Ruth Haines
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located on the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey, approximately 4.5 miles south of downtown Newark and 9 miles west-southwest of Manhattan. The airport is jointly owned by the two cities and is leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
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What You'll Learn
Newark Liberty International Airport's history
Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is a major international airport serving the New York metropolitan area. The airport straddles the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan, it is jointly owned by the two cities and leased to its operator, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The airport first opened on October 1, 1928, as Newark Metropolitan Airport. It was built on 68 acres of marshland and its first terminal, the Art Deco Administration Building, was built in 1934 and dedicated by Amelia Earhart in 1935. The airport's Building One from 1935 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Newark was the only airport to serve the New York area for 11 years and was considered the busiest commercial airport in the world until LaGuardia Airport opened in Queens in 1939.
During World War II, the airport was taken over by the United States Army for logistics operations and closed to commercial flights. When the airport reopened in 1946, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey took control of it and began making improvements, including adding an instrument runway, a second terminal building, a control tower, and an air cargo centre. In 1952, Newark became the first airport to allow nighttime operations after installing runway lights. The airport expanded dramatically in the 1980s, with the addition of a monorail system, an International Arrivals Facility, and a two-building maintenance complex.
In 2001, United Airlines Flight 93, which departed from Newark Airport, was hijacked by terrorists and subsequently crashed in Pennsylvania. In 2002, the airport's name was changed from Newark International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport to honour Flight 93 and pay tribute to the Statue of Liberty, which sits 7 miles (11 km) east of the airport. A new 9/11 memorial was dedicated at the historic former administration building, Building One, in 2021.
Today, Newark Liberty International Airport is the third-largest hub for United Airlines and serves 50 carriers, handling more than 30 million passengers annually. It is a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania, contributing about $22.9 billion in economic activity to the New York-New Jersey metropolitan region. The airport has three major terminals (Terminals A, B, and C) and employs approximately 20,000 people.
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Transport to and from the airport
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is located in the towns of Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey. It is about 4.5 miles from downtown Newark and 9 miles from Manhattan, New York.
By Train
The airport is connected to the Newark Liberty International Airport Railway Station via the AirTrain. The station is served by the Northeast Corridor Line and the North Jersey Coast Line, operated by NJ Transit. Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service routes also stop at the station.
NJ Transit trains connect the airport to New York Penn Station, with an estimated travel time of around an hour. The fare from Newark Penn Station to the airport is $11.95, and the AirTrain is included in this price. The AirTrain fare is usually $8.50, but it is included in your NJ Transit ticket when travelling to and from the airport.
From Lower Manhattan or Brooklyn, you can take the PATH train, an NJ Transit train, and the AirTrain. The PATH train costs $3, and you can pay with a contactless card or mobile device, a MetroCard, or a SmartLink Card.
By Bus
NJ Transit operates several bus routes to and from the airport, including the go bus 28 bus rapid transit line to Downtown Newark, Newark Broad Street Station, and Bloomfield Station. The bus fare is $1.80. Buses run every 15 minutes or better on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 30 minutes on Sundays and overnight.
Olympia Trails operates express buses to and from Manhattan, including Port Authority Bus Terminal, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal.
By Car
SuperShuttle offers transportation to and from the airport in black cars, SUVs, and private vans. They provide advanced reservations, upfront pricing, and stress-free travel.
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The airport's terminals and facilities
Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR, ICAO: KEWR, FAA LID: EWR) is located in the city of Newark, New Jersey, and serves the New York metropolitan area. The airport has three terminals (A, B, and C) and is a major hub for United Airlines, which occupies all of Terminal C and offers some flights from Terminals A and B. Other airlines that operate from Terminal A include Air Canada, American Airlines, and JetBlue. Meanwhile, Terminal B serves Allegiant Air, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Spirit, and several other international airlines.
Each terminal offers various services and facilities to ensure the comfort and safety of travellers. These include children's play areas, baby care facilities, pet relief stations, duty-free shops, currency exchange stations, and nursing suites. Terminal C also features an interfaith chapel for travellers who wish to pray or engage in spiritual practices. Outside the terminals, there are designated smoking areas.
