News

Inside American’s chic new Newark Admirals Club

Tanner SaundersSenior hotels reporter
Tanner Saunders is a Webby Award-winning senior hotels reporter for TPG based in Brooklyn. He covers everything from breaking hotel news to in-depth features on the world’s best hotels.
Meghna MaharishiAviation Reporter
Meghna Maharishi is an aviation reporter at TPG. She specializes in everything related to airlines, including their day-to-day operations, newly unveiled flight routes and lesser-known aspects of the industry.
also contributed to this story

September 6, 2023 • 8 min read

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Quick summary

A new airline lounge has opened in Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal A, featuring a modern design with local New Jersey and New York influences.
The lounge offers 137 seats across 7,050 square feet, with amenities including a double-sided fireplace, runway views and a variety of seating options.
Food and beverage offerings highlight regional flavors, such as pastrami sliders, black and white cookies and a signature Jersey tomato bloody mary.
The space prioritizes communal seating over private work areas, with only a few semi-private cubbies, two phone booths and a bookable conference room.

What to consider

Access is available through several eligibility methods, including select travel credentials or status.
The lounge is open daily from 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is located near gates A7 and A8 on an upper mezzanine.
Most seating is open and communal, so travelers seeking privacy may find limited options.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed look at the lounge's locally inspired design elements, food and drink menus and tips for making the most of your visit.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)'s lounge game is getting stronger thanks to the opening of American Airlines' all-new Admirals Club in Terminal A.

The lounge is the second to open with the Texas-based airline's new design concept, following the one at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Newark location features 137 seats and measures 7,050 square feet.

The new iterations of American’s Admirals Club lean heavily into locally inspired design elements, and the Newark outpost, designed with IA Interior Architects, was created to feel like a pavilion retreat with subtle nods to Newark and its history.

For example, the entrance to the lounge features a dark, moody wall with the American Airlines logo and metal elements that pay tribute to the area’s many bridges.

Near the bathrooms, a mirrored glass wall is home to beautiful Newark cherry blossoms from Branch Brook Park.

All this to say, the lounge is a big step up for American and American loyalists passing through Newark. It's a great sign for more upcoming lounges in Austin and Denver.

Here’s everything else you need to know about the lounge.

Location, hours and access

The Admirals Lounge is located on an upper mezzanine near gates A7 and A8 and can be accessed via stairs or an elevator. The lounge is clustered together with other lounges, including Delta’s new Sky Club, all of which can easily be found with signage in the terminal.

The Admirals Club is open from 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

There are a handful of ways to get access to American's Admirals Clubs, ranging from holding an eligible credit card to having elite status. To break it all down, check out our handy guide to American Airlines Admirals Club access.

The 'living room' has a stunning fireplace

When entering the lounge’s “living room,” you’ll see a range of finishing touches that pay homage to the New York-New Jersey area.

For example, the new lounge is filled with industrial light fixtures inspired by one of New Jersey’s most famous residents, Thomas Edison. Industrial metal bars that riff off the many bridges of New York City also adorn the lounge.

But similar to the Admirals lounge in DCA, the living room's centerpiece is its double-sided fireplace, which gives the space a cozy and welcoming feel.

Surrounding the fireplaces are plenty of seats, with each accompanied by an outlet, a USB-A port and a USB-C port. Unlike the DCA lounge, these charging ports are located on the front of each side table, making them easier to find.

The living room also features rugs with warm orange and brown hues, taking inspiration from the fall foliage of the Northeast.

Additionally, there's plenty of seating looking out the floor-to-ceiling windows facing the runways, perfect for watching planes land and take off or getting right up close with the planes parked at gates 7 and 8.

Pastrami sliders and Jersey tomato bloody marys

At the back of the lounge, guests will find a full bar with bar stools, a small buffet that changes throughout the day and a handful of dining tables.

During our morning visit, we were able to get a sampling of breakfast options, including a savory quiche tartlet that seemed to replace many lounges' watery scrambled eggs, a Belgian waffle and bacon that wasn’t exactly crispy but still tasted delicious. Other breakfast items include fresh fruit, yogurt, oatmeal and an assortment of breads and pastries.

When breakfast service is over, the all-day menu features New York-centric items like pastrami sliders and the city’s iconic black and white cookies, as well as kale and edamame salad, falafel with cucumber tzatziki, locally sourced meats and cheeses, and various desserts.

Throughout the day, you'll find La Colombe coffee (sadly, not iced), various teas and a touchscreen soda fountain with Coca-Cola products.

