Review: New United Club Newark (Terminal C)

Location
EWR, Terminal C
Date
May 2022
Rating

En route back to Toronto from Europe, my husband and I enjoyed a short one-night layover in New York City. Originally, we were to fly out of LaGuardia; however, upon learning that Newark’s new United Club Lounge had just opened at the end of May, I had our flight changed to depart out of Newark instead. 

There was a lot of hype about this lounge, so I was quite excited to give it a try, and in the end, the lounge did not disappoint. 

In This Post

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Access

The new United Club Lounge is located in Terminal C, close to Gate 123. Terminal C is United’s hub, so if you’re flying with WestJet or Air Canada, you will be flying out of Terminal A or B and you’ll need to find your way to Terminal C. 

Luckily, the terminals are well-connected. Once you’re airside, it is relatively easy to move from one terminal to the next by shuttle bus.

I was flying out with Air Canada, and had checked in at Terminal A. Once through security, make a sharp turn to the left, near where gate A28 is located, and you’ll find a door and signage directing you down a stairwell to the shuttle bus area. 

Shuttles between Terminals A and C run back and forth from 5am to 10pm, which happens to be the same hours that the lounge is open. When I got to the shuttle area, a bus was already there waiting.

The ride to the next terminal took no longer than three minutes and dropped us off close to Gate C70. From here, it took another five minute walk to Gate C123, where an escalator takes you up to the lounge. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Escalator

At the entrance, there are kiosks to scan your boarding pass to get you in. If you run into issues, there are agents at the desk to help. 

United Club lounges are accessible to United or Star Alliance business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members. In my case, I used my Star Alliance Gold status as a result of being an Aeroplan 50K member to access the lounge, and I was also able to bring in a guest as a Star Alliance Gold member.

Note that if you’re flying United or Star Alliance business class on a long-haul international route departing from Newark, you’ll have access to the United Polaris Lounge as well, which has superior dining, bar, and wellness options and would be a better choice to visit than this United Club.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Seating

When you first enter the lounge, you’ll notice that it’s well-lit, large, spread-out and, clean. It has a modern look to it, with grey walls and floors, as well as black and wooden accents for furnishings. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Interior decor

There are also accent walls around the lounge that feature a different colour and design, or are simply made of red brick. Splashes of colour are seen in the lounge’s various seating options and on decorative books and other items throughout.

The lounge offers over 480 seats set up in a variety of seating options and arrangements, most with outlets and USB ports nearby. The lounge is a busy one; however, because of its size, you shouldn’t have much difficult finding a space to sit. 

Long tables that can seat up to 10 guests are scattered throughout the lounge, with adequate lighting. They make for great workstations or just as a spot for a large family or group to gather. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Table seating
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Window seating

A few cubbies are also available for those who prefer a bit of privacy. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Cubby seating

All seats are padded. I tried a few and they’re quite comfortable. You’ll find options like couches, loveseats, and various types of chairs.

Most are arranged to seat groups of two or four, but there are some areas that will seat more.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Couch seating
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Seating

Wherever there is seating, you’ll find a USB and power port nearby. They’ll be on walls, tables, or even on the underside of chairs.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Power port

If you want a change of scenery, head over to the other side of the lounge, where you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the planes, gates, and runway.

Here, there are individual seats with footrests that are perfect for just lounging alone or with a friend, separated from you by a side table.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Lounge chairs with tarmac views

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Dining

As soon as you enter the lounge, there is a “hydration” centre to the left. It’s perfect for travellers who just want to grab a quick snack or drink before hurrying off to their flight. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Hydration centre  

The station has a variety of salty snack options, including Doritos, Sun Chips, Lays, pretzels, and popcorn chips.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Salty snacks

There is also a hot beverage station, snack mix dispensary, and a few cold drink dispensers containing water with fresh lemon and lime slices or grapefruit juice. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Snack mix dispensary
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Hot beverage station

Continuing on, you’ll walk down main hallway of the lounge where the washrooms are located. At the end of the hallway, it opens up into the main dining area. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Hallway 

Seating areas along the far wall has booths that can accommodate up six people. Otherwise, smaller tables are set apart to seat up to four people, with larger linear tables that can seat up to 10. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Main dining area

There is a long buffet station with different food options spread along it. On one end, there are sandwiches and dessert.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Sandwich buffet
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Dessert buffet

On the other side, there’s a soup station and charcuterie board, a salad bar, and the main hot meal stations. During our visit, this consisted of a taco station with a choice of chicken or pork and a variety of toppings. 

