USA. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has expanded its mobile food ordering service to 15 restaurants through the OrderSEA platform, following a soft launch earlier this Summer.
The online service – which includes gate delivery – is powered by Servy’s Grab Airport Marketplace, the ecommerce platform that connects customers to airport restaurants and retailers.
Travellers place orders at OrderSEA.org or via the FlySEA app. They pay securely using their smartphones, and choose pick-up after the TSA security checkpoints or delivery to their gates.
The gate deliveries are completed by staff from OrderSEA service partner AtYourGate, who are accompanied by a rolling droid know as ‘gita’ which carries the orders, further boosting contactless food capabilities.
Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho said: “Technology can make your airport experience more flexible and less stressful. OrderSEA means travellers can skip standing in a crowded line, the least fun and most stressful part of any trip.”
The restaurants at the airport so far signed up to OrderSEA include Trail Head BBQ & Bar, Rel’Lish Burger Lounge, McDonald’s, Capitol Hill Food Hall and Pei Wei. More will be added to the system in the coming months, the airport company said.
Since the soft launch of the service, over 1,200 orders have been placed, including over 500 for gate delivery.
Recently-opened Tundra Taqueria, operated by Concessions International close to the airport’s N Gates, has just joined OrderSEA. The company’s Director of Operations Evan Ault said: “Concessions International works with Grab on electronic ordering solutions here at SEA as well as many other markets across the country.
“This service allows us to reach many guests that may not be inclined to, or have the time for, a full ‘in-restaurant’ dining experience while travelling. The OrderSEA programme makes to-go ordering, payments and even gate delivery a breeze for our guests.”
He added: “It also integrates with our point of sale systems in most locations to make transactions and payments seamless at our end.”
Servy Chief Experience Officer Jeff Livney said: “We are excited to partner with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to enable more people to benefit from our contactless order and pay technology with the launch of OrderSEA.
“Through our Grab Airport Marketplace platform, OrderSEA offers a safe and convenient touch-free alternative to traditional payment options enabling travellers and airport staff to easily place meal orders from digital devices for pick-up, with the option of having their choices delivered to them in the airport.”
He added: “Together, in collaboration with our delivery partner AtYourGate, we are so pleased to be providing passengers in the Pacific Northwest a modern service that will enhance their overall experience during their journey.”
