Getting to or from a New York area airport is its own sport. This week, there are three major developments every traveler should know about before booking a car, catching a train, or assuming the AirTrain will just be there.
Newark Liberty (EWR): AirTrain Still Down Weekdays — Plan Extra Time
If you’re flying out of Newark, the single most important thing to know right now is this: AirTrain service between the Airport Train Station and the terminals is not available Monday through Friday from 5 AM to 3 PM. This has been in effect since January 15, 2026, as part of the Port Authority’s $3.5 billion AirTrain Newark Replacement Program, which entered major guideway construction earlier this year.
During weekday outage windows, shuttle buses replace the AirTrain between the NJ Transit rail station and the terminals. Buses run every four to five minutes, but if you’re arriving with luggage on a tight timeline, add at least 15 minutes to your travel buffer. Airport staff are stationed at the pickup areas to assist passengers with heavy bags and mobility needs.
The good news: AirTrain runs normally on weekends, and the Port Authority has said it will pause construction disruptions during peak travel periods — including between Memorial Day and Labor Day. So summer travelers should have full AirTrain access by late May. But if you’re flying Newark this week or next, the shuttle is your reality.
The AirTrain replacement project is expected to complete around 2030. In the meantime, the intra-terminal loop (between Terminal A, B, C, and parking) continues operating normally — it’s only the connection to the rail station that’s affected.
JFK: Two New Terminals Are Coming Online in 2026
JFK is in the middle of a generational transformation, and 2026 is the year it becomes impossible to ignore at the terminal level.
Terminal 6 — First Six Gates Opening Now
The new Terminal 6, the $4.2 billion public-private redevelopment led by JFK Millennium Partners and the Port Authority, is opening its first phase with six initial gates in the first half of 2026. Terminal 6 integrates directly with Terminal 5, expanding JetBlue’s footprint on JFK’s north side, and will host 15 airlines at full build-out — including Lufthansa, Air Canada, ANA, Cathay Pacific, and Icelandair. Two existing AirTrain stations connect directly into the project.
Terminal 1 — 13-Gate First Phase Opening in June 2026
The entirely new Terminal One is scheduled to open its first 13 gates in June 2026. When complete, the 2.6 million square-foot facility will house Air France, Korean Air, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, China Airlines, and others. The arrivals and departures hall and ground transit center are designed from scratch, so the experience will feel nothing like the old JFK international terminals.
For travelers navigating JFK right now: AirTrain access and terminal signage will be in flux as construction nears completion. Allow extra time if your airline is moving terminals or if you’re connecting through JFK on an international itinerary.
TSA Wait Times: What’s Realistic Right Now
JFK general screening has been running in the 40-minute range during peak morning and evening windows. TSA PreCheck moves noticeably faster at all three airports. LaGuardia has generally shorter waits thanks to Terminal B’s modern design and the concentrated domestic schedule. EWR waits are variable — Terminal B and C tend to move faster than Terminal A during peak hours.
The practical rule: arrive two hours before domestic departures, 2.5 to 3 hours for international. If you don’t have PreCheck and fly regularly, it’s worth applying — enrollment centers are available at all three airports.
Commuter Tip
EWR this week: If your NJ Transit or Amtrak train arrives at Newark Airport Station before 3 PM on a weekday, factor in the shuttle bus, not the AirTrain. Give yourself an extra 15 minutes and look for the orange-vested Port Authority staff near the platform — they’ll point you to the bus. On weekends and after 3 PM weekdays, the AirTrain runs normally.
Ground Transport Quick Reference
- JFK to Manhattan: AirTrain to Jamaica (LIRR) or Howard Beach (A train) — typically 45–75 min depending on destination. Express bus (NYC Airporter) and taxi/rideshare from the terminal loop also available.
- LGA to Manhattan: M60 SBS bus to 125th St subway (free transfer), or rideshare. The LGA AirTrain light rail remains under development — no completion date announced yet.
- EWR to Manhattan: NJ Transit or Amtrak to Penn Station — roughly 30 min once you’re on the train. Plus the shuttle buffer noted above, weekdays until 3 PM.
Knowing the ground transport math before you land saves you from making panicked decisions at baggage claim. Build it into your itinerary before you fly.
