United Airlines and OTG Management have unveiled a collaboration of chefs and designers, along with leading-edge electronic payment technology, that will create an unmatched travel experience at the airline’s hub at Newark Liberty International Airport. In September, the two companies announced that United had selected OTG to transform the shopping and dining experience in Terminal C at Newark Liberty, with a $120 million project funded by OTG.
The Largest Collection of Chef-Driven Restaurants Anywhere in the Country
Internationally and regionally acclaimed chefs—including four with Michelin stars—are creating restaurant concepts that will make the terminal itself a destination for travelers. Saison, a classic French bistro by Alain Ducasse; Vesper Tavern, a gastropub-style tavern by Paul Liebrandt; Riviera offering French country fare by Alex Guarnaschelli; Mario Carbone lending his take on classic Italian with an Italian steakhouse; and Josh Capon’s SRF Bar, featuring a surf bar and sushi oasis with a fresh catch every day are among the inspired dining offerings.
Food halls are being reinvented as a global bazaar of exciting culinary choices, with chefs hand-pulling fresh noodles at Kaedama, Shoushin Yanaura’s ramen bar; authentic Mexican street fare at Alex Stupak’s Taqa Taqueria; Nonna’s Meatball Cafe by Amanda Freitag; and hand-crafted treats at Jacques Torres’ Melange Bakery.
In total, more than 55 new dining venues will provide travelers with an array of culinary choices, offering menus at all price points that emphasize fresh, locally sourced ingredients and highlighting regional and local dining experiences. OTG owns and operates all restaurants with the chef partners driving restaurant concepts and menus.
State-of-the-Art Designs by Rockwell Group, Crème Designs, David Mexico Design Group, Parts and Labor Design
Renowned architects and designers will reshape the dining and retail space of the terminal into a world-class setting that combines comfort with beautiful, free-flowing spaces, seamlessly integrating technology, craftsmanship and design. Nearly 60 gate areas will also be updated with custom seating and tables creating a lounge-like atmosphere. And, as in the restaurants, travelers can use iPads throughout the gate areas to track their flights in real-time and order food, beverages and other amenities via a visual menu available in 20 different languages, with orders delivered to customers’ seats within 15 minutes. Additionally, travelers will not have to search for a power outlet, with over 10,000 outlets and USB interfaces accompanying the redesigned terminal seating, along with complimentary Internet browsing on nearly 6,000 OTG iPads.
Leading Edge Electronic Payment Technology: Pay With MileagePlus Award Miles | A New Flyer-Friendly Way to Pay for Airport Purchases
In an industry first, United MileagePlus members will be able to use award miles to purchase dining and retail amenities at Newark Liberty Terminal C restaurants and stores using OTG’s unique iPad customer experience platform. This innovative technology marks the first time travelers will have the op:on to use mileage redemption for in-person purchases. Customers will be able to scan their boarding pass or enter their MileagePlus number on any of the almost 6,000 iPads that will be available throughout the terminal’s restaurants, bars and gate areas when the project is complete. The iPad will display the customer’s up-to-date flight information and offer dining or beverage options in up to 20 different languages. The cost of the items will be displayed in both dollars and miles, and at check out, MileagePlus members will have the op:on to pay with award miles, offering a seamless experience for the savvy traveler.
With this integration, United and OTG are reimagining the airport experience at Newark Liberty’s Terminal C through elevated dining, design and technology.
With the redesign already underway at Terminal C, more than 45 of the new restaurants and retail markets will open over the next seven weeks in a transition program. Offering a taste of what’s to come, menus will highlight the chef-curated dishes and customers will be able to experience the new technology with an initial 1,000 iPads. The full experience is expected to be phased in over the next 18 months, with the first permanent installations debuting in the summer of 2015.
