United Airlines on Monday announced plans for major expansion and transformation of its hub terminal at Newark Liberty International Airport, saying the plans for dining and retail establishments will combine “leading-edge technology, award-winning dining and renowned design.”
The $120 million capital investment for the project will be provided by OTG Management, which was chosen by United after a request for proposal process, to oversee the transformation in Terminal C at Newark Liberty. That will include new chef-driven restaurants, expansive food halls, gourmet markets and world-class retail and duty-free shops.
“Travelers today want the same high-quality dining and shopping choices in the airport that they have at home,” Kate Gebo, United’s vice president of corporate real estate, said in a statement. “In collaboration with OTG, United is creating a customer experience at Newark Liberty that will provide exceptional food, beverage and retail options with the comfort and high-tech amenities that our customers have come to expect.”
How about this for starters? Upon completion of the planned project, air travelers waiting for a flight will be able to use almost 6,000 iPad tablets free of charge to track their flight, order from chef-created menus, and purchase travel amenities for delivery directly to their seat in the terminal while browsing the internet. And customers will not have to search for an outlet, with over 10,000 outlets and USB interfaces accompanying the redesigned terminal seating.
More than 55 new dining venues are anticipated.
“Our goal in partnering with United at Newark Liberty is to put the customer first by creating an environment that is inviting and engaging,” Rick Blatstein, CEO of OTG, said in a statement. “Ultimately, the time spent inside of an airport is very much a part of the journey, and our team envisioned an experience that would appeal to all customers and complement the United brand from terminal to aircraft.”
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