Getting essentials before your flight is now as easy as clicking a button, thanks to United Airlines newest app feature.
The Chicago-based carrier is testing a new service that allows travelers to order food, drinks, and travel essentials through the United app and have the items waiting for them at their gate.
The trial is currently taking place for passengers on select flights departing Newark International Airport (EWR) Terminal C.
Newark is United’s hub for most of its transatlantic flights, but the app feature trial will also apply to some domestic flights, too.
Here’s how it works: Passengers on eligible flights will receive a push notification from the United app that allows them to make a purchase from a selection of food items like sandwiches, salads, drinks, kids meals, chips, candy.
The notification will also allow travelers to pick from a list of essential items, including some over the counter medicines, travel pillows, and charging cords.
After making their in-app purchase, travelers can retrieve their items from a special pickup area at their departure gate. Initially, the trial will serve flights leaving from gates C125 through C138 at Newark.
As part of the pilot, United will collaborate with airport hospitality company OTG to support the preparation and delivery of meals from restaurants in Terminal C, like Nonna's Kitchen and Victory Grill.
“The time right before boarding is one of those moments when customers want quick, easy access to food without added complexity," 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."
The airline plans to expand the pilot program to Houston later this year. United will collect customer feedback on the service at Newark and Houston before deciding whether to continue to expand the program.
The carrier said that if it does decide to expand the app ordering service, it plans to also integrate the option into its seatback screens for an even more seamless experience for connecting passengers.
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