I went inside Newark's new $3 billion Terminal A that completely transforms the airport — see what it was like

Brittany ChangJan 14, 2023, 17:32 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

I went to Newark Liberty International Airport's newest $2.7 billion Terminal A.
Newark's latest addition has 33 gates, facial recognition systems, and seats that look like park benches.

After over a month of delay, Newark Liberty International Airport's new Terminal A finally opened its doors to travelers on January 12.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And when I visited during its opening day, I was surprised to find a bright and modern terminal that makes navigating the notorious New York area airport just a little easier.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And when I visited during its opening day, I was surprised to find a bright and modern terminal that makes navigating the notorious New York area airport just a little easier.

This new $2.7 billion project replaced the original Terminal A which opened 50 years ago.

Brittany Chang/Insider

It's now New Jersey's biggest "design-build" project …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and the largest investment the state has ever received from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The one-million-square-foot terminal — 175,000 square-feet larger than its predecessor — has 33 gates with the ability to handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers annually.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The one-million-square-foot terminal — 175,000 square-feet larger than its predecessor — has 33 gates with the ability to handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers annually.

By the end of this month, 21 gates will be used by Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines, a spokesperson told Insider in an email.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Delta will join this collection of four airlines later this year.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the remaining 12 gates will go into operation before the end of 2023.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I toured a section of the nearly $3 billion terminal with other members of the media on the first day it began operations.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And while we weren't allowed to venture too deep into the departures hall, I was impressed with what little I saw.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Here, several spaces were sensor-enabled and "smart," including check-in, security, and the doors of departure gates.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Even the ticketing counters and "e-Gates" used facial recognition software that could verify the traveler's identity, the spokesperson said.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Technology aside, the terminal's design looked equally modern.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The sprawling check-in hall had tall ceilings and white walls that reflected the bright natural light on a cloudy day.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There were plenty of self check-in and bag drop kiosks that accompanied the traditional check-in counters.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And the 16 lanes of Transportation Security Administration checkpoints were located just behind the long rows of check-in counters and kiosks.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Unfortunately, long lines and a morning power outage stalled security checkpoints in the morning, causing some travelers to miss their flights, Colleen Wilson reported for NorthJersey.com

Brittany Chang/Insider

Unfortunately, long lines and a morning power outage stalled security checkpoints in the morning, causing some travelers to miss their flights, Colleen Wilson reported for NorthJersey.com

But moving forward, hopefully, all of these tech-enabled spaces will make the check-in and security process more streamlined.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Past security and into the departures hall, Terminal A looked refreshed with more towering windows and modern panels on the ceiling.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Like any airport, art from local artists lined several walls …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… while plenty of stores helped travelers pass the time.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I was only allowed to tour a small section of the departures hall but it was enough to give me a glimpse into the dining and retail selection.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There, I saw recognizable brands like Shake Shack, Kiehl's, and Starbucks …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… as well as a "boardwalk" with tacos, Mediterranean fare, and Jersey Mike's Subs, the latter a fitting addition to the New Jersey airport.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But if these don't satisfy a traveler's appetite, there are 15 other dining options like Ess-a-Bagel and Playa Bowls.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Travelers who want to embrace the New Jersey motif prevalent throughout the terminal can shop local right inside the airport.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Five stores local to the surrounding area — like a cookie and a gelato shop — lined a small walkway by the entrance of the departure hall.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in my opinion, food aside, the hallmark of a convenient terminal is easy access to power outlets.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I'm constantly frustrated by old terminals that have broken outlets or almost no outlets at all.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Charging my devices is always high on my to-do list before I board a flight.

Brittany Chang/Insider

So when we toured around the airport seating next to gate A27, I was happy to see plenty of underseat outlets and USB ports glowing bright blue.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Almost every seat had access to a power source.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And unlike the traditional airport seating arrangement shown below, there were no long rows of grey seats (at least not at gate A27).

The new gate space at Terminal 8.Taylor Rains/Insider

I can't speak for the other gates in Terminal A, but gate A27's seats were sectioned into smaller clusters, making the public seating feel less dense.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Some of the seats even resembled park benches with small built-in tables.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Outside, there were four lanes of curb traffic for a more streamlined pickup and drop-off process …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… designated Uber and Lyft sections …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and bright screens that denoted commute times and local transportation.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Air travel certainly isn't known to be sustainable.

