If you're staring at your phone right now wondering if you should leave for Jersey twenty minutes early, I feel you. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is a beast on a good day. But honestly, airport delays at Newark today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, are surprisingly chill—mostly.
Right now, the FAA is reporting "normal" status. That sounds great on paper, but if you've flown out of Newark more than twice, you know "normal" is a relative term. Currently, we're seeing departure gate holds and taxi delays of about 15 minutes or less. Arrival traffic is also holding steady with airborne delays under 15 minutes. It’s basically the "green light" version of EWR.
But don't get too comfortable.
The AirTrain situation is kind of a mess
So, here's the thing. While the planes are moving, the ground infrastructure is in the middle of a massive $3.5 billion facelift. If you usually take NJ Transit or Amtrak to the Newark Liberty Airport Station, listen up.
Starting tomorrow, January 15, the AirTrain service to and from the rail station is shutting down daily from 5:00 AM to 3:00 PM. I know, it’s annoying. Since today is the 14th, you might see some early prep work or "soft" interruptions as they gear up for this.
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Basically, if you're coming in by train today, you're fine for now, but keep an eye on those shuttle bus signs. By tomorrow, you’ll be forced onto a bus between the train station and the terminals. It adds at least 20 minutes to your trek.
Why Newark is behaving (for once)
Weather is the usual suspect for why Newark turns into a parking lot. Today, we've got VFR (Visual Flight Rules) conditions for the most part. The sky is overcast at about 10,000 feet, but visibility is solid at over 6 miles.
Winds are coming out of the south-southwest at a lazy 6 knots. That’s nothing.
However, the forecast shows light rain creeping in later tonight, around 10:00 PM or 11:00 PM. Once that mist and rain hit, visibility drops to 4-5 miles, and we shift into MVFR (Marginal Visual Flight Rules). That’s usually when the FAA starts twitching. If you're on a late-night flight, you might see those 15-minute delays creep up to 30 or 45 minutes as the "conga line" on the taxiway slows down.
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Terminal A vs. Terminal B: A tale of two wait times
Newark is a lopsided airport right now. Terminal A—the shiny new $2.7 billion darling—is running like a dream. Security wait times there are hovering around 3 to 4 minutes.
Terminal B is a different story. It’s the international hub, and it feels its age. Security lines at Terminal B (specifically gates 40-49) have been hitting 30 minutes today. If you're flying international, do not—I repeat, do not—cut it close.
- Terminal A: 3-minute wait (Standard), 1-minute (PreCheck).
- Terminal B: 30-minute wait (Standard), 8-minute (PreCheck).
- Terminal C: 4-minute wait (Standard), 4-minute (PreCheck).
It's weird that Terminal C (the United stronghold) is actually faster than B today, but that’s the reality of the Wednesday mid-morning lull.
The "Hidden" delay: Parking and Taxis
If you’re driving, the Terminal A garage is currently closed to everyone except people who pre-booked or employees. This is a huge trap. If you roll up without a reservation, you’re going to be diverted to P4 or the economy lots, which means more shuttle buses and more "incidental" airport delays at Newark today that won't show up on a flight tracker.
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Also, a quick heads-up on the Corbin Street ramp: it's closed. Construction crews are everywhere. The airport is basically a giant orange cone right now.
Actionable steps for your EWR flight
Don't just trust the "On Time" status on your airline's app. Those apps are often the last to know when a ground stop is actually brewing.
- Check the FAA National Airspace System (NAS) dashboard. It’s a clunky, government-looking site, but it tells you if Newark is under a "Ground Delay Program" before your airline admits it.
- Pre-book parking or use a rideshare. Seriously. The "Garage Full" signs are out, and circling the loop at EWR is a special kind of hell.
- Monitor the late-night rain. If your flight is after 9:00 PM, expect the "gate hold" to lengthen.
- Download the Port Authority "RideEWR" app. It gives real-time updates on the AirTrain and shuttle buses, which is vital given the construction.
Newark is manageable today, but it's a fragile peace. One gust of wind or a broken-down AirTrain car, and the whole deck of cards falls. Give yourself the extra 30 minutes—even if the app says everything is perfect.
Check your specific flight number on a tracker like FlightAware or FlightRadar24 to see where your incoming plane actually is. If it’s stuck in Chicago or Charlotte, it doesn't matter how clear the skies are in Jersey; you're going to be sitting at the gate.
Stay ahead of the rain, watch the Terminal B security lines, and you'll make it through Newark without losing your mind.