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  • keyboard_arrow_right Admirals Club Newark (EWR): The Real Story on Crowding, Food & Whether It’s Worth a Visit

Airport Lounges

Admirals Club Newark (EWR): The Real Story on Crowding, Food & Whether It’s Worth a Visit

Jake Redman February 26, 2026

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Newark Liberty International. Terminal A. A massive upgrade from the old concrete bunker. Among the shiny new gates and high-priced digital kiosks sits the Admirals Club. It’s the refuge for the American Airlines crowd. We spent some time there to see if the reality matches the “new terminal” hype. Spoiler: it’s better than the old one, but it’s still an Admirals Club.

The Entrance and Vibe

Find it near the gates in the new Terminal A. Elevators up. Check-in is usually quick. Staff are standard AA, efficient, mostly polite, seen it all.

The design is modern. Clean lines. Lots of light wood and glass. It feels “Newark 2026,” not “Newark 1985.” Higher ceilings help. Also worth noting: it’s a pretty modest lounge (about 7,050 sq ft, roughly 137 people max), so it feels nice—but it’s not a massive space.

The image shows a modern airport lounge with a sleek, curved reception desk on the left. The desk is made of a light-colored material with subtle lighting underneath. Behind the desk, there are computer monitors and a wall with a stylized logo. To the right, there is a seating area with blue armchairs and a mix of other chairs and sofas. The space is well-lit with natural light coming through large windows, and there are decorative hanging lights. The ceiling has a geometric design, and there is a planter with white stones and plants in the foreground.
It’s a few-years broken in but still such an upgrade. Photo: American Airlines


The Crowding Factor

The “Real Story” starts here.

Morning (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM):
Quiet. Plenty of seats. Business travelers hunched over laptops. Silence.

Mid-Day (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM):
Picking up. Families start appearing. The noise floor rises.

The Afternoon Peak (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM):
The crunch. American’s Newark schedule is heavy on regional connections and hub hops. This is when the Admirals Club Newark gets tight. You might have to stalk someone for a seat with a power outlet. It’s not as chaotic as the Centurion Lounge at LGA, but it’s sometimes close.

 

The Food: Guacamole and Beyond

Don’t come here expecting a three-course meal. It’s an Admirals Club. You get the basics.

The Breakfast Spread:

  • Cardboard-adjacent bagels.
  • Hard-boiled eggs (chilled to roughly freezing).
  • Oatmeal with various toppings (the safest bet).
  • Greek yogurt.
  • Occasional breakfast tacos (hit or miss).

    The image shows an assortment of baked goods arranged on trays. There are bagels on the left, pastries with icing and fruit filling in the center, muffins in brown paper cups, and rows of small round doughnut holes or cookies on the right. The items are displayed on a dark surface.
    While recently updated menus bring more options, Carb-y fun still rules the AM!Photo: American Airlines

     

The All-Day Menu:

  • Soup: Usually a choice of two. Tomato basil or a questionable chicken noodle. We love soup.
  • Snacks: Hummus, veggies, those little cubes of cheese that taste like nothing.
  • The Cookies: The standard-issue AA cookies. Hard to mess up.

If you’re actually hungry, you might be better off at the terminal food court. Terminal A has some decent local NJ-branded spots. But for “free,” the aa soup wins.

The image shows a modern, stylish lounge area with a contemporary design. It features several comfortable leather chairs and sofas arranged around a central fireplace. The ceiling has wooden slats with hanging pendant lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The space is divided by vertical wooden beams, and there are side tables next to the seating. The overall color scheme is neutral with accents of wood and metal.
The modern and cozy Admirals Club at EWR Terminal A. Photo: American Airlines

 

The Drink Situation

The bar is the centerpiece.

  • The “Free” Stuff: House wine (usually drinkable), domestic beers (Bud Light, Miller Lite), and well spirits.
  • The “Premium” Stuff: Better scotch, craft beers, and actual champagne. You pay with miles or cash.
  • The Coffee: Automated machines. Espresso, lattes, cappuccinos. Better than the stuff at the gate, worse than a real cafe.

Seating and Productivity

Power is everywhere, if you get a seat.

  • The Cubicles: Workstation cubbies. Not fully enclosed—private phone booths are separate if you need real privacy. Hard to snag.
  • The Bar Seating: Good for a quick charge and a drink.
  • The Lounge Chairs: Comfortable enough for an hour.
  • The Dining Tables: Usually sticky.

