NEW RETAIL OFFERINGS AND AMENITIES AT PORT AUTHORITY AIRPORTS SUPPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO IMP
NEW RETAIL OFFERINGS AND AMENITIES AT PORT AUTHORITY AIRPORTS SUPPLEMENT COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
Uber Rider Center, new Starbucks and new bar at LGA's Terminal B, coupled with new food and retail options at Newark Liberty and JFK, add to agency's focus on a better experience and more options for travelers
As part of its ongoing efforts to provide fliers an enhanced travel experience - even as it undertakes an unprecedented $28 billion in major airport redevelopment projects - the Port Authority has announced several new amenities, including an Uber Rider Center at LaGuardia Airport and new shops and dining options at Newark Liberty and John F. Kennedy International airports.
At LaGuardia's Terminal B, the first Uber Rider Center in North American has now opened, along with the C Bar featuring a selection of draft beers and wines, and grab-and-go food. In addition, a third newly added feature is a new Starbucks at Terminal B.
Terminal B is operated by LaGuardia Gateway Partners, one of the Port Authority's two private partners in the massive redevelopment of the airport. LGP is the agency's private partner in rebuilding the western half of the airport, while Delta is the Port Authority's private partner in rebuilding the eastern half.
In addition to new offerings at LGA, Newark Liberty is opening 22 new retail and dining outlets. JFK has opened two new international restaurants, Mi Casa Cantina and Mezze Café. Additional dining options and grab-and-go outlets will be coming to the airport soon.
The Port Authority is in the midst of a customer service transformation that already has brought high-speed WiFi, improved taxi service and real-time security and taxi wait times to the airports, as well as new food-to-gate delivery capabilities and family-friendly products and services, such as 28 modern nursing suites for mothers across the agency's four commercial airports.
"Even as our airports are undergoing massive redevelopment, the Port Authority is committed to making the travel experience better for our current customers," said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O'Toole. "Over the past several months, the agency has introduced a series of important customer service initiatives to help ease the stress of traveling."
"The Port Authority has been actively listening to the needs of our current travelers," said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton. "In addition to technological enhancements, we are delivering new food and dining options and making important improvements to our existing facilities, such as free, fast WiFi, family friendly amenities and services, new and cleaner restrooms, and wayfinding signs."
LGA's Uber Rider Center is located at the Departures level of Terminal B, near American Airlines and is a quick two-minute walk to the for-hire vehicle pick up area in the new Terminal B parking garage. The Uber facility will assist users of the app in finding their ride and provide phone-charging stations while they wait to be picked up.
C Bar, operated by MAR Air Foods, is available to passengers flying from Terminal B's C gates. It is the first bar past security in Terminal B's C concourse. Additionally, C Bar will offer a variety of grab-and-go items, hot breakfast sandwiches, snacks and fresh-brewed Colombian coffee.
A new Starbucks opened at LGA's Terminal B's D gates, which additionally features a large mural by artist Shogo Ota called "Coffee People." The artwork depicts the diversity of people involved in moving coffee from farm to cup, and is representative of the diversity found in the Queens.
At Newark Liberty's Terminal B, the 22 new retail and dining outlets that are opening are a joint effort of the Port Authority and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield. Three of the new vendors - All You Need and InMotion, which offer a range of small food and travel items, and a new Starbucks - are in operation. The remainder of the new lineup will be opening over the next several months.
Authentic Mexican cuisine is coming to JFK's Terminal 4, with the opening of Mi Casa Cantina, while Mezze Café sells pre-made sandwiches, wraps and salads.