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Flying out from EWR Airport Terminal A? If you have flown via EWR Terminal A some years back, it’s time to forget whatever you remember about the terminal. The terminal underwent a complete rebuild in 2023, and you’ll be welcomed by a completely new one-million-sq-ft building of glass, light, and legroom.
If your last visit to the terminal took you through overcrowded gates and low ceilings, this time you are in for a surprise. The terminal awaits you with first-class amenities and exquisite artworks. The terminal comprises many lounges, restaurants, stores, and family-friendly facilities that can put any traveler at ease.
The passenger traffic at Newark Terminal A increased significantly after the rebuild, handling around 15 million passengers in its first year of operation, 5 million more passengers than the older building. What airlines operate from this terminal? What are your options here to relax, dine, or shop? Our EWR Terminal A guide will give you the answers!
Source: maps.newarkairport.com
EWR Airport Terminal A comprises three levels - 1, 2, and 3. Level 1 connects to the parking area. Level 1 handles arrivals, baggage claim, and ground transportation. Security, check-in, and gate access are on Level 3. The terminal has a total of 33 gates clustered into three areas: Gates A1-A7 (south), A8-A28 (east), and A29-A34 (north).
The original EWR Terminal A opened in 1973. For nearly five decades, the terminal handled a mounting share of the airport’s domestic traffic. However, by 2010, the terminal became overcrowded and outdated, with limited seating, low ceilings, and a layout that couldn’t handle heavy passenger traffic. This gave EWR a reputation as one of the least attractive airports in the US.
So, in the mid-2010s, the Port Authority decided to rebuild the terminal. The new terminal was constructed in stages so that the old terminal could continue operating throughout. The fully rebuilt Newark Terminal A opened in January 2023 at a cost of around $2.7 billion. The terminal is built in a way that it can expand the number of gates from 33 to 45 when passenger traffic surges.
Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines are the major carriers operating out of EWR Terminal A. Some of United Airlines’ domestic and regional flights operate from this terminal. However, most of United’s flights operate out of Newark Terminal C.
Unlike EWR Terminals B and C, this terminal has only one central security checkpoint. So, once you’re through security, you can walk freely between the terminal’s three gate sections. Before heading to the airport, we recommend checking the EWR flight status, as the flight schedules can change due to unexpected delays.
| Airlines at EWR Terminal A |
|---|
| Air Canada |
| American Airlines |
| Delta Air Lines |
| JetBlue |
| United Airlines |
EWR Terminal A has only one security checkpoint and often has the shortest TSA wait times among all the terminals, due to the smaller number of flight operations. Typically, wait times at Terminal A are around 5-10 minutes for standard lines and below 5 minutes if you have TSA PreCheck. However, these can vary based on the time or season of your travel. For instance, the wait times can surge to around 20-40 minutes during rush hours. The busiest days for the terminal are often Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Try to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled flight time. But we always recommend checking the live EWR TSA wait times before heading to the airport so that you can plan it better.
These are some of the facilities that you can experience while navigating through this terminal.
Terminal A Short-Term Parking is the onsite garage offering the closest parking to the terminal. The parking rates in this garage start at $5.25 for the first 30 minutes and go up to a maximum of $65 a day. For the cheapest onsite parking, you can park in the P6 Economy Parking lot, which costs $35 a day. However, for the cheapest Newark Airport parking rates, you should always reserve parking at one of the offsite lots nearby. Most offsite lots even offer a free round-trip shuttle service.
Planning to relax before your flight? These are the lounges available at EWR Terminal A for you to relax or dine.
| Lounge | Terminal A location |
|---|---|
| United Club | Near Gate A27 |
| American Airlines Admirals Club | Near Gate A8 |
| Delta Sky Club | Near Gate A8 |
You can locate most of EWR Terminal A’s dining and shopping options in the central plaza after security, along with a few grab-and-go options close to the individual gates. These are some of the restaurants and shops you can find inside the terminal.
| Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Boardwalk | Near Terminal A exit | Shopping |
| InMotion Entertainment | Near Gate A22 | Shopping |
| LEGO | Near Gate A28 | Shopping |
| Play the Field | Central Plaza | Shopping |
| The Atrium | Near Gates A3 and A27 | Shopping |
| Just Jersey | Near Gate A7 | Shopping |
| New Jersey Monthly | Near Gate A15 and Carousel 5 | Shopping |
| Shore Points Market | Near Gate A9 | Shopping |
| Carlito’s Barbeque Taqueria | Near Gate A16 | Food |
| D’Taco Joint | Central Plaza | Food |
| Ess-A-Bagel | Near Gate A15 | Food |
| Mediterranean Grill | Central Plaza | Food |
| Playa Bowls | Food Court | Food |
| Smoke House BBQ | Near Gate A27 | Food |
| TOWN Bar + Kitchen | Near Gate A6 | Food |
| Zaro’s Family Bakery | Near Gate A8 | Food |
You can locate Uber and Lyft pickups on the Arrivals level, across the street from EWR Terminal A. Once you are outside, make sure you follow the signs for rideshare pickup. Taxis line up for pickup at the curbside on the same Arrivals level. Before getting in, make sure the driver’s license plate matches your app, and don’t forget to collect your bags before you head outside.
To get to Newark Terminal B or C, you can use the free, 24/7 AirTrain. EWR Terminal A AirTrain station isn’t directly connected to the terminal, so you should allow some extra time to reach it. You can reach the AirTrain station by taking the airport shuttle or using the pedestrian walkway, which takes about 5 to 15 minutes.
If you’re connecting to a United or Star Alliance flight in Terminal C, inquire at your gate about the airside shuttle near Gate A28. The shuttle operates directly to Terminal C without requiring you to exit security and re-enter, unlike the standard AirTrain route.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, JetBlue, and United are the airlines that operate from Newark Airport Terminal A.
No, United’s primary hub at EWR is Terminal C. However, some domestic flights by United Airlines operate from Newark Terminal A.
Terminal A spans 1 million square feet across three levels and has 33 gates.
Yes, there is a United Club near Gate A27.
Delta Air Lines operates out of Newark Airport Terminal A.
No, you cannot walk between Newark Terminal A and C as the terminals are located in two separate buildings on the airfield.
Newark Airport Terminal A typically opens daily at 4 a.m., coinciding with the opening of its security checkpoint before the first departing flights.