NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United
Airlines and OTG Management LLC today announced plans to transform
the dining and retail experience at the airline's hub at Newark
Liberty International Airport and create unparalleled services and
amenities for United's customers. The program will combine
leading-edge technology, award-winning dining and renowned
design.
The $120 million capital
investment for the project will be provided by OTG, selected by
United to oversee the transformation in Terminal C at Newark
Liberty, including 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," said Kate Gebo, United's vice president of corporate
real estate. "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."
Leading Edge Technology: 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.
Chef-Driven Dining with Unique Local Flavor: More
than 55 new dining venues are anticipated to provide travelers with
an array of culinary choices – including restaurant concepts
created by more than 20 celebrated chefs – as well as markets,
cafes and exceptional food and beverage service in nearly 60 gate
areas. Menus at all price points will emphasize fresh, locally
sourced ingredients, and will highlight regional and local dining
experiences.
Trendsetting Design: Renowned architects and
designers will transform the physical interior of the terminal into
a world-class setting that combines comfort with beautiful, free
flowing spaces.
"Our goal in partnering with United at Newark Liberty is to put
the customer first by creating an environment that is inviting and
engaging," said Rick Blatstein, CEO
of OTG. "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."
Customers will begin seeing immediate improvements in November,
when temporary restaurant locations pop up to offer a taste of
what's to come. The full experience is expected to be phased in
over the next 18 months.
United in New York /
New Jersey
United and United Express offer more flights and more seats from
the New York area to more cities
around the world than any other airline. United and United Express
offer nearly 500 daily departures from the three major New York-area airports to more than 150
destinations – the most in North
America, the most across the Atlantic, the most across the
Pacific and the most to and from Latin
America.
United also offers the most flat-bed seats and extra-legroom
economy-class seating from the New
York area. The airline offers frequent daily service from
the New York-area airports to top
business travel markets including Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los
Angeles and San
Francisco.
About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more
than 5,200 flights a day to 369 airports across six continents. In
2013, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than
any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million
flights carrying 139 million customers. United operates nearly 700
mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing
aircraft, including the B787-9 as the North American launch
customer, and will welcome 27 new E175 aircraft to United Express.
The airline is a founding member of Star
Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 26
member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every
U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information,
visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook.
The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings,
Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.
About OTG
OTG is an award-winning restaurateur, elevating the airport
experience with enhanced dining, design and technology in more than
200 restaurants and retail concepts in 11 airports across
North America. OTG has been
recognized throughout the industry for its exceptional customer
focus and groundbreaking innovation. In 2014, it ranked among the
World's 50 Most Innovative Companies in Fast Company Magazine.
Media Contacts:
OTG: Sean
Aziz, 646-588-9931, sean.aziz@otgmanagement.com
United Airlines Worldwide Media Relations (872) 825-8670,
media.relations@united.com
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SOURCE OTG