New York City - UA's Terminal A EWR - Potentially Worst Terminal In America?

Been awhile since I have had the fortune of flying out of Terminal A at EWR. What a nightmare. From understaffed check in desks with no boarding pass kiosks in sight to security lines with waits of around 25+ minutes and dilapidated boarding areas packed with people and no where to sit. Doesn't help that B8 also shares the concourse. The only savior was not having bags to check and having a mobile boarding pass.

I've never really been a fan of Newark but UA needs to tear this place down and build something modern. Or at least add a United club underground or something - even TSA PreCheck would be a welcome addition.

Am I missing something? Are there any tricks? Is Terminal C check in quicker and then bus over here?

The Port Authority of NY&NJ which own Terminal A are planning to replace by 2018.

http://www.bergergroup.com/?p=open_work&type=work&id=150&t=Newark_Liberty_International_Airport

I am a huge fan of Terminal A at Newark. I wish they would the entire operation to Terminal A.

I take it you've flown out of Terminal 2 or 3 at JFK.

...Or at least add a United club underground or something - even TSA PreCheck would be a welcome addition.

Am I missing something? Are there any tricks? Is Terminal C check in quicker and then bus over here?Often it is quicker to clear security theatre at EWR-A than it is at EWR-C. As far as missing something is c:)ncerned, there is in fact a Red Presidents Club (aka United Club) in terminal A.

For the NYC area airports... The worst terminals IMO...

1. LGA CTB terminal [central terminal and rats live under the heater in the food court]

2. DL terminals at JFK, especially terminal 3. If you will fly in/out of T3, please say hi to the pigeons for me.

3. EWR terminal A

I have never flown out of the Marine terminal at LGA but I have heard it is a mess too.

EWR Terminal A - At least it's not JKF.

EWR Terminal A - At least it's not IAD C/D concourse.

It's often referred to as:
Terminal Assylum

At least in the XJet wing [A2], the UC is decent and it has a shower ^

Doesn't help that B8 also shares the concourse.

B6 will be moving to A-1 by the beginning of next year and UA will take its two gates at A-2 to occupy the entire rotunda. The A-1 United Club (former RCC) will likely close, although there are rumors that Air Canada is interested in both the EWR A-1 former RCC and LGA former Presidents Club. Time will tell, but the B6/UA gate swap is essentially a done deal.

As far as alleviating concerns about the UAX operation at A-2, well, it won't make a damn bit of difference, save for eliminating a bus ride for some connecting pax. The United Express dedicated gate areas at the East Coast hubs (EWR/IAD) are highly unpleasant.

I've never really been a fan of Newark but UA needs to tear this place down and build something modern. Or at least add a United club underground or something

The Port Authority proposed fast-tracking the EWR/A (to be a common-use facility) and LGA CTB replacement projects about a year ago, but decided to postpone both due to the authority's strained financial situation. The PANYNJ has billions tied up in major capital projects like the WTC, PATH upgrades, and other infrastructure programs, so airports are on the losing end right now.

There is a United Club midway along the connector from the landside building to the A-2 rotunda. It is awkwardly placed along the security checkpoint, so it requires backtracking if you come out further down the walkway. It's a fairly spacious facility with showers but otherwise is standard-issue Presidents Club.

JFK T2/3 and LGA-B (aka Central terminal) are faaaaaaar worse than EWR-A.

EWR-C is not "state of the art", but i'd say it's airy spacious and clean.

In terms of an Express terminal, IAD Terminal A is much worse. At least it is 1 flt per actual gate at EWR. IAD is a mad scramble to board 3 flights from one door within 15 minutes and no one knows anything.

2. DL terminals at JFK, especially terminal 3. If you will fly in/out of T3, please say hi to the pigeons for me.

Just be glad they didn't poop onto the customers below.

Just when i thought Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown is ghetto .... JFK T3 bring a whole new meaning.

The best part - there are nutters out there insisting on preserving the PanAm Worldport because they think it has equal symbolic significance as the old JFK T-5 for TWA. And look at that Saarinen building today - architectually iconic, but totally wasting space.

In terms of an Express terminal, IAD Terminal A is much worse. At least it is 1 flt per actual gate at EWR. IAD is a mad scramble to board 3 flights from one door within 15 minutes and no one knows anything.

Especially with the Air Whiskey crew running the show. Apparently, they do not know how to use the GIDS properly, so we never know which flight is boarding right now.

Moving this to the NYC forum.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

I'd would agree. Thank God for the AA AC. In that concourse (AA/USAir) there is one bathroom. There is a line in the morning that looks like something to get into the hottest NYC club. My suggestion is to do your "business" pre security.

At least for AA/US if they merge putting operations together at EWR will be a cinch.

What terminal does the Lima flight leave from in EWR?
.

Regarding the original issue of Terminal A, it won't help with how Terminal A is but there is (I believe still is) an airside shuttle service between A and C so you can spend more of your time in Terminal C, which is pretty nice, and then head over to A at the last minute.

I'm sure there will be no shortage of people here to correct me if I am wrong!

Terminal A isn't the greatest, but PANYNJ seems to be taking steps to improve what they can before the wholesale replacement later this decade. I can't speak to the A2 pier, but A1 (AC, WN) has new (and, honestly, pretty good) concession options - a non-Starbucks coffee bar, Hudson News, a Boars Head deli counter (fresh deli sandwiches FTW!), a mexican bar/restaurant and the grab & go kiosk. The only thing missing is an ATM, strangely. The whole setup for security still kinda sucks, tho.

I take it you've flown out of Terminal 2 or 3 at JFK.


Clearly not.

Clearly not.

I have and JFK T2/3 gives EWR Terminal A a run for its money when you are talking dump. Thank god for the DL SL(s).

...I have never flown out of the Marine terminal at LGA but I have heard it is a mess too.There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Marine Air Terminal. There is hardly any walking to do, the interior is modern (recently redone by DL), a restaurant of sorts established, and security lines that IMO have never resulted in more than two or three travelers in front of you.

Maybe there is something that could be improved and that would be installation of a SkyClub. However, now that they have put gogo on the E170s and 175s which are the majority of the airplanes that use that terminal, the lack of wi-fi does not hurt at all.

What terminal does the Lima flight leave from in EWR?
.Unless there has been a sea change with the merger, it will be Terminal C, which has a couple of large Presi... err United Clubs, restaurants, and other ways to while away the time. It's easily the best terminal at EWR.