Accessibility
Newark (EWR) Airport Accessibility & Wheelchair Services
Wheelchair assistance at Newark Liberty International Airport is provided free by your airline — request it at booking for best results. For security screening help, call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel to have a Passenger Support Specialist waiting at the checkpoint. Family lanes, service animal relief areas, and sensory rooms are covered below.
Airline-provided service
Wheelchair assistance
Request at booking or at your airline's check-in counter; United Airlines and other EWR carriers provide wheelchair assistance through their ground teams in Terminals A, B, and C.
Tip: request at booking rather than at the airport — airline wheelchair assistants are in higher demand at peak times and early requests are filled first.
TSA Cares
Free security screening assistance
TSA Cares is a free helpline and on-site assistance program for travelers with disabilities, medical conditions, or other circumstances that may affect the security screening process.
How to use: Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the EWR security checkpoint and guide you through screening at no charge.
A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the checkpoint. Call 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before travel; specify your terminal (A, B, or C). Terminal A has a dedicated sensory lane staffed by specially trained TSA personnel.
Security lanes
Family lane available
Dedicated family and special-needs lanes at checkpoints in all three terminals (A, B, C). Terminal A has the most developed accessibility program, including a sensory-friendly dedicated TSA screening lane.
Service animal relief areas
Before security at all curbside areas in each terminal; after security, service animal relief areas are in each terminal concourse — ask any EWR staff member for the nearest location.
Note: service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow individual airline policies — check with your carrier before travel.
Quiet and sensory room
Quiet/sensory room available — Terminal A has two dedicated sensory rooms — one before security and one after — as part of EWR's continuous sensory journey program for travelers with hidden disabilities. Ask at the Terminal A information desk for access.
Wheelchair and mobility device rentals
Available from Guest Services in each terminal (A, B, C) and at baggage claim. Contact EWR at 973-961-6000 for specific terminal locations.
Motorized scooters and power wheelchairs are generally available from airlines for gate-to-gate use; contact your carrier directly if you need a motorized device beyond a standard transport chair.
Pro Tip
EWR Terminal A has a purpose-built sensory journey with paired pre- and post-security quiet rooms and a dedicated TSA Cares screening lane between them — one of the most complete accessible security experiences at any US airport. If sensory needs are a factor in your travel, consider booking airlines that fly from Terminal A.
Frequently asked questions
Is wheelchair assistance free at EWR airport?
Yes — wheelchair assistance at EWR is provided free of charge by your airline or their contracted ground handler. Request it at booking or check-in. The airline arranges and covers the cost; no tipping is required, though it is appreciated.
How do I contact TSA Cares before my flight from EWR?
Call TSA Cares at 1-855-787-2227 at least 72 hours before your flight. The helpline is open weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET and weekends/holidays 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET. You can also submit a request online at tsa.gov/contact-center/form/cares. A Passenger Support Specialist will meet you at the EWR security checkpoint at no cost.
Does EWR airport have a family security lane?
Yes — Newark Liberty International Airport has a dedicated family and special-assistance security lane. Dedicated family and special-needs lanes at checkpoints in all three terminals (A, B, C). Terminal A has the most developed accessibility program, including a sensory-friendly dedicated TSA screening lane.
Where is the service animal relief area at EWR airport?
Before security at all curbside areas in each terminal; after security, service animal relief areas are in each terminal concourse — ask any EWR staff member for the nearest location. Service animals are permitted throughout all airport areas without restriction. Emotional support animals follow your individual airline's policies.
See also: EWR TSA PreCheck lanes · Flying with disabilities guide · EWR security tips
Know exactly when to leave for the airport
The Leave-By Time calculator folds the live EWR TSA wait, real-time drive time from your door, and gate-walk distance into one exact time to leave home — no guesswork.
Calculate my Leave-By Time →