Skip the Line: United Airlines Pilots In-App Gate Delivery at Newark Airport
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Newark NJ, Rushing between connecting flights or waiting in long concession lines before boarding could soon be a thing of the past for United Airlines passengers.
United has launched a new time-saving feature within the United app, allowing travelers to order meals, beverages, and last-minute travel necessities in advance and pick them up directly at their departure gate.
How Pre-Order Gate Pickup Works
The pilot program is currently live for select domestic and international flights departing from or connecting through nine designated gates (C125–C138) in Terminal C at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
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Pre-Departure Alerts: Eligible passengers receive a push notification through the United app or an email invite prior to their flight.
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Order Mobile: Customers can select from a wide range of menu items—including fresh sandwiches, salads, drinks, kids’ meals, and snacks—as well as essential travel gear like over-the-counter medicine, neck pillows, and charging cables.
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Grab & Go at the Gate: Orders are delivered to a designated pickup shelf near the gate, ready to enjoy before boarding or to take onboard.
Partnering for Speed in High-Traffic Hubs
To power the culinary offerings at Newark, United is collaborating with airport hospitality group OTG to deliver meals from popular Terminal C dining spots, including Nonna’s Kitchen and Victory Grill.
“We focus on where the travel experience can be simpler for customers and innovating to remove friction along the way,” said David Kinzelman, United’s Chief Customer Officer. “Newark is a high-volume connecting hub where customers often have limited time between arriving at the gate and boarding, making it an ideal place to pilot this type of service.”
Future Expansion: Houston and In-Seat Screen Ordering
Following the initial test at Newark, United plans to expand the pilot to George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston later this year, bringing in popular national restaurant brands and direct-to-gate delivery options.
If customer feedback remains positive, United plans to integrate ordering capabilities directly into its seatback inflight entertainment screens, making pre-boarding orders even more seamless.
The test comes as part of United’s broader digital push to streamline air travel, alongside initiatives like fleet-wide Starlink Wi-Fi rollouts, in-app TSA wait-time trackers, and upgraded inflight entertainment.
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