
The symbol for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR. The airport is located about 15 miles (24km) southwest of Midtown Manhattan and 60 miles (97km) northeast of Philadelphia, serving both metropolitan areas. It is one of the biggest hubs for United Airlines, which serves about 63% of passengers at EWR.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Code | EWR |
| Full Name | Newark Liberty International Airport |
| Former Names | Heller Field, Hadley Field, Newark Metropolitan Airport, Newark International Airport |
| Year Opened | 1919 (as Heller Field) or 1924 (as Hadley Field); renamed Newark Metropolitan Airport in 1928 |
| Location | 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Midtown Manhattan, 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Philadelphia |
| Number of Terminals | 3 |
| Number of Concourses | 9 |
| Airlines | United Airlines, FedEx Express, Philippine Airlines (PAL, until the late 1990s), Continental Airlines (until 2010) |
| Number of Passengers | 43.4 million (2022), 49.1 million (2023) |
| Ranking | 13th-busiest airport in the US, 23rd-busiest airport in the world (2022) |
| Historical Facts | First commercial airport in the US, first with a paved airstrip, first with an air traffic control tower and airport weather station, first to allow nighttime operations |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

The airport code for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR
The history of Newark Airport dates back to the 1920s, when Newark was home to two airfields: Heller Field and Hadley Field. In April 1928, Canadian Colonial Airways signed the first lease for space at Newark Airport, and in 1930, the nation's first air traffic control tower and airport weather station were opened there. The airport has undergone several name changes over the years. It was originally named Newark Metropolitan Airport when it opened on October 1, 1928, becoming the first major airport in the United States. The name was changed to Newark International Airport in 1970, and following the September 11 attacks in 2001, it was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport in 2002 to pay tribute to the victims and the Statue of Liberty.
Newark Airport has several notable features and has witnessed significant events. The Art Deco-style Newark Metropolitan Airport Administration Building, dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935, served as the airport's first passenger terminal. The airport was also the first to allow nighttime operations after installing runway lights in 1952. In 2007, Continental announced plans for nonstop flights between Newark and Shanghai, which commenced in 2009. Newark Airport has three terminals, each with three concourses, and offers various transportation options, including the AirTrain, a free rail system connecting the terminals and other facilities.
The airport code EWR for Newark Liberty International Airport holds a specific significance. When airport codes transitioned from two letters to three, the Navy reserved all codes starting with the letter "N." As a result, "Rk" used the other letters in its name to create the unique code of EWR. This code ensures that the airport can be easily identified and differentiated from others in various contexts, such as flight schedules, baggage tags, and weather reports.
Hahn Frankfurt: Main Airport or Regional Hub?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is located 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan
The symbol for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR. The airport is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Midtown Manhattan, in the New York metropolitan area. It is situated in the state of New Jersey, straddling the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County. The airport is easily accessible via various transportation options, including train, bus, and car, serving as a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.
Newark Airport is a significant hub for air travel in the New York and New Jersey region. With over 400,000 flights in 2012, it was the busiest airport in the metropolitan area. The airport's history dates back to the 1920s, when it was the site of two airfields: Heller Field and Hadley Field. It officially opened as Newark Metropolitan Airport in 1928, becoming the first major airport in the United States. Over the years, it has undergone name changes, with 'International' being added in 1970 and 'Liberty' added in 2002 to honour the victims of the September 11 attacks and the Statue of Liberty.
The airport is conveniently located near the Newark Airport Interchange, where several major roads intersect, including U.S. Route 1/9, U.S. Route 22, New Jersey Route 21, Interstate 78, and Interstate 95. This interchange provides efficient connections to other parts of New Jersey and nearby states. The airport is also well-connected by train, with two NJ TRANSIT train lines providing service to New York, Trenton, and other destinations. Additionally, ridesharing services, limousines, and taxis are available for travellers, with fares set by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission for trips to and from New York City.
Newark Liberty International Airport is a bustling hub, serving approximately 43.4 million passengers in 2022. It is the largest hub for United Airlines, which operates in three buildings covering around 2 million square feet of airport property. The airport boasts a range of shops and friendly staff, according to travellers' reviews. It is also known for its clean facilities, making it a pleasant experience for passengers passing through.
The airport has played a pivotal role in aviation history, being the first commercial airport in the United States and the first with a paved airstrip. It also housed the nation's first air traffic control tower and airport weather station, which opened in 1930. The airport's Art Deco-style administration building, constructed in 1934 and dedicated by Amelia Earhart, served as the terminal until 1953. Today, the airport continues to be a vital gateway, offering nonstop flights to various international destinations, including Shanghai, and serving as a major hub for travel to and from the New York metropolitan area.
Chicago Airport: Train Connection Convenience
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It is the largest hub for United Airlines
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a major hub for air travel to and from the New York City metropolitan area. It is located around 14-15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, New York City. The airport first opened on 1 October 1928 as Newark Metropolitan Airport, making it the first commercial airport in the United States. It was also the first airport to allow nighttime operations after installing runway lights in 1952.
Newark Airport is the largest hub for United Airlines by available seat miles. United Airlines handles approximately 440 daily flights out of EWR, serving about 63% of passengers at the airport. This amounts to an average of 40,000 passengers per day and 14.6 million passengers annually. United Airlines is considering shrinking its hub at Newark to avoid flight disruptions and improve operations.
Newark Airport is also a hub for other major airlines, including FedEx Express, JetBlue Airways, and Spirit Airlines. In the 1920s, Newark was the site of two airfields: Heller Field and Hadley Field, which were used by the United States airmail service. Today, the airport serves 50 carriers and is the fourth-largest hub for United Airlines after Denver International, Chicago O'Hare, and Houston George Bush Intercontinental.
Newark Liberty International Airport is the second-largest airport serving the most populous city in the US, after John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and before LaGuardia Airport (LGA). It is widely believed to be one of United Airlines' most profitable hubs.
Airports and the Deceased: Transportation Procedures Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products

