Newark Airport to Get Free Wi-Fi

Many airports around the country offer free Internet access, such as Logan International Airport in Boston and Baltimore/Washington International Airport in Baltimore. For years, travelers and organizations like the Global Gateway Alliance have been pushing for complimentary wireless access in New York City-area airports to match the luxury of others, and now, there’s some good news: free wi-fi will be available beginning in the fall.

In an effort to improve the services and the appearance of New York City-area airports (including Newark Liberty International, LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy International, and regional hub Stewart International), the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has negotiated with Boingo Wireless, Inc. and has approved a plan to introduce free wi-fi to travelers.

Right now, it costs travelers $4.95 per hour or $7.95 per 24 hours to access the airport’s wi-fi network. With the new approved plan, however, each traveler will be allowed 30 minutes of access free of charge. After 30 minutes, travelers can either pay $7.95 for the rest of the day or $9.95 a month.

While 30 minutes of service is free to travelers, it’s not free to the Port Authority – the organization will be spending $400,000 to make wi-fi available for the first year.

In an article by NJ.com, Commissioner Pat Schuber of New Jersey says, “This is a customer service that many of the users of the airports look forward to. It’s modest, it’s a good start, I think.”

In addition to the perk of free wi-fi, travelers will also enjoy a faster Internet speed and better connection signals in the airport terminals.