Brittany Chang/Insider

So to help cut back on emissions, the new terminal uses some environmentally friendly tech like solar panels and electric buses.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Navigating packed airports is almost never a fun process.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But a terminal as modern, bright, and eye-catching as this new project could make the travel experience just a bit less painful …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… as long as there's not another power outage slowing down security, of course.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And while I don't look forward to waiting in long TSA lines and paying for overpriced food …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… I wouldn't mind doing so in a terminal as modern as EWR's new Terminal A.

Brittany Chang/Insider

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I went inside Newark's new $3 billion Terminal A that completely transforms the airport &mdash; see what it was like

After over a month of delay, Newark Liberty International Airport's new Terminal A finally opened its doors to travelers on January 12.

And when I visited during its opening day, I was surprised to find a bright and modern terminal that makes navigating the notorious New York area airport just a little easier.

This new $2.7 billion project replaced the original Terminal A which opened 50 years ago.

It's now New Jersey's biggest "design-build" project …

… and the largest investment the state has ever received from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

The one-million-square-foot terminal — 175,000 square-feet larger than its predecessor — has 33 gates with the ability to handle an estimated 13.6 million passengers annually.

By the end of this month, 21 gates will be used by Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue, and United Airlines, a spokesperson told Insider in an email.

Delta will join this collection of four airlines later this year.

And the remaining 12 gates will go into operation before the end of 2023.

I toured a section of the nearly $3 billion terminal with other members of the media on the first day it began operations.

And while we weren't allowed to venture too deep into the departures hall, I was impressed with what little I saw.

Here, several spaces were sensor-enabled and "smart," including check-in, security, and the doors of departure gates.

Even the ticketing counters and "e-Gates" used facial recognition software that could verify the traveler's identity, the spokesperson said.

Technology aside, the terminal's design looked equally modern.

The sprawling check-in hall had tall ceilings and white walls that reflected the bright natural light on a cloudy day.

There were plenty of self check-in and bag drop kiosks that accompanied the traditional check-in counters.

And the 16 lanes of Transportation Security Administration checkpoints were located just behind the long rows of check-in counters and kiosks.

Unfortunately, long lines and a morning power outage stalled security checkpoints in the morning, causing some travelers to miss their flights, Colleen Wilson reported for NorthJersey.com

But moving forward, hopefully, all of these tech-enabled spaces will make the check-in and security process more streamlined.

Past security and into the departures hall, Terminal A looked refreshed with more towering windows and modern panels on the ceiling.

Like any airport, art from local artists lined several walls …

… while plenty of stores helped travelers pass the time.

I was only allowed to tour a small section of the departures hall but it was enough to give me a glimpse into the dining and retail selection.

There, I saw recognizable brands like Shake Shack, Kiehl's, and Starbucks …

… as well as a "boardwalk" with tacos, Mediterranean fare, and Jersey Mike's Subs, the latter a fitting addition to the New Jersey airport.

But if these don't satisfy a traveler's appetite, there are 15 other dining options like Ess-a-Bagel and Playa Bowls.

Travelers who want to embrace the New Jersey motif prevalent throughout the terminal can shop local right inside the airport.

Five stores local to the surrounding area — like a cookie and a gelato shop — lined a small walkway by the entrance of the departure hall.

But in my opinion, food aside, the hallmark of a convenient terminal is easy access to power outlets.

I'm constantly frustrated by old terminals that have broken outlets or almost no outlets at all.

Charging my devices is always high on my to-do list before I board a flight.

So when we toured around the airport seating next to gate A27, I was happy to see plenty of underseat outlets and USB ports glowing bright blue.

Almost every seat had access to a power source.

And unlike the traditional airport seating arrangement shown below, there were no long rows of grey seats (at least not at gate A27).

I can't speak for the other gates in Terminal A, but gate A27's seats were sectioned into smaller clusters, making the public seating feel less dense.

Some of the seats even resembled park benches with small built-in tables.

Outside, there were four lanes of curb traffic for a more streamlined pickup and drop-off process …

… designated Uber and Lyft sections …

… and bright screens that denoted commute times and local transportation.

Air travel certainly isn't known to be sustainable.

So to help cut back on emissions, the new terminal uses some environmentally friendly tech like solar panels and electric buses.

Navigating packed airports is almost never a fun process.

But a terminal as modern, bright, and eye-catching as this new project could make the travel experience just a bit less painful …

… as long as there's not another power outage slowing down security, of course.

And while I don't look forward to waiting in long TSA lines and paying for overpriced food …

… I wouldn't mind doing so in a terminal as modern as EWR's new Terminal A.

I went inside Newark's new $3 billion Terminal A that completely transforms the airport — see what it was like