    A modern lounge area featuring two beige leather chairs facing each other with a small round table between them. In the background, there is a sleek, rectangular fireplace with visible flames. Above, several pendant lights hang from a ceiling with wooden slats. The floor is tiled, and a patterned rug is placed under the chairs. Large windows in the background allow natural light to fill the space.
    EWR Admirals Cllub. Photo: American Airlines

Wi-Fi is fast. We clocked it at 80Mbps down. Good enough for Zoom calls or downloading a season of whatever you’re bingeing before you hit the CRJ-900. If you’re curious about seat layouts for those regional hops, our recent check on the CRJ-900 experience covers the logistics.

The Bathrooms: A Surprise High Point

Seriously. Newark isn’t known for amazing bathrooms (even in this newer terminal). This lounge is the exception.

  • Fully enclosed stalls.
  • High-end finishes.
  • Actually clean.
  • Good lighting for the “I just woke up at 4 AM” selfie.

It’s a genuine retreat from the terminal restrooms which, even in the new Terminal A, feel like a public transit station.

 

Comparison: Admirals Club vs. United Club

Newark is a United fortress. They’ve got clubs in both Terminal A and Terminal C, and the Terminal C ones are massive by comparison.

Admirals Club Pros:

  • Usually less crowded than the main United Clubs.
  • Newer facilities (for now).
  • Easier access for AA elites.

United Club Pros:

  • Better food variety (usually).
  • More locations if your gate changes.
  • The United Club Fly (grab-and-go) is superior for quick transits.

The United MileagePlus squeeze is real, making these lounges harder to access without a dedicated card. AA is slightly more democratic, but only just.


Is the $79 Day Pass Worth It?

This is the big question. First, quick myth-bust: Amex Platinum does not get you into Admirals Club. If you don’t have access via an AA Executive card, status, membership, etc., should you pay the $79 or 7900 AA miles?

Yes, if:

  • You have a 3+ hour layover.
  • You need to take three hours of serious meetings.
  • The terminal is at 100% capacity and you’re losing your mind.
  • You plan on eating $79 worth of guacamole (not recommended).

No, if:

  • You’re there for an hour.
  • You just want a beer (buy one at the gate bar for $14 and save the rest).
  • You’re traveling solo and don’t mind sitting at the gate.

A small sandwich with sliced meat and pickles on a sesame seed bun is placed on a black rectangular plate. Next to it is a side of mixed olives and cherry tomatoes. In the background, there is a tall glass of beer. The setting appears to be a casual dining area with soft lighting.
Are light snacks and brewskis worth the price of admission? Photo: American Airlines


For the “already-included” crowd (members, elites, CC/pass holders), it’s a no-brainer. Go in. Get the water. Charge the phone. Leave.

Practical Info

  • Location: Terminal A, near Gate A7.
  • Hours: 4:00 AM to 7:30 PM.
  • Access: Admirals Club members, Oneworld Emerald/Sapphire, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardholders, or that $79 (or 7900 aadvantage miles) day pass.

 

The modhop Verdict

The Admirals Club Newark is a solid B+. It doesn’t have the “wow” factor of a Flagship Lounge or a United Polaris Lounge, but it beats sitting on the floor by Gate A12. The food spread on our visit was a legitimate perk, and the bathrooms are a sanctuary.

If you’re flying American out of EWR, this is your best (and only) bet. Just don’t expect a Michelin-star meal. It’s an airport lounge in New Jersey. Manage your expectations and the guac will taste just fine.

Need more details on how we rank these? Check our full category sitemap for more lounge deep-dives.

Quick Stats Recap:

  • Food: 6/10 (Saved by the soup).
  • Vibe: 8/10 (High ceilings + modern design. Still a modest ~7,050 sq ft lounge, ~137 passengers max.)
  • Crowding: 5/10 (Can get tight in the PM).
  • Wi-Fi: 9/10 (Fast).

If you run into issues or have a different experience, contact us. We’re always looking for the “real story” from the ground.

 

 

Final Thoughts on the EWR Shuffle

Newark is changing. The Admirals Club is part of that. It’s no longer the place you avoid; it’s the place you aim for. Is it worth a long trek on a short connection? No. But if you’re already in A, it’s the only way to fly.

Stay safe out there, and watch out for the Global Entry suspensions if you’re headed international (Newark security lines don’t wait for anyone.)

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Jake Redman
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Jake Redman

Modhop Host & Founder Jake Redman brings years of global exploration and travel tips to the podcast and our videos at Modhop. Jake is also a Producer and Host for SiriusXM.

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