Newark’s stunning new Terminal A opens in just 1 week

It’s the day that many Newark-area flyers have been waiting for: The airport’s new 1 million-square-foot Terminal A is officially confirmed to open Jan. 12.

That’s the day when the first flights will start operating from the new facility.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees and manages Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), announced the opening Thursday in the following statement:

The Port Authority is pleased to announce that the first flights in and out of Newark Liberty’s new, world-class Terminal A will commence on January 12th. We look forward to welcoming passengers to this magnificent, state-of-the-art facility, where they will enjoy best-in-class functionality, inspiring public art, delicious local concessions, and a transformative experience from curb to gate.

It wasn’t immediately clear which flights will be first to arrive and depart from the new facility, but we’ll update this story with details as they become available.

The hotly anticipated Newark Terminal A was originally supposed to welcome flyers Dec. 8, 2022. However, the opening was delayed last month due to last-minute issues identified in the facility’s fire alarm and security systems.

At the time, the Port Authority promised an opening in early January, and the agency is now making good on its revised timeline with the Jan. 12 opening.

While the opening coincides with the Thursday before the Martin Luther King Jr. Day federal holiday (Jan. 16), it’ll likely cause less disruption than if the terminal opened just days before one of the busiest holiday travel seasons on record.

Terminal A will be home to Air Canada, American Airlines, JetBlue and United Airlines (only select flights). The Port Authority didn’t announce when each airline would complete its move, and it's not yet clear which United flights will operate from the new facility.

In addition to the four airlines above, Delta Air Lines will move into the new facility later this year when a 12-gate expansion opens.

At the outset, 21 of the terminal’s 33 gates will be operational. Each of the gates is designated as “common use,” which means that any airline can theoretically use any given gate within the terminal.

Newark’s new Terminal A has been in the works since 2018, and it ushers in a new era for an airport that has historically been regarded as one of the worst in the country. At $2.7 billion, the new facility represents the largest single investment in New Jersey by the Port Authority in the agency’s 101-year history.

It spells perhaps the biggest passenger-facing upgrade yet for Newark, and it’ll be a massive improvement compared to the outdated Terminal A (which will close in conjunction with the opening of the new facility).

Despite the delay, the Port Authority already previewed the new facility in mid-November, and it’s poised to bring a slew of improvements to the passenger experience.

This includes an overhauled and modernized check-in experience with centralized security, new spacious gate areas and other flyer-friendly amenities, such as gorgeous art displays and multiple power outlets at each seat.

So, if you’re flying from Terminal A, your Newark Airport experience will receive a major upgrade in the coming days.

Be sure to check out TPG's detailed first-look review for a deep dive into all the upgrades.