V-Flyer

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is the big attraction in Newark? I have always wondered why there are so many flights a day from Heathrow to Newark. Is New Jersey a key business location? Is it an alternative for those going to NYC?

Seriously? EWR is a great alternative to New York's congested major hub. It is closer to Manhattan and there are good links to the city. Recommended without hesitation.

Easy route into Manhattan. Personally would rather fly into JFK though, always a better approach into the city in my mind.

All unto their own though 8D

Newark is to New York what Gatwick is to London. Not the primary hub airport, but less congested and convenient to get to.

If your in the city. Just found this interesting fact: 'Virgin Atlantic Airways began service between Newark and London in 1984, challenging JFK's status as New York's international gateway'. Looking at its location its logical, but actually being in New Jersey through me off. I thought it was odd that New Jersey was such a popular holidays/business destination!

FLYERZ wrote: I thought it was odd that New Jersey was such a popular holidays/business destination!

I don't think it is! Most fly into Newark (in the same way they fly into JFK) then get the bus, taxi, train into NYC.

I prefer Newark

No, I completely see the logic. I meant I thought it would be odd for New Jersey to be a popular stand-alone destination. It makes sense, acting as an alternative to JFK into New York.

I should have known that though. I've been to New York at least 10 times!

If you think about EWR and JFK essentially capture different but overlapping catchment areas, both serve Manhattan, but JFK also Long Island, CT, and other areas north of New York, whereas EWR serves parts of NY State, NJ, and also Philly. It's not that they're comparable to LHR and LGW, where the route network can have little overlap - but they are highly comparable to each other. In passenger numbers yes JFK is ahead at about 44m a year, but EWR isn't far behind at 35m. So:

Luke12 wrote:I don't think it is! Most fly into Newark (in the same way they fly
into JFK) then get the bus, taxi, train into NYC.

Not true - I should think most who fly to EWR, like most who fly to JFK don't actually go into NYC. I fly into EWR regularly and sometimes don't set foot in New York.

FLYERZ wrote:I meant I thought it would be odd for New Jersey to be a popular stand-alone destination. It makes sense, acting as an alternative to JFK into New York.

No one would even charitably call NY a tourist destination, but there is a lot of business in NJ.

gumshoe wrote:Newark is to New York what Gatwick is to London. Not the primary hub airport, but less congested and convenient to get to.

EWR is a hub airport - it is UA's biggest one so not comparable to LGW. But I agree it can be less congested and at times easier to get to - just don't try by car on a Friday afternoon (it does of course have the advantage of a slightly direct train service to Penn St.)!

FLYERZ wrote:i meant I thought it would be odd for New Jersey to be a popular stand-alone destination.

Perhaps for Bruce Springsteen fans....

gumshoe wrote:Newark is to New York what Gatwick is to London. Not the primary hub airport, but less congested and convenient to get to.

I know what you mean, but I am not sure that the LGW analogy is right. After all, there is a good handful of daily flights from EWR to LHR, but nothing between LGW and NYC at all (so far as I can see).

Is EWR really less convenient than JFK? I am not so sure. If you are going by taxi/car, it is much of a muchness in my experience. Train involves connecting to an airtrain at both airports. There is a decent coach service from midtown for both. Admittedly no subway option for EWR, but you can get the PATH to Newark and then switch to the train if you are determined!

at240 wrote: but nothing between LGW and NYC at all (so far as I can see).

Check out US Airways

joeyc wrote:Check out US Airways

?| I might be being stupid but I can't see a service to NYC. Their LGW service to CLT is ending next week, I think.

at240 wrote:

joeyc wrote:Check out US Airways

?| I might be being stupid but I can't see a service to NYC. Their LGW service to CLT is ending next week, I think.

Nope I am the one being stupid... just looked and no direct flights. All route through Hubs like CLT.. Sorry :#

On a side note, was there not once upon a time a direct USAirways flight from LGW to NYC? I swear I have been on one, or was so spaced out/tired/drunk that I do not recall a stopover... entirely possible

Continental used to fly LGW to EWR, and BA used to have a flight from LGW to JFK - all long gone when consolidated at LHR.

I have used Newark a couple of times on the late flight...arriving in around midnight and then yomping across the city to JFK for the 6am Jet Blue down to florida and it was suprisingly easy.
first time took longer just because i kept just missing connections but the second I think from disembarking at EWR to walking into JFK only took a couple of hours , all in the middle of the night.
I would think daytime when trains are more frequent its a nice easy trip into the city.
i never ever felt worried doing the journey though Penn Station at 3am is an interesting place

slinky09 wrote:Continental used to fly LGW to EWR, and BA used to have a flight from LGW to JFK - all long gone when consolidated at LHR.

Cheers slinky, was def a US carrier so it must have been continental. How long ago are we talking though?

flabound wrote: though Penn Station at 3am is an interesting place

How so? In my mind I can see Scooby and the mystery gang waiting at the next platform

Given the choice, I would always choose to fly into Newark when visiting NYC, personal preference, but always seem to have a smoother trip from airplane to hotel when flying into Newark

joeyc wrote:

flabound wrote: though Penn Station at 3am is an interesting place

How so? In my mind I can see Scooby and the mystery gang waiting at the next platform

I think I remember a trip report which suggested Jesus was in the queue at Mcdonnalds.