On the same day that Newark Airport’s new Terminal A was named a finalist in a prestigious global architecture and design award for airport facilities, United Airlines soft-opens its newest Premium Club in Terminal C after a year-long overhaul. Did.
On Wednesday, the new club across from Gate C74 will open to all United Airlines premium members. It is the second renovated club to open in United Airlines’ Terminal C hub, and the airline’s third after a new club opened in Terminal A in June.
Laura Edwards, United’s senior manager of clubs and lounges, said demand for clubs was high.
He said it is the most-visited club, but access was hampered by only being accessible by stairs or elevators, but with the installation of two new escalators on Tuesday morning, that is no longer an issue.
“This is the third and final club renovation at this airport,” Edwards said of the reconstruction of the 18,000-square-foot, 400-seat club. “We have a club at (Gate) C 123, so we have an amazing capacity.”
Edwards said they will close in May 2022, with construction starting that summer, and are part of a record five United clubs to open this year: two in Newark, two in Denver, One club at Chicago O’Hare Airport, Edwards said.
“This was the most visited club in the entire network,” she said.
Edwards said the new United Club will be located on a mezzanine level, above the noise of the raucous crowds and announcements in front of the gates, and is designed as a space for travelers to escape.
The only thing it shares with its former club is its location. This top-to-bottom renovation differs from the recent trend of clubs opening elsewhere in the airport paying homage to New Jersey.
Instead, United’s newest club pays homage to nearby Manhattan, and for good reason. The bar offers unobstructed views of the Manhattan skyline. If you want to center around Jersey, you can look out over the airport’s main runway and watch the planes come and go.
The club’s design motifs are inspired by 20th century Art Deco and mid-century design, starting with New York’s Grand Central Terminal and homage to United’s 1930s origins.
It starts with ceiling art in the hallway to the club, reminiscent of the constellation artwork in Grand Central’s waiting room.Created by an artist in Connecticut Ron Northworthythis art is also inspired by the poetry of Newark’s Amiri Baraka.
Inside also includes:
Soaring space: If there’s a way to combat the cramped space of an aircraft, the new United Club does it with high ceilings and plenty of light, especially sunlight from the windows, another nod to the GCT. The interior is bright, but avoids the excessive brightness of fluorescent light, which we dislike.
warm and comfortable furniture. Edwards said there are a variety of seating types to choose from, including a quirky “pouf,” which is a small brown movable ottoman-like seat.
A space that everyone can enjoy: There are long family tables, diner-like booths, countertop seating, and madman clusters like cocktail tables and easy chairs. For business travelers, there is storage space for a single workstation.
carefully selected bars: In addition to the New York views, the selection of local brews, beers, and wines representing the tri-state region is also a highlight. United’s National Sergeant at Law Patrick Jones scoured five states for treats, including Philadelphia’s Blue Coat Gin and Rutgers University football stars. eric legrand bourbonNew York’s Albany Vodka, Cape May IPA, Delaware’s Dogfish Beer, and a new Mainline wine line that pays homage to United Airlines’ Mainline national network.
Scan and move: Edwards said the focus is on serving both types of customers: passengers who need a bite to eat and drinks, and travelers who want to relax and unwind. Passengers can self-scan their boarding passes at the new club gates, reducing queues and waiting times. Flyers on the go can get ready-made sandwiches, cookies, and fruit.
food: After speaking with United Airlines Division Chef Erol Figueroa and sampling his creations at the buffet, we saved the best for last. Why would an airport club dare to serve Chicken His Cacciatore when it’s so close to North Jersey’s great Italian restaurants? This chef’s creation is moist, boneless, delicately seasoned. It’s chicken. Other standouts were the portabella mushroom chili (an interesting and delicious take on a traditional dish) and the warm quinoa grain bowl with chicken and tofu, both of which were well received.
There are also sandwiches, with United making a conscious decision to eschew traditional cold cuts. The rolled chicken salad exceeded my expectations with moist chicken without mayonnaise. Yes, we have Taylor Ham breakfast sandwiches.
Like other premium clubs at the airport, United Airlines’ new Terminal C Club focuses on fresh, locally sourced food, especially fruits and vegetables. Fall brings seasonal fruits such as red and green apples from New York’s Hudson Valley and roasted butternut squash. Figoreola said the emphasis is on choice, especially for vegetarians, with daily soups including vegetarian options and gluten-free options available upon request.
The menu changes depending on the season and customer feedback, and is served as soon as travelers have finished their meal. Cards with survey QR codes are being widely distributed through the new club to collect traveler feedback and guide future services, Edwards said.
The bathroom includes a gender-neutral bathroom, a separate wellness room where mothers can breastfeed, and an infant changing table. A hydration station allows travelers to refill their water bottles, and there’s also a coffee machine offering eight types of coffee and hot water for tea.
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Larry Higgs can be contacted at: lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.
