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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Design partners include David Rockwell of the Rockwell Group, Jun Aizaki of Creme Designs, David Mexico of David Mexico Design Group and Andrew Cohen and Jeremy Levitt of Parts and Labor 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.
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 option to use mileage redemption for in-person purchases.