It was the first major airport in the United States
Newark Liberty International Airport, with the airport code EWR, is located around 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Midtown Manhattan, New York City. It is the busiest airport within the New York and New Jersey metropolitan areas, serving over 400,000 flights and 33 million passengers in 2012. The airport opened on October 1, 1928, as Newark Metropolitan Airport, and was the first major airport to serve the New York metropolitan area. This made it the first major airport in the United States, setting several milestones in aviation history.
Newark Airport was the first commercial airport in the United States with a paved airstrip. In 1929, it became the metropolitan airmail terminus for the eastern United States, and by 1930, it was the busiest airport in the world. The nation's first air traffic control tower and airport weather station opened at Newark in 1930, further solidifying its status as a pioneer in aviation. The airport also boasted the first passenger terminal in the United States, which was built in 1934 and dedicated by the renowned aviator Amelia Earhart in 1935.
The original terminal, known as the Newark Metropolitan Airport Administration Building, was designed in the Art Deco style and adorned with murals by Arshile Gorky. This building served as the main passenger gateway until the opening of the North Terminal in 1953. Newark continued to break new ground by becoming the first airport to allow nighttime operations after installing runway lights in 1952. The construction of the Brewster Hangar began in 1937 and was completed in 1938, making it the most advanced hangar of its time.
The airport underwent a series of name changes over the years. In 1970, the name was changed to Newark International Airport, and in 2002, following the September 11 attacks, it was renamed Newark Liberty International Airport to pay tribute to both the victims of the attacks and the Statue of Liberty, located just 7 miles (11 km) east of the airport. Today, Newark Liberty International Airport remains a significant aviation hub, serving 50 carriers and being the largest hub for United Airlines by available seat miles.
Denver Airport: Back to Business as Usual?
You may want to see also

The airport was renamed in 2002 to honour the victims of the September 11 attacks
The airport symbol for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR. The airport was first opened on 1 October 1928 as Newark Metropolitan Airport, making it the first major airport in the US. The name changed to Newark International Airport in 1970 and, in 2002, it became Newark Liberty International Airport.
The airport's name was changed in 2002 to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks and to the Statue of Liberty, which is located only a few miles from the airport. The new name also honours the defenders of freedom and the heroes of 9/11. The name change was a surprise announcement by New Jersey Governor James McGreevey and New York Governor George Pataki. Newark Mayor Sharpe James considered placing the city's name at the end of the new name to be an insult, so the name was adjusted to address this.
The partial failure of the terrorists' mission on United Airlines Flight 93, which departed from Newark International Airport, was due to the bravery of the passengers and crew. They fought back, forcing the plane to crash in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, rather than reaching the intended target of a federal government building in Washington, D.C.
On 10 September 2021, a new 9/11 memorial was dedicated at the airport's former administration building.
Enabling Teredo Tunneling: A Guide for Airports
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The symbol for Newark Liberty International Airport is EWR.
When airport codes switched from two letters to three, the Navy reserved all codes starting with N. So, Rk used the other letters in its name to make EWR.
The airport's full name is Newark Liberty International Airport.























