[title]
Newark Airport is giving eligible flyers a reason to get to the airport early that doesn’t involve anxiety about the security line: gelato, Italian cocktails and a lounge large enough to put its rivals to shame.
American Express has revealed expanded plans for its upcoming Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty International Airport, which will occupy more than 30,000 square feet across two floors in Terminal A. That makes it the largest Centurion Lounge in the network—and considerably bigger than the 18,000-square-foot space originally announced.
RECOMMENDED: This New York airport lounge was just named the best in the world
However, there's a scheduling catch. Previously expected to open this year, the lounge is now slated to open in 2027. An exact opening date hasn’t been announced.
Once it arrives, though, the space will lean into New Jersey’s food traditions with three distinct bars. The Main Bar will serve craft cocktails and curated wines, while a Specialty Bar will offer a modern interpretation of the state’s diner culture. Whether that translates into anything resembling your favorite late-night booth remains to be seen. The Pine Barrens-inspired Terrace Bar sounds particularly promising; there, travelers can expect gelato, Italian pastries and Italian-inspired cocktails celebrating the state’s Italian heritage.
For the coffee-first crowd, a Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar will serve espresso drinks, cold brew and seasonal specialties from a local roaster, along with smoothies, avocado toast and chia pudding.
Food will also include dishes created by the lounge network’s Culinary Collective, with participating chefs including Kwame Onwuachi, Mike Solomonov, Mashama Bailey and Sarah Grueneberg. The design will reference New Jersey’s history, including a sculptural installation honoring its legacy of invention and discovery.
The opening will also complete AmEx’s local airport trifecta: the company says it will become the first credit card issuer with its own lounges at all three major NYC-area airports, joining its existing JFK and LaGuardia locations.
Access, of course, requires more than enthusiasm for airport gelato. Eligible American Express cardholders, including Platinum and Centurion members, receive complimentary entry, subject to lounge rules; guest policies and fees vary.
For now, the terrace cocktails are firmly in the future. But if Newark delivers on this preflight spread, travelers might finally have something to look forward to after security.