The buffet station and dining area are well-staffed. Staff members constantly wiping down surfaces, cleaning up after guests, and picking up garbage, keeping the area spotless. 

Beverage stations are also located nearby, with hot beverage dispensers and Coke Freestyle machines.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Hot beverage dispenser
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Coke Freestyle machine

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Bar

On the other side of the dining area is the coffee and alcohol bar. Like the buffet station, it is long and well-staffed, with a few attendants. You can have a seat at the bar on a padded barstool or take your drink with you. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Bar

The coffee bar is at the end of the station and staffed by a couple of baristas. Around the corner is the alcohol bar, which offers a great selection of complimentary drinks, including draught beer, wines, and spirits. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Bar
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Draught beer  

Other options are available for purchase as well, like the various types of more premium liquor displayed on the shelf.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Hard alcohol selection

And while you’re enjoying your drink, you can catch your favourite sports game on one of the three TVs spread out along the bar.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Showers

The restrooms were clean, large, and spacious, which is befitting for a lounge this size. The decor matches that of the rest of the lounge, with black metal and wooden accents.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Restroom

There is also an all-gender restroom, which shows that United is keeping up with the times.  

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – All-gender restroom

There are six showers for guests to use on a first-come, first-served basis. You have to show the attendant your boarding pass to use them.

The showers are situated in their own bathrooms and, once again, were spacious and clean. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Entrance to showers
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Check-in area for showers
United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Shower rooms

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Other Facilities

Located centrally in the lounge is an assistance desk for guests with any issues on United-marketed flight. 

Although no boarding announcements are made, there are large screens displaying flight departure information dotted throughout the lounge.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – United service desk            

For families travelling with babies or young toddlers, there is a wellness room for nursing and diaper changes.

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Wellness room

Finally, for those who are in the mood for a little friendly competition at the airport, there is a single foosball table for guests to enjoy. 

United Club Newark (Terminal C) – Foosball table

Conclusion

I had a very enjoyable experience at the the all-new United Club Newark. From what I’ve been told by a United agent, it’s the best United Club you’ll find anywhere, and will serve as the standard for all future United Club lounges.

The lounge is a clean, bright, and spacious area with plenty of space to accommodate guests. It has a great bar and a decent variety of snack and food items.

The amenities are well-suited for any traveller, from business travellers to those taking a trip solo or with friends and family.

I didn’t have my kids with me this time, so I can’t get their opinion. As a family traveller, the only improvement I’d make is adding a play space or entertainment area for children. For now, the plethora of snack options should be enough to keep them occupied and happy.

5 Comments
  1. Christian

    I recently became Star Alliance Gold through Singapore and Oneworld Emerald through American. If I’m flying United, will my *A Gold show on my boarding pass if I don’t enter my Singapore frequent flier number?

    1. Rachel YYZ

      You’ll need to have your Singapore Krisflyer number attached to your boarding pass. Alternatively, you can try showing your Singapore Gold card at the lounge gate and they could manually scan you in.

  2. BigG

    Is it after security or before ?How do you get back to air Canada terminal? What are the logistics?

    1. Amy YYZ

      Airside, meaning after security. You get back by going back the same way you came 😉… no need to go through security checks again.

      1. BigG

        Thank you for this . I should have read a little more carefully. I have a layover shortly in Newark and this definitely seems to be a better option then the woeful maple leaf lounge. Thanks again

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