Help me decide... PHL or EWR
 

Hi there... I live in Pennsylvania, just over the border from Trenton. It takes me an hour to get to PHL and 90 minutes to get to EWR.

My rule of thumb for years has been that if I can get a direct flight from PHL, I'll fly from there, but if I had to connect, I would look at EWR. I used to live in NYC and was spoiled with selection, but that was years ago...

Because of the lack of direct routes from PHL, I'm always taking a different carrier and have had a very hard time obtaining any kind of airline status. Add the fact that I'm just not a big fan of the carriers at PHL have made me consider using EWR exclusively and just sucking up the extra hour of driving.

Help me decide... what should I do, and why?

Thanks from a long-time lurker...

My Mom lives about equal distance from EWR and PHL, so I have the same dilemma when flying in. Among the factors I personally consider for each airport:

• The drive to PHL (mainly down 70) is more relaxing than the drive to EWR and generally subject to fewer traffic delays.
  
• Fares into PHL seem to be lower compared to EWR (mainly looking at flights on WN and AA), but lately I've seen less of a difference.
  
• Flying from Chicago, I earn more miles to EWR than PHL.
  
• PHL seems to have more delays than EWR.
  
• Car rentals usually seem more expensive at PHL.
  
• EWR seems to have more public transportation options.
  
• Security is less than ideal at both airports. Focusing on the AA and WN concourses, neither is designed to handle the post-9/11 security needs. (Though AA at PHL has improved and I know they're working on WN improvements at PHL.)

The big question you didn't answer is: What destinations do you most frequently fly to? That can have a big influence on your final decision.

The security checkpoint situation at PHL has improved considerably, there is a new checkpoint between D&E with many more lanes, and this also means E is now connected with the rest of the airport.

With the fact US has lost a number of flyers, I often (when not checking bags) go through security at B or C for flights out of D or E, and there's rarely much of a line. There's also a fast moving walkway post security to get to D or E easily.

They're done; it's not great, but it is better.

To the OP, my experience is that status is worth a little bit of hassle. Pick an airline and stick with it - whichever one it is.

My brother-in-law lives in Newtown and always flies out of PHL, if at all possible. His only concern is the worry about traffic on I-95. In fact, one time my wife and I were going to PHL and there was an accident on I-95. We crossed over the Betsy Ross bridge and went down Rt 130 in NJ and crossed back over the Walt Whitman Bridge. Fortunately, we had allowed some extra time to get to the airport.

Too bad there isn't enough demand for flights out of Trenton. It seems every time someone starts up there, they last about 6 months to a year and then cancel.

If you can handle jungle jets for your first leg try ABE. There are far fewer traffic, security and parking hassles; and the parking is cheaper. Dl, CO, US, UA and AC plus a couple of other carriers

Sometimes there are "flights" on Continental from ABE to EWR, which is really a bus that's given a flight number. And there are also "flights" from ZFV (Philly Amtrak station) to EWR which is an Amtrak train.

You could get an NJ Transit train from Trenton or Hamilton to EWR, which is really convenient.