Newark Liberty International Airport’s new Terminal A just received an award that’s the air travel equivalent of winning an Academy Award or getting a Michelin star.
Newark airport’s $2.7 billion Terminal A, that opened one year ago, was given a prestigious 5-star rating by Skytrax, a preeminent aviation industry ratings firm.
To put this award in perspective, only two other airport terminals in North America have received the same rating — including LaGuardia Airport’s new Terminal B, which received the Skytrax rating in March of 2023.
The new Terminal A replaced a 50-year old terminal that was built before current security standards and lacked sufficient screening space, in addition to other issues that led it to be a candidate for replacement.
“This five-star airport terminal rating is a fabulous achievement for Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport, being just one of 22 airports and terminals worldwide and one of only three in North America to achieve our highest five-star rating,” said Edward Plaisted Skytrax CEO, in a statement.
Airports, terminals, airlines, and airport lounges are ranked on a scale of one to five after an audit.
“Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport provides an excellent range of passenger facilities, easy customer wayfinding, excellent signage and high standards of staff service,” Plaisted said. The outstanding multimedia features offer a unique, differentiating factor here at Terminal A.”
Skytrax was started in 1989 and in 1999 introduced the World Airline and Airport Star Rating system. Its rating is considered a global benchmark of airport excellence.
Ratings are awarded after a detailed audit and an assessment of the terminal and front-line service standards, officials said. A five-star terminal rating recognizes airport terminals that provide “exceptional standards of facilities and staff service” to customers across all front-line areas of the airport environment, according to Skytrax.
“This rating from Skytrax puts Newark’s Terminal A in rarified air,” said Rick Cotton, Port Authority Executive Director in a statement. “Skytrax has awarded five stars to just three airports or airport terminals in North America, and our facilities account for two of them – LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A.”
He called Skytrax rating the “latest validation of the authority’s effort to build world class terminals” at its three major metro area airports.
“This stellar evaluation from the aviation industry’s preeminent rating organization proves we’ve accomplished exactly that, giving New Jersey a magnificent gateway that is taking its rightful place among the world’s best,” said Kevin O’Toole, Port Authority board of commissioners chairman.
Terminal A officially opened to the public on Jan. 12, 2023, when the first 21 gates and retail opened in the east and west wings, followed by 15 gates the south wing opened in August. Despite the staggered openings, Terminal A was used by 15 million passengers in its first year of operation, 5 million more than the 50-year-old terminal it replaced, which was 10% higher than officials projected.
The terminal also saw the opening of three airline lounges last year, with a fourth premium lounge, the 17,000 square foot new American Express Centurion, lounge which is scheduled to open in 2026.
The new 1 million square foot terminal won its first major award in December when it was awarded a 2023 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Prix Versailles Special Prize for the terminal’s exterior design. Terminal A was selected for the UNESCO award out of six nominees in three continents in the airports category.
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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry.
