The three passenger terminals at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), A, B, and C, each sit in a separate building with its own set of airlines. Getting the terminal right saves real time, since a wrong-terminal assumption can send you on a slow loop back around the airport on the day you can least spare it.
Most terminal changes at Newark mean leaving security and screening again, since the buildings connect landside. Eligible United connections are the exception: an airside shuttle links Terminals A and C, with limited one-way service to Terminal B.
Which Terminal Does Each Airline Use at Newark?
Each terminal serves a distinct mix of carriers, from all-domestic at Terminal A to the international lineup at Terminal B. Assignments move as the airport rebuilds, so trust the operating airline printed on your boarding pass over whichever brand issued the ticket.
| Terminal | Airlines | Lounges |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, and United domestic. The newest building at Newark, mostly domestic with some short-haul international. | United Club, American Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club (Amex Centurion Lounge coming soon, expected in 2026) |
| Terminal B | Aer Lingus, Air France, Air India, Alaska, British Airways, Emirates, Frontier, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and more. The airport's main international terminal, with over 30 carriers. | Lufthansa Lounge, SAS Lounge (the British Airways Galleries Lounge is closed for refurbishment until summer 2027) |
| Terminal C | United Airlines only, mainline and United Express, domestic and international. United's primary terminal at its Newark hub, and its busiest at the airport. | United Polaris Lounge, United Club (two locations) |
A Closer Look at Each Terminal
Terminal A
Newest building · mostly domestic
- 33 gates, opened in phases through 2023
- Around 1 million square feet, LEED Gold certified
- Air Canada, American, Delta, JetBlue, United domestic
- Three lounges now, a fourth on the way
Terminal B
International hub · three concourses
- 25 gates across B1, B2, B3
- Each concourse has its own security checkpoint
- Over 30 mostly international carriers
- Older building, slated for a future rebuild
Terminal C
United's terminal · largest at Newark
- 52 gates across C1, C2, C3
- United's primary terminal at its Newark hub
- United mainline, Express, and international
- Home to the acclaimed United Polaris Lounge
All Three Terminals
The airport at a broad level
- 110 gates total, per the Port Authority
- No airside link, apart from the United shuttle
- AirTrain and shuttles handle terminal transfers
A few things worth knowing before you go:
- Terminal A: the rebuilt 2022 facility replaced a 1973 building, and older guides that call it dated no longer apply; its bigger checkpoint tends to move faster than the terminal it replaced.
- Terminal B: the three concourses each screen separately; head to the right one, because you cannot cross between B1, B2, and B3 after security without clearing screening again.
- Terminal C: the widest dining and the top lounges sit here, but as United's largest terminal, the walk to far gates in C2 or C3 can run long.
- United airside shuttle: for eligible United connections, a secure shuttle runs from Gate A28 and Gate C71, with Terminal B a drop-off-only stop near B67, so you cannot board in B to reach A or C. Every other terminal change means exiting and re-clearing security.
Changing Terminals: What Actually Happens
Because the three terminals are separate buildings, a terminal change is more involved than walking to another concourse.
The AirTrain is the main landside link, running around the clock and connecting the terminals, parking, and the rail station in a few minutes, with those airport-only rides free. One quirk surprises people: Terminals B and C have direct AirTrain stations, but Terminal A does not, so reaching Terminal A from its AirTrain station means a covered walk of about 15 minutes or a shuttle ride of about 5 minutes. For eligible United connections, the airside shuttle between Terminals A and C skips security entirely.
For a connection:
- check which airline runs your next flight and where it departs
- follow the AirTrain signs, or use the United airside shuttle if your connection qualifies
- allow for another security screening when you change terminals
- build in time for customs, immigration, and bag re-check on international arrivals connecting onward
Don’t build a tight connection around the AirTrain’s few-minute hop alone. The transfer is only one part of changing terminals, which is why international connections at Newark often need 2 to 3 hours or more.
Dining, Terminal by Terminal
Since crossing between terminals after security is impractical, your dining choices depend on the terminal you fly from. Terminal C carries the widest spread, the rebuilt Terminal A holds its own, and Terminal B varies by concourse.
| Terminal | Dining Style | Worth Knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal A | Modern, wide range | Sit-down and fast-casual across the new concourses, with tablet ordering at many gates and local New Jersey names in the mix |
| Terminal B | Varies by concourse | B1 and B3 carry most of the food, while B2 stays thin; eat before heading to a B2 gate if you have specific tastes. |
| Terminal C | Widest at Newark | United's hub has the deepest lineup, with tablet ordering, a full Starbucks, and grab-and-go in every concourse. |
On a short connection, a quick counter by your gate serves you better than a table two concourses away. Plant-based and gluten-free eaters will find the deepest choice in Terminals A and C, and the standout spots worth seeking out at EWR vary by terminal, so it pays to know your building before you land. The Newark Airport app lists current menus and hours.