At the bar, you’ll find all the standard spirits and beers, but keeping with the local flavors, a signature New Jersey bloody mary featuring vodka, bloody mary mix and Jersey tomatoes is also on the menu. The bloody mary was delicious and tangy, especially with the salted rim. The bar’s IPA on draft comes from New Jersey’s own Flying Fish Brewing in Somerdale.

There's also a secondary row of bar seats at the far backside of the lounge that looks out onto the runways and gates.

More communal than private

Leaning into the homey ambience, American’s Admirals Club in Newark is more of a communal space — the lounge doesn’t have many private workspaces.

Toward the lounge’s entrance are three workstations designed like individual cubbies, but those areas are not completely enclosed. The most private spaces in the lounge are the two phone booths, located right off the entrance, and a conference room that can be booked directly on American’s website for a fee.

Beyond those spaces, much of the lounge’s seating is open.

While there is a wall of seats with minimalistic dividers toward the dining room, those stations lack desks and are front-facing, meaning you’ll still be able to see other passengers and hear any chatter if you’re trying to work.

The bathrooms are sleek

Bathrooms aren't the sexiest places in the world, but big props to American for making the ones in this club about as close to that as you can get. The lighting is bright in the right places, such as around the mirrors, but subtly moody everywhere else.

All the stalls feature large, fully enclosed doors for maximum privacy, which should be expected, but who hasn't been in a public restroom in an airport bathroom where the doors basically have a foot-wide gap?

And, as an extra nice touch, the soap in the bathroom was from New York's D.S. & Durga.

Bottom line

When American rolled out the first iteration of the new Admirals Club in Washington, D.C., it set the bar high — very high. And the new lounge in Newark rose to the occasion. The lounge is chic and modern but simultaneously cozy and comfortable. It's a treat for the eyes and based on the food and drinks we were able to try, on the tastebuds, too.

But what's especially great are the subtle nods to the lounge's locale, from Edison-centric lightbulbs to the beautiful carpets reflecting the area's vibrant fall colors.

We can't wait to see what American turns out for its next lounge trick. As for Newark, we'll be keeping tabs on the upcoming Amex Centurion Lounge, which will be the largest one to date.

Related reading:

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

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Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
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Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)'s lounge game is getting stronger thanks to the opening of American Airlines' all-new Admirals Club in Terminal A.

For example, the entrance to the lounge features a dark, moody wall with the American Airlines logo and metal elements that pay tribute to the area’s many bridges.

Near the bathrooms, a mirrored glass wall is home to beautiful Newark cherry blossoms from Branch Brook Park.

All this to say, the lounge is a big step up for American and American loyalists passing through Newark. It's a great sign for more upcoming lounges in Austin and Denver.

Here’s everything else you need to know about the lounge.

Location, hours and access

The Admirals Club is open from 4 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. daily.

The 'living room' has a stunning fireplace

When entering the lounge’s “living room,” you’ll see a range of finishing touches that pay homage to the New York-New Jersey area.

But similar to the Admirals lounge in DCA, the living room's centerpiece is its double-sided fireplace, which gives the space a cozy and welcoming feel.

The living room also features rugs with warm orange and brown hues, taking inspiration from the fall foliage of the Northeast.

Pastrami sliders and Jersey tomato bloody marys

At the back of the lounge, guests will find a full bar with bar stools, a small buffet that changes throughout the day and a handful of dining tables.

Throughout the day, you'll find La Colombe coffee (sadly, not iced), various teas and a touchscreen soda fountain with Coca-Cola products.

There's also a secondary row of bar seats at the far backside of the lounge that looks out onto the runways and gates.

More communal than private

Leaning into the homey ambience, American’s Admirals Club in Newark is more of a communal space — the lounge doesn’t have many private workspaces.

Beyond those spaces, much of the lounge’s seating is open.

The bathrooms are sleek

And, as an extra nice touch, the soap in the bathroom was from New York's D.S. & Durga.

Bottom line

But what's especially great are the subtle nods to the lounge's locale, from Edison-centric lightbulbs to the beautiful carpets reflecting the area's vibrant fall colors.

We can't wait to see what American turns out for its next lounge trick. As for Newark, we'll be keeping tabs on the upcoming Amex Centurion Lounge, which will be the largest one to date.

Related reading:

Comments

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Location, hours and access

The 'living room' has a stunning fireplace

Pastrami sliders and Jersey tomato bloody marys

More communal than private

The bathrooms are sleek

Bottom line

Comments

Comments

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The best lounges at DFW Airport: Admirals Clubs, Centurion and more

TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Location, hours and access

The 'living room' has a stunning fireplace

Pastrami sliders and Jersey tomato bloody marys

More communal than private

The bathrooms are sleek

Bottom line

Comments

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons