyes, but the airport's new Terminal A has just opened.
The much-awaited new Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) was opened on Tuesday by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which is in charge of the airport.
In the 101-year history of the Port Authority, the new building, valued at $2.7 billion, is the organization's largest-ever investment in New Jersey.
The terminal, which has been in construction since 2018, ushers in a new era for the airport, which has consistently been regarded among the worst in the nation.
It represents maybe Newark's largest passenger-facing makeover to date, and it will be a vast advance over the antiquated Terminal A, which will close in conjunction with the opening of the new facility.
Even though the terminal isn't set to open until December 8, elected officials, business leaders, and journalists were all invited to the grand opening celebration on Tuesday.
We are here today to bury the old Airport A. We will save our appreciation for this new, modern, bright, comfortable, expressive, plainly astonishing Terminal A. Words alone may not adequately explain how much of an upgrade this new terminal is. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy may have stated it best.
Following the ceremony to cut the ribbon, it was time to take a tour of the more than 1 million square foot complex. The facility will open on December 8; here are some things you can expect.
A centralized check-in area
While the new terminal offers many improvements, the first is a central check-in area that can accommodate approximately 14 million passengers annually.
The large new facility may be reached easily from the four-lane drop-off road.
A few curbside check-in booths are located at each end of the road, although most passengers will leave their baggage and check-in inside the terminal instead.
There are six separate check-in docks inside the terminal, one for each of the four airline companies that use it: Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue Airways, and United Airlines.
Although it will also use several of the new terminal's gates, United will continue to run most of its Newark flights out of its hub at Terminal C.
During the second stage of construction, Delta Air Lines will also relocate to the new terminal; further information will be provided soon.
It doesn't take long to see how much the new check-in hall has improved.
The new Terminal A is quite gorgeous, with high ceilings, lots of natural light, and striking artwork.
The departure hall is filled with numerous check-in kiosks, all of which use facial recognition technology.
There are two exclusive premium check-in spaces in the new terminal, while the majority of passengers will check in through a kiosk or desk.
One is already branded for Mint business-class travelers and JetBlue's Mosaic elite members, while the other is not yet customized to any one carrier.
The former, which is located apart from the terminal and has a designated passageway to TSA PreCheck security, is JetBlue's most upscale check-in room to date. It also has a luggage repacking space.
Whichever airline decides to rent this space will have a posh space that is furnished with two fish tanks.
At each pier of gates in the former Terminal A, there were independent security checkpoints.
Due to the increased difficulty of connections, there were backlogs at the busiest departure banks.
Fortunately, there are roughly 30 Transportation Security Administration checkpoints in the new terminal, all of which are reachable from the departures area.
You can enter any gate after passing through security (or after landing in Terminal A) without having to go through screening again.
All possible security channels, including Clear, PreCheck, priority, and general security, will have live security wait times displayed on the digital signage wall hanging above the security checkpoint starting on day one.
Modern computed tomography, or CT, scanners, which always appear to take longer than the older devices, are present in the security lanes.
You will be on the upper level of the departures hall with sweeping views of the terminal once you have passed security.
Immediately beyond security, there is a repacking area.
You will take a series of escalators (or steps, or an elevator) down to the main departure level after gathering your bags.
33 glorious gates
The central plaza area, which is home to gates A7, A8, A27, and A28, is reached once you approach the main departure level.
You may access gates A29 through A34 from the North Concourse by going to the left, and the South Concourse by turning to the right (home to gates A1 through A6).
You may reach the East Concourse and gates A9 through A26 by keeping to the right.
After security, Terminal A will be linked to Terminals B and C by an airside shuttle bus that will leave from a ground stand close to Gate A28.
While the physical space is a vast improvement over Terminal A as it was, the amount of natural light may be the most significant change. This makes the area much more hospitable.
The terminal is even sprinkled with a few trees and tiny gardens.
The signage, which is now color-coded and uses an updated, more readable typeface, is another significant improvement.
The Central Plaza, which is the intersection of the three piers, is home to a variety of concessionaires, eateries, and retail establishments.
Many of the merchants are from the Newark and New Jersey area and feature well-known brands like Playa Bowls and Jersey & Co. gelato.
Along with additional dining and shopping opportunities, the terminal is home to well-known national chains like Dunkin' and Starbucks.
The Port Authority placed a significant emphasis on adding local artwork throughout the terminal; 29 local artists contributed to the new works.
The "Forest of Firsts," a collection of digital pylons in the center of Central Plaza that honor New Jersey's "firsts" in a variety of human accomplishments, including science, literature, energy, and film, will likely be the most well-known.
Other artwork can be found all over the terminal, including murals above the restrooms, paintings next to most gates, and two sets of circular capsules hung in the main arrivals and departures hall.
On the mezzanine floor above the concessions, the Central Plaza will also house three airline lounges.
An American Admirals Club and a Delta Sky Club will be located on the south side of the lounge area, while a new United Club, which will also accept qualified passengers from Air Canada and other Star Alliance airlines, will be located on the north side of this area.
When the terminal opens on December 8, these lounges won't be available, so we'll be sure to provide more information after they do.
The terminal will also have a piano lounge, a jazz-themed bar, and a speakeasy-themed cocktail lounge in addition to the distinctive American Express Centurion Lounge with views of the Port of Newark, New York Harbor, Newark Harbor, and the Manhattan skyline.
Amex is also preparing various food buffets, workstations, and wellness areas.
The North Concourse, which houses the Amex lounge, will open in the summer of 2023 as part of the second building phase.
21 of the 33 gates at the terminal will be open when it opens.
Since every gate in the terminal is marked as "common use," any airline could theoretically use any of the individual gates.
There is sufficient room for seating at each gate as well as throughout the terminal.
Throughout the space are coworking tables, individual chairs, recliners, and benches.
A USB-A and USB-C port, as well as a power outlet, are accessible from every seat.
At the conclusion of the Eastern Concourse, close to gates A18 and A19, there is even a designated children's play area.
Additionally, the entire facility has quick, cost-free Wi-Fi that is accessible without a password.
Around 20 Mbps were measured for both download and upload.
Many of the gates have real-time digital signage that can be updated with current flight information and other crucial details.
Additionally, this will make it simpler for airlines to switch between gates as needed.
The restrooms in the new terminal also received significant refurbishment.
Every one of them has a distinctive motif, from the beach to the mountains to the city of Newark itself.
All of the toilets in the terminal have numerous stalls, tall ceilings, and (working) sinks.
Even better, compared to the existing state of affairs in the old Terminal A, there seem to be restrooms almost wherever you look.
Floor-to-ceiling windows with fantastic tarmac views can be seen throughout the terminal, which will definitely appeal to aviation fans.
Go to Gate A18 for breathtaking views of the airport's south runways and the Manhattan skyline in the background if you want to get as close to "the action" as you can.
Welcome to Newark.
The new terminal will provide a significant improvement for arriving travelers as well.
There are two exits at the Central Plaza that you can use to get to the baggage claim area when you get off the plane; one is close to the North Concourse and the other is close to the South Concourse.
Six luggage claims are located on the ground level, where you will descend.
While you wait for your bags, you have plenty of room to wander around or sit.
While you're waiting, you might also notice the welcoming "NJ" lettering in the colors of yellow, blue, and purple.
If you have any problems with your checked bags, each airline will have a baggage services office in the arrivals area.
You'll move outside to the pickup curb, which is divided into six lanes, after being reunited with your possessions.
Uber, Lyft, hotel shuttles, and private automobiles all have designated pickup locations.
Alternatively, a covered walkway from the terminal will soon go straight to the new consolidated rental car (ConRac) and parking garage facilities, which will open the following year, if you are renting a car or you parked your automobile at the airport.
The future of Newark
The grand inauguration of Newark's new Terminal A is the following step now that it has been revealed, and it is scheduled for December 8.
On December 7, the final flight will leave from the current Terminal A, and thereafter the building will be permanently shut down and dismantled.
The new Terminal A will debut its first phase on December 8.
The second phase of development, which will contain 12 additional gates, is still under construction by the Port Authority and will increase the total number of gates to 33.
The second phase will open in stages throughout 2023, along with certain finishing touches in the first phase (such as the three airline lounges and several concessionaires).
When the second phase is finished, Terminal A will have 33 gates, which will be enough space for Delta Air Lines to relocate from its current location in Terminal B to Terminal A.
Even better news for Newark Airport exists in addition to the mere weeks that it will take for Terminal A to become operational.
The Port Authority recently announced that it had chosen a master planner to create a modernization plan for the airport.
Although there are few details at this time, the Port Authority is serious about implementing significant infrastructure upgrades at Newark, which appear to involve a future renovation of the current Terminal B and probably Terminal C as well, based on statements made at Tuesday's announcement.
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