United Airlines Tests Gate-Side Food and Essential Item Delivery at Newark Terminal C

New Delivery Service Pilot

United Airlines has launched a pilot program at Newark Liberty International Airport's Terminal C to deliver food, medicine, and travel essentials directly to passengers' departure gates. This service is currently available for select flights departing from or connecting through nine designated gates within the terminal.

How the Service Works

Passengers on eligible flights may receive a pre-departure push notification via the United app or an email. Through the app, they can order items such as salads, sandwiches, snacks, drinks, over-the-counter medicine, travel pillows, and charging cords. Purchases are then delivered to pickup shelves located at the respective gates.

Partnership and Expansion Plans

United is collaborating with OTG, which manages dining and shopping at Newark's Terminal C, for this testing phase. The airline plans to expand the pilot to Houston later this year. If successful, United intends to integrate the service into its in-flight entertainment systems, allowing transit passengers to place orders before landing.

Broader Passenger Convenience Initiatives

In addition to the gate delivery service, United recently introduced a feature allowing passengers to join standby lists via its app for earlier flights in case of travel disruptions. This enables rebooked passengers to sign up for standby on up to three earlier flights and quickly rebook once a seat becomes available.