With graduations coming up for the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, Drexel University and learning institutions all over the Philadelphia area, students are making their plans to travel home or on vacation, gearing up for a warm and leisurely summer break. For many of our students, this includes departing on flights from Newark Liberty Airport (EWR), Philadelphia Airport (PHL) or JFK Airport (JFK).

If you are one of those students with plans to “skip out’ for the summer on a flight to unknown destinations, the last things you want to do (after working your butt off all year with your studies) is to subject yourself to hassles and aggravation at the airport. While we can’t eliminate every single inconvenience from the flying process, we can still offer some valuable tips and information that will help you get prepared and ensure the smoothest possible sailing out of the Philadelphia area airports.

EWR, PHL, or JFK Airports – What to Know Before You Fly

Being prepared when heading to Philadelphia area airports will take a great deal of hassle and inconvenience out of your travel experience. Knowing what to expect will speed up your check-in process and make the overall process go far more smoothly. The following provides some general information about the airports and will assist with some of those all-important preparations.

About the Airports

Newark Liberty international Airport (EWR) has 3 major terminals. A complete airport map is available at the Newark Liberty International Airport website.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) consists of 7 terminals. A complete airport map is available at the Philadelphia International Airport website.

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) consists of 8 terminals. A complete airport map is available at the John F. Kennedy International Airport website.

Airport Travel Tips

1. Find out what fees are associated with each airline booking (especially the hidden ones!)
2. Contact the Airport to learn baggage weight limits, fees and best practices for your ticketed airline.
3. Dress for travel – comfortable sneakers and loose-fitting clothing will ensure your comfort regardless of the length of your flight.
4. Think ahead; make sure all items you will need immediately on hand are in a convenient, easily-reachable spot so you don’t have to shuffle through your belongings at the last minute to find needed items, (i.e. your boarding pass!)

Airport Security Rules & Regs

To save time and hassles  at airport security checkpoints, make sure to be prepared by familiarizing yourself with the airport’s security measures before you travel. Here are some of the details to keep in mind:

• Pack luggage in layers (to increase visibility of scanned baggage)
• Have your ID and boarding pass readily available, as well as Visa/passport if applicable
• Remove outer garments, (jackets, hats, etc) and shoes
• Empty your pockets of keys, coins and other loose metal objects and place them in your carry-on, so everything may be scanned at once.
• Place as many items as possible in checked baggage; carry-ons should contain only those items needed immediately.
• If carrying medications, be sure to keep them in their original packaging, and bring accompanying prescription cards.
• Arrive early to allow for time to proceed through security checkpoints, particularly during high-travel seasons.

What items are allowed or prohibited on flights?

Liquids, aerosols and gels for carry-ons are permitted in limited quantities, (one bag allowed in order to limit total volume.) Place any non-essential liquids in checked luggage for faster check-in.

Place these items into one bag and X-ray them separately from the carry-on bag for faster security checking.

Loose (spare) Lithium batters are not permitted in checked baggage, (only those batteries properly inserted into portable devices.) Certain types of Lithium batteries are permitted in carry-on luggage, such as those used in cell phones or laptops, provided that steps have been taken to cover battery terminals.

Other items regulated by security procedures and limits include:

• Sharp Objects
• Sporting Goods
• Firearms
• Tools
• Martial Arts Items
• Explosive & Flammable Materials
• Candles
• Aerosols
• Snow Globes

For details about these regulated items, check the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website.

Airport Contact Info

For more information about fees, maps, schedules and additional airport specifics, contact the airport from which you’ll be traveling:

Newark Liberty international Airport (EWR)
Phone: 973.961.6000 |  Website: www.panynj.gov/airports/newark-liberty.html‎

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phone: 215.937.6937 |  Website: www.phl.org

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Phone: 718.244.4444 | Website: www.panynj.gov/airports/jfk.html‎

EWR, PHL or JFK Airport Transportation

Traffic in and around the airports can get really congested, as you may already know – particularly during rush hour times and on weekends. If the frustration of navigating busy thoroughfares, in addition to airport check-in and boarding, sounds less than inviting to you after a year of classrooms, studying, schedules and deadlines, consider hiring a Philadelphia area airport transportation service to take some of the pressure off your travel experience, so you can step away from it all and start your vacation before you even board your flight!

Hired drivers have a great deal of experience and familiarity with area roadways and travel routes, and airport transportation services have become surprisingly affordable in recent years — definitely worth looking into! Simply request a quick, no-obligation rate quote online and see how easy it can be to get to the airport… and on to a great summer in no time!

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