Flight delays or layovers can be a pain, but they might not be so bad, as some airports will provide travelers with free access to Apple iPads.
Airport restaurateur OTG wants to enhance traveler's airport experience. The airport food and beverage operator will deploy more than 7,000 new iPads to three major airports over the next 18 months so travelers can enjoy fresh technology along with their fresh food.
The first airports to receive the tablets will be New York's LaGuardia, Minneapolis-St. Paul International and Toronto Pearson International.
The technology will be used as a way to draw in customers to OTG's restaurants and shops and to also make their airport waiting time more enjoyable.
The iPads will be set up as if they're in an Apple store. Each iPad will be locked to a table to prevent theft. Software will also be limited, but it will include the most essential apps for internet browsing, checking Facebook, shopping online and a few other things. The service is free.
In airport restaurant locations, user will be able to read a virtual menu and order their meal through the iPad. The meal is then prepared and brought to the table within 15 minutes or less.
The iPad access will also make flights more convenient. Users will be able to check the status of their flight to see if it's delayed or if the gate has been moved. The app will also tell you how much time you have until boarding. If there's enough time, it will suggest restaurants or locations to hang out it. If your time is limited, it will direct you to a shop to grab something to go.
There is also a pre-installed app that will allow users to purchase something that they need on a flight, but forgot. For instance, a user can purchase a neck pillow and it will be delivered to them at the gate from one of the airport shops.
For those who need to charge their phones or other electronic devices before boarding a flight, the iPad tables will also serve as charging stations to refuel your device batteries.
So far, OTG has deployed 300 iPads to LaGuardia Airport Terminal D, with hundreds more to be installed throughout the terminal during the summer. Although this service will only be offered in three airports to start, there is hopes to expand to others and eventually deploy 25,000 to 100,000 iPads around the country.
This unprecedented platform represents an investment of more than $10 million in technology and infrastructure.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
