Finding time to grab a meal can be tricky when a connection is tight or boarding is about to begin. United Airlines is testing a way to make that airport scramble a little easier.
At Newark Liberty International Airport, some United passengers can now order food, drinks and travel essentials before reaching their gate, then pick everything up nearby when they arrive.
According to USA TODAY coverage on Sept. 3, United announced the pilot Sept. 2, saying it is available on select flights departing from or connecting through as many as nine gates in Terminal C.
For now, the test covers gates C125 through C138. United says Newark made sense as a starting point because it is a busy connecting hub where travelers may have little time between arriving at the gate and boarding.
Travelers Order Before They Reach the Gate
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NEWS: Food Delivery to the Gate? United Tests New Time-Saving Customer Benefit at Newark Liberty International Airport
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Eligible passengers receive a notification through the United app or by email before departure. From there, they can choose from sandwiches, salads, drinks, children’s meals, snacks, and candy.
The menu also extends beyond food. United’s Sept. 2 announcement lists items including select over-the-counter medications, charging cords and travel pillows.
At Newark, orders are prepared and placed on a designated pickup shelf near the passenger’s gate. Travelers can eat there or bring the items aboard.
United is working with airport hospitality company OTG on this test run, with food coming from participating Terminal C restaurants, including Nonna’s Kitchen and Victory Grill.
Newark Is Only the First Test
United plans to expand the pilot program to its Houston hub later in 2026. The airline says that version of the program will include popular national restaurant brands and additional options for passengers to either pick up orders or have them delivered directly to the gate.
What happens next will depend, in part, on traveler response. United says it will collect feedback during the test runs before deciding whether the service should expand to other airports.
The airline is also considering eventually adding the ordering feature to its seatback entertainment system. This may allow connecting passengers to place an airport food order before their current flight has even landed.