United Airlines (Chicago) has issued the following announcement about the on-going improvements to its Newark Liberty International Airport hub:

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.

In September, the two companies announced that 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. Today, specifics of those plans were announced, including design renderings, chefs and restaurant concepts.

The Largest Collection of Chef-Driven Restaurants Anywhere in the Country

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.

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.

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.

State-of-the-Art Designs by Rockwell Group, Creme Designs, David Mexico Design Group, Parts and Labor Design

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.

Art will play another key role in the revitalization of the terminal. Local artists’ works will be on display in the gate areas, as well as the main atrium that welcomes travelers as they come through security.

Leading-edge Electronic Payment Technology: Pay With MileagePlus Award Miles| A New Flyer-Friendly Way to Pay for Airport Purchases

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.

Customers will be able to scan their boarding pass or enter their MileagePlus number on any of the almost 6,000 iPads that will be available throughout the terminal’s restaurants, bars and gate areas when the project is complete. The iPad will display the customer’s up-to-date flight information and offer dining or beverage options in up to 20 different languages. The cost of the items will be displayed in both dollars and miles, and at check out, MileagePlus members will have the option to pay with award miles, offering a seamless experience for the savvy traveler.

With this integration, United and OTG are reimagining the airport experience at Newark Liberty’s Terminal C through elevated dining, design and technology.

“United is committed to providing a flyer-friendly experience for our customers on the ground as well as in the air,” said Kate Gebo, United’s vice president of corporate real estate. “At our Newark hub, we’re creating new dining and retail options to provide an exceptional customer experience that incorporates the amenities and convenience that our customers tell us they want when they travel.”

“The United Experience at Newark Liberty will be a world-class setting that combines beautiful spaces with cutting-edge technology and some of the finest dining options anywhere,” said Rick Blatstein, OTG CEO. “We view travel as a lifestyle, and our mission is to treat the airport itself as a destination, and more than just a place travelers pass through on their way to somewhere else. We are so pleased to work with United and our culinary and design partners to make this vision a reality.”

“World-class amenities help make airports world-class, and OTG Management and United Airlines have produced an array of superb culinary offerings at Newark Liberty International Airport,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “OTG has proven itself with top-notch offerings already at both John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia airports, and we welcome them to Newark Liberty in what will surely make the traveling experience there even better.”

“OTG Management and United Airlines have combined to help usher in a new era of restaurant concepts for Newark Liberty International Airport that almost will make passengers sorry they have to leave the terminal to catch their planes,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Deb Gramiccioni. “This effort dovetails perfectly with the Port Authority’s ongoing efforts to modernize Newark Liberty and its other major airports, so they will truly be world-class gateways to New Jersey, New York City and the nation.”

With the redesign already underway at Terminal C, more than 45 of the new restaurants and retail markets will open over the next seven weeks in a transition program. Offering a taste of what’s to come, menus will highlight the chef-curated dishes and customers will be able to experience the new technology with an initial 1,000 iPads. The full experience is expected to be phased in over the next 18 months, with the first permanent installations debuting in the summer of 2015.

United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

EWR Airport Terminal Map: