A much-needed investment in an aging terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport has garnered rave reviews as another air travel agency has given the new Terminal A their highest rating just months after opening.
Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) and its subsidiary, Munich Airport NJ LLC (MANJ), recently announced Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport was awarded a 5-Star Airport Terminal Rating from Skytrax, the air travel industry’s premier rating organization. The companies, who manage the newly opened terminal, oversaw the launch of the $2.7 billion facility in early 2023.
“Being awarded Skytrax 5-Stars is the biggest honor for any airport or terminal,” said Dr. Lutz Weisser, Managing Director of Munich Airport International GmbH. “This award is the reward for the outstanding work of our U.S. team and all our partners: The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the airlines, our concessionaires and everybody else who contributed to this great achievement.”
The award represents the world’s highest rating for customer experience within an airport terminal. Terminal A was subjected to a three-day Skytrax audit when being evaluated for the rating, landing high marks for exceptional customer experience offerings including user-friendly wayfinding, a diverse range of top-notch facilities, attractive seating with ample charging options, innovative security screening allowing liquids and electronics to stay in carry-on bags, and a rich selection of local food and retail outlets.
“We are honored to be recognized as a 5-Star Airport Terminal,” said Michael Kunz, CEO of Munich Airport NJ LLC. “This 5-Star rating places Newark Terminal A in a very exclusive club – one of only three 5-Star Airport facilities in North America.”
The new Terminal A spans over one million square feet and is quite an upgrade over the previous 1970s-era facility. Highlights include spacious interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, local public art features, and locally inspired restaurants and small businesses from the surrounding area.
Terminal A, which services about 15 million people annually, features modern perks like a centralized touchless check-in hall, hospital-grade air filtration system, dedicated children’s play area, co-working tables, and various seating options throughout that all feature both power and USB ports.
Lounges can be found throughout the facility and local artwork is utilized throughout the terminal, with 29 pieces and murals from local artists helping to create a distinctive New Jersey sense of place.
In addition to the 5-Star rating from Skytrax, Terminal A has also received other awards for excellence including the UNESCO Prix Versailles Award and a LEED Gold Certification. The facility was named the American Society of Civil Engineers Project of the Year for 2023.
