US. OTG Management has released the renderings of a “˜virtual news-stand’ the company plans to introduce as part of a recently announced partnership with Delta Air Lines to modernise its food & beverage programme at Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport (MSP).
The renderings show Cibo Express Gourmet Markets located throughout the terminal where passengers can walk up to what looks like a traditional magazine stand, except it will be filled with Apple iPads.
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A virtual news-stand comes to life in this rendering of the new concept |
From there passengers can flip through the iPads to see what publications, movies and music they like, download the content of their choice, and then rent the device for their trip.
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“The iPad has become part of the team for us“ |
Rick Blatstein CEO OTG Management |
Once passengers reach their final destination, a pre-paid postage box received at time of rental is used to return the iPad.
“As we all know, the newsstand has changed over time, and The OTG Media Bars will give passengers a wealth of options and information, all within reach as they walk to their gate,” said OTG Management CEO Rick Blatstein.
The virtual news-stands, which will complement the traditional news-stand, will have a variety of flexible menu options to accommodate the individual traveller, and a dedicated OTG crewmember to assist in the process.
Travellers who already have an iPad will also be able to use the OTG Media Bars to rapidly download the content of their choice. These virtual news-stands will arrive at MSP in 2012, and OTG has plans to expand the programme to other locations.
“The iPad has become part of the team for us,” said Blatstein. “It streamlines the ordering and delivery process for passengers on the go, and has proven to make the travel experience more enriching.”
The selection of OTG represents a continued partnership between the two companies. Most recently the two collaborated on redefining the hold room experience at Delta’s JFK and LGA terminals in New York, where the gate areas have been redesigned to include restaurants, seating equipped with Apple iPads, and attentive service.
“Our restaurants seamlessly integrate into gate areas through the use of technology and the absence of walls, delivering a welcoming and relaxing experience,” commented Blatstein.
The project, which is being described as the Delta MSP Experience, is part of a US$2 billion investment by Delta to improve the travel experience for its customers.
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The OTG Media Bars will give passengers a wealth of options and information, all within reach as they walk to their gate |
ABOUT OTG MANAGEMENT
OTG Management (www.otgmanagement.com) is an award-winning airport food & beverage operator with more than 135 restaurants and eateries in eight airports, including John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Boston Logan, Tucson, Washington National, Orlando, Chicago O’Hare and Philadelphia. Since its entry into airports in 1996, OTG has been recognised throughout the industry for its customer focus and ground-breaking innovation, growing to become the second-largest privately held airport food operator in the US in just over a decade.