In terms of dining options, Terminal A showcases popular New Jersey chains, including Jersey Mike's, The Office Tavern Grill, Town Bar + Kitchen, and Carlitos. National chains such as BurgerFi and Shake Shack are also present. Terminal A also offers a range of souvenir shops and convenience stores, including Just Jersey, Artist PopShop, Vue, The Black Home, and Tentree.
The airport provides a monorail system called AirTrain Newark, which operates 24 hours a day and is free to ride within the airport. AirTrain connects the terminals with the Newark Liberty International Airport Railway Station, served by NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line, as well as Amtrak's Northeast Regional and Keystone Service routes.
For travellers arriving by car, Newark Airport offers a range of parking options, including short-term, daily, economy, and valet parking. The economy lots are located about three miles from the terminals, with a daily maximum rate of $18, while the daily parking in Garage P4 is slightly further away and costs $34 per day.
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The airport's economic impact
Newark Liberty International Airport (IATA: EWR) is located in the US state of New Jersey, straddling the boundary between the cities of Newark in Essex County and Elizabeth in Union County. The airport is about 4.5 miles from downtown Newark and 9 miles from Manhattan, making it a major gateway to destinations in Europe, South America, Asia, and Oceania.
The airport is a major economic engine, generating a significant number of direct and indirect jobs and contributing billions in wages, salaries, and economic activity to the region.
During its busiest year in 2023, the airport served 49.1 million passengers, the second-busiest in the New York airport system. It serves 50 carriers and is the largest hub for United Airlines, which serves about 63% of passengers. The airline, along with FedEx Express, operates in three buildings covering approximately 2 million square feet of airport property.
The airport currently generates 24,000 direct jobs and contributes about $11.3 billion in economic activity to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan region, including $3.3 billion in wages and salaries for about 110,000 jobs derived from airport activity. The airport also helps fuel $200 billion in economic activity among companies in New Jersey.
The Airport City Newark project, led by the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), aims to further enhance the airport's economic impact by integrating it into the surrounding city, creating an aerotropolis that welcomes visitors to explore and experience the culture of Newark. The project includes creating public access from the nearby neighborhood of Dayton, developing a strategy for economic development around the airport, and maximizing the benefits that Newark derives from the airport.
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The airport's busiest years
Newark Liberty International Airport is located in the towns of Newark, in Essex County, and Elizabeth, in Union County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark and 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan.
Newark Liberty International Airport has experienced several busy periods throughout its history, with fluctuations in passenger numbers over the years. Here is a timeline of some of its busiest years:
Early Years:
The airport was constructed in 1928 on 68 acres of marshland by the City of Newark. During the 1930s, the airport was the busiest commercial airport in the world. United Airlines, American Airlines, Eastern Airlines, and TWA were among its tenants. However, by the middle of 1940, all passenger airlines had left Newark, and the airport was taken over by the United States Army during World War II for logistics operations.
Post-World War II:
After the war, the airport resumed commercial operations, and by the early 1970s, it had a single terminal building. The airport underwent expansions in the 1960s, and in 1973, it was renamed Newark International Airport. The opening of the North Terminal in 1953 and the installation of runway lights in 1952, making it the first airport to allow nighttime operations, were significant developments.
Recent Years:
In 2021, the airport handled over 29 million passengers, with most travellers arriving on domestic flights within the United States. The following year, in 2022, the airport served 43.4 million passengers, ranking as the 13th busiest airport in the nation and 23rd busiest worldwide. The busiest year on record was 2023, with 49.1 million passengers. As of 2025, the airport serves 50 carriers and is the fourth-largest hub for United Airlines.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport straddles the boundary between Newark and Elizabeth in New Jersey.
Newark Airport is in Essex County and Union County.
The airport is located approximately 4.5 miles (7.2 km) south of downtown Newark.
The airport is 9 miles (14 km) west-southwest of Manhattan.
John F. Kennedy International Airport is the busiest airport in the New York airport system.
