Newark airport’s new, and very Jersey, Terminal A opens today. Everything you need to know. (2024)

It’s 1-million square-feet in size, has 21 gates, screams “you are in New Jersey” through art, food and decor, and has the kind of space and amenities that fliers using Newark Liberty International Airport’s old Terminal A could only dream about.

Wake up. The era of Newark airport’s new Terminal A is dawning today.

The $2.7 billion Terminal A finally opens to air travelers on Thursday after its opening was delayed from Dec. 8 to square away issues with fire alarms and other safety systems.

While much has been written about the massive improvement that the new terminal is compared to the 1970s era building it replaces, here’s some information travelers need to know about using the new Terminal A. Visitors can also find a guide on the Port Authority’s Newark airport website.

Old Terminal A is closed as of Jan. 12, and all operations will be moved to the new building, said CherylAnn Abienz, a Port Authority spokeswoman. Kiss it goodbye. More space, better amenities and less confusion await flyers in the new terminal.

Driving there

Road signs have been erected at the airport to will direct drivers to the new Terminal A, she said.

Drivers can use these coordinates to get directions: 6 Earhart Drive, Newark, NJ 07114. GPS Coordinates –40.68401346398805, -74.18862113251812.

Watch the signs

The new terminal features many “dynamic” video signs that tell drivers where departure drop-off areas are for various airlines. The roadway and sidewalks at the drop-off areas are wider, intended to relieve traffic congestion between arriving and departing vehicles at the new terminal. While it’s a new building, the old rules still apply about no parking, it’s a load or unload and go zone.

Parking

The hulking 2,700 space Consolidated Parking and Rental Car building, also known as CONRAC, will be open for parking on Jan. 12, but not for rental cars, Abienz said. The new parking garage is connected to Terminal A by a long, enclosed pedestrian bridge. It also has charging stations for electric vehicles.

The facility that consolidates 10 rental car facilities under one roof will open later in the year, she said.

With the closing of the old Terminal A on Jan. 12, the existing Short Term Parking A lot will also close to new customers when new Terminal A opens, so don’t try to park there after Thursday.

Port Authority parking pre-booking is available for the new Terminal A and provides a cost savings compared to drive up parking rates. The airport and parking websites also provides information about parking availability in the daily, short term and economy lots.

What if you parked at the old Terminal A?

There will be a shuttle bus from the new Terminal A to get you back to your vehicle in the old Terminal A short term parking lot. Travelers should follow the ground transportation signs to Curb 3 Loading Zone 15 to take the bus marked Short Term Parking, operated by Country Club.

Travelers should ask the driver if they are on the correct bus to the short term parking lot, since several different buses pick up in that loading area at Terminal A.

Getting there by mass transit

NJ Transit and Amtrak Northeast Corridor line passengers will continue to take the AirTrain-monorail to the airport, but they will get off at a different stop, the former P2 stop which has been renamed to Terminal A. To actually get to the terminal, passengers can take a free shuttle bus, which runs every five to seven minutes. That ride takes four minutes according to the Port Authority.

Passengers who want to get their daily steps in can walk, the new Terminal A is a .35 mile, 14-minute walk from the AirTrain station. Pedestrians can access the pedestrian bridge to the terminal by taking an elevator to Floor 2 of the parking garage.

Other ground transportation

Travelers can access the five NJ Transit bus routes, airport shuttle buses, cabs and Uber/Lyft for hire vehicles and hotel shuttles by following signs to the ground transportation area. Be sure to check digital-video signs for the precise loading zone for each transportation mode because they change.

Check-in

Welcome to the future. The new Terminal A is loaded with self-check-in and self-bag check kiosks, in addition to traditional check-in counters staffed by people. Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines are the first to operate from the new terminal.

A very Jersey experience

The new Terminal A has 60 different restaurants and retail shops, with several from Newark, Elizabeth and Jersey City featured.

Unlike the old terminal, there is room for grand public art with dozens of works by artists from Newark and around the state. That theme continues with a mural in the back of the ground level floor paying tribute to New Jerseyans, including some who’ve spent their careers working at Newark Airport.

The rest rooms are Jersey-themed, with maps of cities in the region, photos of a forest or waves at the beach in bathroom stalls — depending which section of the airport you’re in. There is also a Jersey-centric art show scrolling across a giant video screen across a wall over the TSA checkpoint.

RECOMMENDEDnj.com

Settlements in fatal NJ Transit train station crash top $22 millionOct. 8, 2024, 12:51 p.m.
U.S. issues travel advisory to this African nation due to disease outbreak, violenceOct. 3, 2024, 7:05 p.m.

Travelers also will encounter a free standing high resolution video art installation that display Jersey-centric quizzes and facts about science and technology.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Newark airport’s new, and very Jersey, Terminal A opens today. Everything you need to know. (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6492

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.