New Jersey locals basically treat Newark Liberty International (EWR) like a second home, but when it comes to booking flights from EWR to Maine, things get surprisingly tricky. You’d think a quick hop up the coast would be a no-brainer.
Honestly, it’s not.
Between the fluctuating schedules at Portland International Jetport (PWM) and the seasonal quirks of Bangor (BGR), you could easily end up paying triple or sitting in a three-hour layover in Philadelphia for a flight that should only take 75 minutes. People assume Maine is just "one destination," but if you're trying to reach Acadia or the ski slopes of Sugarloaf, picking the wrong airport—or the wrong airline—is a massive rookie mistake.
The Direct Route Reality Check
If you want to get there without losing a whole day to travel, United Airlines is pretty much the king of this route. As of early 2026, they are the only carrier running consistent, daily non-stop service from Newark to Portland.
You’re looking at about 3 to 4 flights a day.
The morning flight, usually UA4401, leaves around 7:30 AM. It’s the one all the business travelers and hardcore hikers aim for because you’re on the ground in Portland by 9:00 AM. If you miss that, you’re stuck waiting until the afternoon or late evening. United typically uses the Embraer 170 or 175 for these runs—smaller planes, sure, but they’re way more comfortable than the old regional "puddle jumpers" people used to dread.
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What About the Rest of Maine?
This is where the planning usually falls apart. If your destination isn't Portland, the "direct" dream starts to fade.
Bangor (BGR): United does run seasonal direct flights from EWR to Bangor, but don't count on them in the dead of winter. If you're heading to Bar Harbor in July, you might snag a non-stop. In January? You’re likely connecting through Philadelphia on American or D.C. on United.
Presque Isle (PQI): Forget about direct flights from Newark. Seriously. To get to the "County" (Aroostook), you’re almost certainly looking at a JetBlue connection or a drive from Bangor. It’s a 515-mile journey from Newark, and while the distance is short, the logistics are a headache.
Augusta and Knox County: Cape Air is an option if you’re willing to trek over to JFK or Boston, but from EWR, you’re basically looking at a "fly and drive" situation from Portland.
Timing the Market (and the Weather)
You've probably heard that Tuesday is the cheapest day to book. In 2026, the data actually points toward Sunday as the best day to pull the trigger on domestic tickets to the Northeast.
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Prices for flights from EWR to Maine usually hover around $190 to $250 for a round trip if you book a month out. If you’re seeing $400, you’re either booking too late or trying to fly during a holiday weekend like Indigenous Peoples' Day or the 4th of July.
- Cheapest Month: April is often the "sweet spot." The skiers are gone, and the summer tourists haven't arrived yet.
- The Midweek Discount: Flying on a Wednesday can save you about 13% compared to a Sunday return.
- The "Last Flight" Trap: United has a late-night flight (UA3554) that lands in Portland around 11:30 PM. It’s often the cheapest, but keep in mind that most Maine car rental counters close by midnight. If your flight is delayed 20 minutes, you’re taking an Uber to a hotel and coming back the next morning for your car.
The Delta and American Factor
Wait, what about Delta? They fly out of Newark, right?
Yes, but they don't fly non-stop to Maine from EWR. If you're a SkyMiles loyalist, you’re going to be routed through Boston (BOS) or LaGuardia (LGA). Sometimes, you can find a "hidden" deal where a Delta flight with a connection is $100 cheaper than the United direct.
Is a 4-hour total travel time worth saving $100? For a solo backpacker, maybe. For a family of four heading to a wedding in Kennebunkport, definitely not.
American Airlines operates similarly. You’ll see plenty of EWR to PWM options on their site, but look closely at the fine print: most of those stop in Charlotte (CLT) or Philadelphia (PHL). Taking a flight south to North Carolina just to fly back north to Maine is a special kind of travel purgatory.
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Terminal C vs. Terminal A at Newark
Don't just show up at Terminal C because "that’s where United is."
The new Terminal A at Newark is gorgeous, and some of the Maine-bound regional flights have been shifting over there. Check your app before you leave the house. If you end up at the wrong terminal, the AirTrain is free and frequent, but it still adds 20 minutes to your trek.
Terminal C has the better food—shoutout to Garden State Diner—but Terminal A has much shorter security lines if you don't have TSA PreCheck.
Why the "Jetport" is Better Than a Major Airport
One thing people love about flying into Portland (PWM) is that it’s tiny. You can get from your gate to the curb in about 8 minutes. It’s not like Newark where you’re hiking three miles just to find the baggage claim.
When you land in Maine, you’re basically 10 minutes away from the Old Port. You can be eating a lobster roll at Eventide or Highroller Lobster Co. before your checked bags would have even hit the carousel at a place like JFK.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Trip
If you're looking to book soon, here is the exact workflow to get the best deal:
- Use Google Flights Trackers now. Set an alert for EWR to PWM and EWR to BGR. The prices for Maine flights are notoriously volatile—they'll drop to $140 for three hours and then spike back to $300.
- Verify the aircraft. If you see a "United Express" flight operated by GoJet, it's usually a CRJ-550. These are actually great because they have extra luggage space for carry-ons, which is rare for small planes.
- Check the car rental prices before the flight. Sometimes a cheap flight to Bangor is offset by a $600 weekly car rental. Portland usually has more inventory and lower prices.
- Aim for the 7:30 AM departure. It’s the most reliable flight in terms of weather delays. Afternoon thunderstorms in the Jersey area during summer are the #1 cause of cancellations for this route.
Skip the temptation to fly into Boston and drive up I-95 unless you absolutely have to. The tolls and the "Mass Pike" traffic will turn your 2-hour trip into a 5-hour ordeal. Stick to the direct Newark to Portland hop whenever the budget allows.