The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in collaboration with Munich Airport NJ LLC, the operator of Newark Liberty International Airport’s cutting-edge Terminal A, announced that the terminal received a coveted five-star rating by Skytrax, a leading aviation industry ratings firm. This recognition follows an exhaustive audit of Terminal A’s facilities, operations, and customer service standards.
Terminal A now joins LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B as one of only two airport terminals in North America to receive the highest rating from Skytrax.
Skytrax ratings are globally recognized as a benchmark of airport excellence, meticulously assessing an airport’s product offerings and front-line service standards. The five-star rating is reserved for airport terminals that consistently provide outstanding facilities and exemplary service across all customer-facing areas.
Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole remarked, “Five stars are reserved for the best of the best, and we had high expectations for Newark’s Terminal A. We aimed to set a new standard with Terminal A, from its striking architecture to its efficient design and engaging local artwork. This exceptional evaluation from Skytrax validates our efforts, establishing New Jersey’s Terminal A as a premier gateway among the world’s finest.”
Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton added, “This Skytrax rating places Newark’s Terminal A in an elite category. Skytrax has awarded five stars to only three airports or airport terminals in North America, and we are proud to claim two of them – LaGuardia’s Terminal B and Newark’s Terminal A. Our commitment to delivering world-class facilities aligns with the region’s status, and this Skytrax rating further underscores our dedication.”
The 1 million-square-foot Terminal A, which commenced operations in stages throughout 2023, replaced the former 50-year-old Terminal A. This $2.7 billion project marked the Port Authority’s largest-ever single investment in New Jersey and the state’s most extensive design-build project. In its inaugural year, the terminal served 15 million passengers, surpassing previous yearly passenger totals from the former Terminal A.
Among its state-of-the-art amenities, Terminal A boasts local artwork, a children’s play area, advanced digital technology, and a wide array of local dining and retail options. Notable features include a sensory room for travelers with disabilities and their families to find respite amidst the airport’s hustle and bustle, along with a children’s lending library curated by a local fifth-grader.
The $2.7 billion Terminal A broke ground in 2017 and was completed last year after multiple delays due to the pandemic and supply chain-related issues. The project was part of a larger $25 billion overhaul of the region’s Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
Munich Airport CEO Jost Lammers expressed pride in the achievement, stating, “This award underscores the remarkable performance of our U.S. subsidiary in collaboration with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, making the Munich Airport Group the first airport operator with two five-star facilities on two continents.”
Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC, the operator of Newark Terminal A, echoed the sentiment, saying, “This five-star rating places Newark Terminal A in an exclusive North American club of two. I extend my sincere thanks to our MANJ family and the thousands of dedicated team members who make Newark Terminal A a truly exceptional travel experience.”
Edward Plaisted of Skytrax commented, “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.”
Aside from the esteemed Skytrax rating, Terminal A has garnered numerous other accolades since its opening. It received a 2023 UNESCO Prix Versailles Special Prize for its distinctive exterior architecture emphasizing spaciousness, functionality, and natural light. Additionally, it achieved LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and was named the 2023 Project of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in New Jersey.
The Port Authority’s redevelopment efforts at Newark Liberty International Airport are part of a comprehensive initiative to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The replacement of AirTrain Newark with a modern, reliable automated people mover train system is underway, with the first contract awarded to Doppelmayr in December 2023. Plans for the EWR Station Access Project aim to improve public transit access to the airport and New York City for underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth.
The ongoing transformation of Newark Liberty International Airport aligns with the agency’s vision for long-term economic growth, sustainability projects, and enhanced multimodal access. For more information about the airport’s redevelopment projects, visit EWRredevelopment.com.