The Train to Penn Station
Newark is the only one of the three major New York-area airports with its own rail station served directly by NJ Transit trains to New York Penn Station. Passengers still connect between the terminal and that rail station, but for light luggage heading to Midtown, it is often the fastest and cheapest way in.
- Get to Newark Liberty rail station. Terminals B and C have direct AirTrain access; from Terminal A, allow a covered walk of about 15 minutes or a shuttle of about 5 minutes to reach the station first. From the terminal stations, plan roughly 7 minutes to the rail station from C, 11 from B, and about 20 from A.
- Buy an NJ Transit ticket to New York Penn Station. An adult one-way ticket runs $17.25, including the $8.75 airport-station access charge, with trains every 15 to 30 minutes and a ride of about 25 minutes. Amtrak also serves this station, faster but far pricier at $30 to $80 or more.
- Arrive at Penn Station in the heart of Midtown. The train drops you at 34th Street, with the subway, taxis, and rideshares right there. Plan on 45 to 55 minutes from the terminal to street level.
Leaving the Airport: Your Options
Newark sits in New Jersey, 16 miles southwest of Midtown, though the trip often takes longer than the mileage suggests. Where you are headed changes the math:
Into Manhattan
- 16 miles, though tunnel traffic can stretch it
- Midtown hotels, Penn Station, business districts
- Direct NJ Transit rail straight to Penn Station
- Downtown, Brooklyn, and the East Side sit farther out
Around New Jersey
- Often the quickest leg, no river crossing
- Newark, Jersey City, and the wider metro area
- Game days at MetLife Stadium
- Sailings out of Cape Liberty Cruise Port
If your destination isn't convenient by rail, compare total door-to-door time rather than the train fare alone. Groups with checked bags, children, or multiple stops may find a pre-arranged terminal pickup easier to manage than a rail connection. Business travelers with a full day around the region, at venues like the Prudential Center, MetLife Stadium, or the Javits Center across the river, sometimes line up chauffeured services for the meetings that follow the airport leg.
The One-Minute Pre-Flight Check
A quick Newark check takes under a minute: flight number, operating airline, terminal, lounge eligibility, and how you plan to reach the city. Getting the terminal right saves the most time, since the three buildings are far enough apart that a wrong guess means backtracking by shuttle or AirTrain.
One more thing worth confirming right now: the weekday AirTrain suspension between the rail station and terminals runs through November 13, 2026, so if a train arrives before 3 p.m. on a weekday, plan for the replacement shuttle and the extra 10 to 15 minutes.
Newark Airport Terminal Guide FAQs
Which terminal is United Airlines at Newark?
United's primary terminal is Terminal C, at its Newark hub, which handles most of its mainline and international flights. United also handles domestic departures and arrivals from Terminal A, and some international arrivals come into Terminal B, so check your boarding pass or the United app on the day you fly.
Which terminal is Delta at Newark?
Delta operates from Terminal A, the airport's newest terminal, where it moved in 2023 alongside a new, larger Delta Sky Club near gate A8.
Which terminal is JetBlue at Newark?
JetBlue flies from Terminal A, sharing the building with Air Canada, American, Delta, and United's domestic operation. Confirm your gate on your boarding pass, since assignments can shift within the terminal.
Are Newark terminals connected?
Not inside security, for most travelers. The three terminals are separate buildings, so changing terminals usually means exiting, taking the AirTrain or a shuttle, and clearing screening again. The exception is eligible United connections: a secure United shuttle runs from Gate A28 and Gate C71, with Terminal B a drop-off-only stop, so you cannot board in B to reach A or C.
Is Newark Airport easy to navigate?
Within a single terminal, yes. Each terminal is self-contained, signage is clear, and the new Terminal A in particular is bright and straightforward. The complexity comes from the three buildings being separate: landing at the wrong terminal means a shuttle or AirTrain loop to correct, so the harder part is getting to the right terminal, not moving around once you are there.
How often does the Newark Airport Express run?
The Coach USA Newark Airport Express bus departs every 15 to 30 minutes through the day, running from around 5 a.m. to roughly 1 a.m. It stops at all three terminals and drops passengers at Grand Central, Bryant Park, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Midtown, with a 45- to 60-minute ride depending on traffic.
