Newark Liberty International Airport Guide | EWR Airport Complete Information

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is considered one of the busiest airports in the world and the main entrance point of the New York region from New Jersey. The airport has recorded 47 million passengers in 2025, which is its third-best year in history, coming second only to 2023 (49.1 million) and 2024 (48.99 million). Located at an elevation of 18 ft above sea level in Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, EWR is served by over 50 airlines flying to destinations across North America, Europe, South America, the Caribbean, and Asia. EWR is a key component of the New York airports, together with JFK and LaGuardia, and the biggest hub of United Airlines in terms of available seat miles. To be quite frank, if you are traveling from the western regions towards Manhattan, EWR offers the most direct route in.

What is Newark Liberty International Airport?

Newark Liberty International Airport, often referred to as EWR or Newark Airport, is one of the major commercial airports in the United States that provides services to the metropolitan area of New York from the New Jersey side of the Hudson River. It is situated in the cities of Newark and Elizabeth, 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Manhattan. 

Key Features:

Historical Overview of EWR

The history of Newark Airport dates back much further than that of most U.S. airports. Groundbreaking on April 1, 1928, was held in a former 68-acre swamp bordering the Passaic River, and the airport was opened just half a year later on October 1, 1928. Originally called Newark Metropolitan Airport, it became the first big airport serving the New York area, the first airport providing commercial air transport services in the United States, and the first one to have a paved runway. It maintained its status as the busiest commercial airport in the world for more than ten years until its position was taken by LaGuardia Airport in 1939 when this airport was opened in Queens.

During the Second World War, the Army Air Corps used the airfield as a logistics base, and it remained closed to any civilian flights until its reopening in 1946. In 1948, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey gained control over the airport and launched an extensive program of extensions and improvements that included an instrument runway, additional terminal buildings, and a control tower. The name of the airport was changed to Newark International Airport at the beginning of the 1970s, and Terminals A and B were built in 1973, and Terminal C in 1988. An airport monorail linking the terminal facilities was opened in 1996 and later extended to connect the facility with a railway station on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor in 2001.

Guide to Terminals & Concourses

Contrary to some of the more recently constructed airport hubs in the nation, EWR has always been an airport with three different terminal buildings instead of one central facility without any connections between them. Passengers who have passed the security checks inside the respective terminal facilities can freely travel from one concourse to another, but moving from Terminal A, B, and C would require the AirTrain or shuttle buses.

• Terminal A is the most recently built at EWR, and it opened in January 2023 as a 1 million square foot facility designed to be able to handle an additional 4 million passengers per year. It primarily deals with domestic and Canadian flights and was voted the best new airport terminal in the world by Skytrax within a month of opening.

• Terminal B is EWR's main international terminal and includes the airport's customs and immigration facilities for inbound passengers. It is also the oldest of the three terminals and dates from 1973; the renovation of this terminal is ongoing through several phases as part of the Port Authority’s capital plan.

• Terminal C is the biggest terminal at EWR and is operated only by United Airlines and United Express. It handles around 68% of all passengers at EWR and acts as a busy hub for United Airlines.

Travelling between the terminals

The Newark AirTrain, a 3-mile-long monorail, connects the terminals A, B, C, the parking facilities, the car rental facility, and the Newark Liberty International Airport train station. Traveling between two neighboring terminals normally takes only a few minutes. There is also the courtesy shuttle bus available for connecting Star Alliance passengers in the secure zone from near gates A28, B68, or C71 without having to clear security again; everyone else will have to leave one terminal, travel by AirTrain or shuttle bus, and re-clear security at the other terminal. 

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Airport Lounges

The EWR airport provides good options for airline and credit card lounges.

Terminal A

Terminal B

Terminal C

Transportation to and from EWR

Nestled in a mere 9 miles away from Manhattan, EWR enjoys the benefit of being much closer to the Big Apple than its two sister airports, but getting stuck in the highway junctions around EWR may cost you some extra time.

• NJ Transit / Amtrak Railway: The rail station of the Newark Liberty International Airport serves as a direct connection point between Amtrak's Northeast Corridor and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor and North Jersey Coast Line railroads, providing for direct access to New York Penn Station, Newark Penn Station, and even to southern destinations, such as Trenton or Philadelphia.

• AirTrain Newark: This free monorail connects all three terminals to the railway station, parking facilities, and car rental agency; going further to NJ Transit or Amtrak will require an AirTrain fare in addition to the train ticket.

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and Taxis: Pick-up and drop-off locations are available at each of the terminals.

• Shared Van/ Shuttle Services: These include door-to-door shuttle services which are provided to and from the airport from any location in both New York City and New Jersey.

• Car Rentals: The Car Rentals are provided out of the Rental Car Facility (ConRAC), which is accessed using the AirTrain, and has roughly 3,360 car spaces that belong to major national car rental companies, along with a separate parking garage for the public.

What makes EWR unique?

Newark's combination of firsts in aviation, its history, and efforts to stay modern make it stand out among many airports around New York City.

• America's First Major Airport: In 1928, EWR became America's first major commercial airport and America's first airport with a paved runway. It stayed as the world's busiest commercial airport for over ten years until LaGuardia was built.

• United's Largest Hub in Seat Miles: United Airlines operates around two-thirds of flights in EWR, and as such, Terminal C (which is only used by United Airlines) is the busiest terminal at the airport.

• Modernization Ongoing: The 2023 opening of the new Terminal A, and the ongoing EWR Vision Plan, a multi-decade and multi-billion dollar development project of Terminal B, the runways, and the next-generation AirTrain, will shape the future of the airport in the decades to come.

Significant Passenger Numbers:

• In 2025, 47 million passengers used EWR airport, its third most successful year due to various problems, including the renovation of the runways and FAA air traffic controllers' staffing issues.

• In 2023, the airport reached its peak passenger volume – 49.1 million people.

• In 2024, Terminal A received the Skytrax award as the World's Best New Airport Terminal, as well as the special UNESCO Prix Versailles prize for the terminal's external design.

Conclusion

While not just "the other" New York City airport, EWR is a key part of American aviation history and a crucial airport in the global route system of United Airlines. It is the main point of entry into New Jersey and one of the quickest ways into Manhattan via train. Knowledge of EWR's terminal layout, lounges, and transportation will greatly simplify your trip through EWR, whether you are flying through Terminal C with United Airlines or coming in from overseas through Terminal B. With Terminal A having recently been upgraded and an ambitious decades-long redevelopment plan currently in place, EWR strives to live up to its legacy as one of the top airports in the nation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques 1: What is the airport code for Newark Liberty International Airport?

Ans: The IATA code of Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR, and its ICAO code is KEWR.

Ques 2: How far is EWR from Manhattan?

Ans: EWR is around 9 miles (14 km) away from Manhattan. Direct NJ Transit and Amtrak trains link the rail station of the airport to New York Penn Station.

Ques 3: Which airlines have EWR as their hub or base?

Ans: The largest United Airlines hub by available seat miles is located at EWR. Spirit Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and JetBlue are also present at the airport.

Ques 4: Can I walk to another terminal at EWR?

Ans: No. There are no walking routes connecting Terminal A, Terminal B, and Terminal C. To change between them, passengers must take the free AirTrain monorail or shuttle bus, and re-clear security.

Ques 5: Is there a train connection from EWR to New York City?

Ans: Yes. There is a direct connection via the AirTrain to the Newark Liberty International Airport rail station, where NJ Transit and Amtrak trains go to New York Penn Station.