The service is currently being offered at select gates at Newark Liberty International, with plans to expand to Houston later this year

NEED TO KNOW

• United Airlines is testing a service at Newark Airport allowing passengers to pre-order food and essentials for gate pickup
• Customers can order items like meals, snacks, and travel accessories through the United app for pickup at designated shelves
• United plans to expand the service to Houston and potentially other airports based on customer feedback

United Airlines is testing a new “time-saving customer benefit” promising to have travelers’ food, drinks and other essentials seamlessly delivered to them at their gate.

On Sept. 2, the Chicago-based carrier announced it has launched a new service that allows customers to purchase goods in advance through the United app and have their orders waiting at the gate. The items will be available on a designated pickup shelf to enjoy at the gate or to bring on board their flight. 

According to a company press release, customers will receive a pre-departure push notification from the United app or an email prompting them to pick from a selection of “sandwiches, salads, drinks, kids meal, chips, candy and more” as well as other travel essentials like “select over-the-counter medicine, travel pillows and charging cords.” 

The service is currently being offered at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport on select flights departing from or connecting through nine gates in Terminal C. The gates include both domestic and international departures. 

United says it is working with Newark’s hospitality management company, OTG, on the preparation and delivery of meals from participating airport restaurants, including Nonna’s Kitchen and Victory Grill.

David Kinzelman, United’s chief customer officer, says Newark is the “ideal place to pilot this type of service,” noting that it is a high-volume connecting hub where travelers have limited time between gate arrivals and boarding. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Newark, the facility welcomed 47 million passengers in 2025. 

United says it will expand this service to Houston later this year, promising additional national restaurant brands and more options for customers to pick up or have delivered to their gate. 

The airline will collect customer feedback to evaluate interest in the service to determine potential future expansion to other airports. If expanded, United promises it “will integrate the service into its seatback inflight entertainment screens for an even more seamless ordering experience.” 

The announcement comes just days after the airline revealed it would be flying Newark passengers to seven new international cities beginning in March 2027. For five of those destinations, United says it is the only U.S. airline to fly nonstop there, including Marseille, France; Ibiza, Spain; Valencia, Spain; Terceira, Portugal and Ljubljana, Slovenia. 

In March, the company announced a new set of economy seats that can convert into a couch for long-haul international flights. United Relax Row, new dedicated rows of three seats, feature adjustable leg rests that will fold up at a 90-degree angle to create more room to sleep or stretch while laying down.

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The company expects to roll out the feature beginning in 2027 and plans to offer it on more than 200 Boeing 787 and 777 widebody aircraft by 2030. The carrier will offer up to 12 United Relax Row sections on each plane and it will be located in between United Economy and United Premium Plus.

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