In the same sentence, the words "Newark Airport" and "stunning" aren't usually used.
You may not believe your eyes when you see the new terminal.
The Newark Liberty International Airport is managed by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The new facility is the largest investment in New Jersey by the Port Authority. The airport has been ranked one of the worst in the country in the past, but the new terminal will change that.
Newark's Terminal A will close in conjunction with the opening of the new facility in order to make way for the biggest passenger-facing upgrade yet.
Elected officials, executives and members of the media were invited to attend the grand opening event on Tuesday, even though the terminal isn't opening until Thursday.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said "we are here today to bury the old Terminal A." We will save our praise for this new terminal.
After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, it was time to tour the more than one million square foot facility.
A centralized check-in hall is the first upgrade that the new terminal brings.
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Directly into the new facility is the four lane drop off roadway. Most flyers will check in inside the terminal at either end of the road, but there are a few curbside check-in desks.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There are six check-in piers for each of the four airlines at the terminal.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The majority of United's Newark flights will remain at Terminal C, but it will occupy some gates in the new terminal.
During the second phase of construction, Delta Air Lines will be moving into the new terminal.
The new check-in hall has a lot of improvements. The new Terminal A is stunningly beautiful, from the soaring ceilings to the eye-catching artwork.
There are a lot of check-in kiosks around the departures hall.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There are two premium check-in areas in the new terminal where most passengers will check in.
One is already branded for the Mosaic elites and the other for the Mint business class flyers.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The most exclusive check-in area I have seen to date is the one that is separated from the terminal.
There are two fish tanks in the latter, and it will be a good spot for whichever airline chooses to lease it.
Each pier of gates had individual security checkpoints. This made connections much more difficult.
The new terminal has a lot of security checkpoint that are accessible from the departures area. After you clear security, you can get to any gate without having to be screened again.
Live security wait times for Clear, Precheck, priority and general security will be displayed on the wall above the security checkpoint.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The security lanes feature the new computed tomography, orCT, scans, which seem to take longer than the older machines.
The upper level of the departures hall has a panoramic view of the terminal.
There is a re packing area near security. The main departures level has escalators and stairs leading to it.
The central plaza area is home to Gates A7, A8, A 27 and A28.
The North and South Concourses are home to Gates A29 through A34 and Gates A1 through A6, respectively.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Heading straight will take you to the East Concourse.
The shuttle bus will leave from a ground stand near Gate A28.
The physical facility is a night and day improvement over the existing Terminal A, but the amount of natural light that makes the space more inviting is the biggest upgrade.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The terminal has small gardens and trees.
The sign language is color-coded in a more readable style.
There is a mix of concessionaires, restaurants and retail stores in the central plaza at the center of the piers.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Popular names such as Playa Bowls and Jersey & Co. are located in Newark and New Jersey.
You can find a variety of dining and retail options in the terminal.
29 local artists were involved in the creation of the new pieces for the terminal.
There are digital pylons located in the middle of the Central Rotunda that celebrate New Jersey's "firsts" across multiple human endeavors.
There are murals above the restroom, paintings near most gates, and two sets of circular capsule hanging in the main departures and arrivals hall.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Three airline lounges will be located on the top floor of the Central Plaza.
Eligible Air Canada and other Star Alliance flyers will be welcome on the north side of the lounge area, which will be dedicated to a new United Club.
We will be sure to follow up with more information once these lounges open.
The American Express lounge at the terminal will feature views of the Port of Newark, New York and Newark Harbor and the Manhattan skyline. Amex is planning a number of food buffets.
The second phase of construction will lead to the opening of the Amex lounge in the summer of23.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Twenty-one of the terminal's gates will be operational at the beginning. Any airline can theoretically use any of the gates within the terminal if they choose to.
There are plenty of comfortable seats throughout the terminal and individual gates.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Recliners and benches can be found throughout the facility. The seats are close to a power outlet, a port and a computer.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There is a dedicated children's play area at the end of the Eastern Concourse.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Fast and free wi-fi is available at the facility. The download and upload speeds were measured.
Digital signs can be updated in real time to reflect current flight status and other important information. It will be simpler for airlines to shift between gates.
The new terminal had a major upgrade to the restroom. The themes range from the beach to the mountains to the city of Newark.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
There are a lot of stalls, sinks, and ceilings in the terminal's restrooms. Compared to the current situation in the old Terminal A, there seems to be a restroom almost everywhere you go.
All of the windows in the terminal have great tarmac views.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
Gate A18 has great views of the airport's south runways with the Manhattan skyline in the background.
The new terminal will have a large upgrade for arriving passengers.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The baggage claim area is accessible from two exits in the Central Plaza.
Six claims baggage can be found at the ground level. As you wait for your bags, there is plenty of room to move.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
You can see the NJ letters welcoming you to New Jersey while you wait.
If you have an issue with your luggage, each airline will have an office in the arrivals area.
The pick-up curb is divided into six lanes and you can make your way to it after you have been able to get your belongings.
Private cars and hotel shuttles can be picked up at one of the designated pickup points.
The Points Guy is Zak Firth.
The new consolidated rental car and parking garage facility will open next year and will allow you to take a covered passageway from the terminal to the facility.
The grand opening of the new Terminal A at Newark will take place on December 8th.
The terminal will be demolished after the last flight leaves in December.
The first phase of the new terminal will open in December. 12 new gates will bring the total to 33 in the second phase of construction.
The second phase, along with some final touches in the first phase, will open to the public at points throughout the following decade.
Delta Air Lines will be able to move into Terminal A from Terminal B once the second phase is completed.
Newark airport will get even more good news when Terminal A opens in a few weeks.
A masterplanner was selected by the Port Authority to develop a plan for modernizing the airport.
The Port Authority is serious about making major infrastructure changes at Newark, which, based on the remarks on Tuesday, seem to include an upcoming overhaul of the existing Terminal B and possibly Terminal C, too.
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