Delta and OTG provide iPads at airports and you can order food to your gate

I’D like a margherita pizza and a red wine ... and I’m sitting at Gate 8. It’s the new airport service that’s changing the way we travel. What do you think?

Too lazy to walk to the bar?

IT WAS the tech experiment that took off. Free iPad access in major international airports that allows you to check your flight’s status, use Facebook, check emails and even order your food to be delivered to you while you wait.

That’s right, you can sit at the departure gates, logon to a complimentary iPad and order your meal to be delivered to you AT THE GATES.

Virtual menus mean your fingers do the walking.

American food and beverage operator OTG paid $50 million to remake the Delta terminals at New York’s LaGuardia and Minneapolis-St. Paul airports. Re-designing the airports with iPads, customers were able to order customised meals prepared fresh and served within 15 minutes or less.

Where have all the people gone? LaGuardia international airport.

So is this the ultimate in laziness or is it enhancing the travel experience?

While it’s good to stretch the legs before a long-haul flight, the system does have its perks. No trawling through depressing food courts, no “get to the gate” anxiety, no missing your flight or your name being called for standby.

Launched in 2012 with 2500 iPads, the number was increased to 7000 at the end of last year following the service’s increasing popularity. CEO of OTG, Rick Blatstein, told the New York Times that he was intrigued by the revenue potential of all that space at the boarding gates, previously filled with people with nothing to do but wait.

Delta and OTG found that the devices allowed them to serve travellers with “gate anxiety” — a preference for waiting by the gate instead of wandering through the terminal and shopping.

With the iPads, travellers can still sit near the gate but order food or products from their seats and have them delivered. “If that’s where they like to be, let’s create an experience there,” said Gail Grimmett, senior vice president for Delta in New York speaking to the New York Times.

The future of travel on show at Minneapolis.

And it is receiving mostly positive reviews on yelp.com

“Interesting and increasing concept at Delta gates where you can sit down order your meal and drinks with an iPad. While you wait for your order you can surf the web with the same iPad. There is a power outlet which includes USB connection for power as well. You prepay your meal and you must leave a tip in advance but this can work both ways.” wrote yelp user Wal. W.

“First, really liked the iPad ordering. Fast, efficient, and no worries about missing the flight while waiting for the cheque.” said Cecll. N

Is this the future of travel? Virtual restaurants, shopping centres, even people? Let’s hope we’re not too lazy to say thank you too.

No more “get to the gate” anxiety.