United debuts new cargo facility in Newark — here's a behind-the-scenes look
United Airlines' growth strategy for the next decade includes bigger planes on more routes from modernized airports.
To date, the so-called "United Next" plan has already ushered in spiffy new planes with seatback entertainment, revamped lounges, renovated terminals and more.
While the plan brings big upgrades to the passenger experience, it's also designed to propel United's growth over the next decade and beyond. To accomplish that, the Chicago-based carrier has ordered hundreds of new jets, many of which will be stationed at the carrier's strategic New York City-area hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
Newark, unlike the rest of United's hubs, is capacity-restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Since United is limited in how many daily flights it can operate from the airport, the airline's next-best growth opportunity is "upgauging" its fleet operating at Newark to include bigger planes.
That means bringing larger two-cabin regional jets to the airport, as well as introducing more wide-body service from the city.
Twin-aisle jets represent a big opportunity for United. Not only do they have more room for passengers, but they also have bigger bellies for more cargo. Given the airline's plan to increase wide-body service at Newark over the next 10 to 20 years, it's perhaps no surprise that the carrier is investing in an all-new cargo facility at its hub there.
United (and Seagis Property Group, the building's owner) cut the ribbon on a new 165,000-square-foot cargo facility Thursday; it's just a stone's throw away from EWR at 100 Frontage Road. This facility has been in the works for a while, and it represents the latest step in the United Next growth plan.
"Our investment in Newark is very important because it is such a critical hub for us. It is not only one of our most important hubs, but it is also a gateway to the world for United," Mike Hanna, United's senior vice president of airport operations, said at Thursday's unveiling.
Hanna was standing on the stage, flanked on one side by a posse of executives and on the other by a Boeing 747 in United's new livery.
Though it would've made for some major breaking news, United didn't announce that it'll fly the 747 again. Rather, this massive Boeing 747 model was purchased by Choice Aviation Service — the providers who actually run United's cargo facility — as a show of goodwill for their client.
Immediately north of the airport, this new cargo facility will process all types of shipments, including pharmaceuticals, flowers, fish, perishables, apparel, machine parts and much more, according to Rory Lawson, the man in charge of United's cargo operation in Newark.
The carrier already operates a smaller cargo facility attached to the airport. This is where all import freight goes before getting trucked over to this new warehouse that opened on Thursday.
After imports have been processed at the on-airport facility, United and its third-party contractors bring them over to this new space. Whether it's Gucci handbags from Italy or life-saving drugs from India, odds are that they'll pass through 100 Frontage Road on their journey to their final destination.
Once inside, some of the facility's 75 employees will break down this cargo and place it (using a forklift) on one of the shelves marked A through L. United will then notify the shipper that the freight is ready for pickup; at this time, the receiver will drive to the center to pick up the goods.
Some items might take a little longer to process — there's a U.S. Customs and Border Protection outpost here that screens every item that comes through. Others might receive special handling and storage because of how fragile or expensive they are.
Freight with special storage instructions can still be processed through this new facility because it features three shiny new climate-control storage areas. Two are for storage of items between 35 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (about 1.5 to 8 degrees Celsius); one larger storage area measures 4,500 square feet and is for items that must be stored between 59 and 77 degrees (15 to 25 degrees Celsius).
Once the shipment is ready for pickup, a truck will pull up to one of the center's 38 dock doors for easy pickup. Sometimes, you might even find a USPS truck at this facility. That's because United will process U.S. mail here, in addition to traditional cargo.
For exports, this process basically works in reverse. Trucks drop off freight, which United then consolidates into pallets. These pallets get screened by security agents and trucked to the airport for final delivery to the aircraft.
Perhaps it's no surprise, but United expects this facility to be busiest between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. each day. Inbound shipments from Europe and Asia typically land at the start of this window, and the return flights leaving Newark usually depart toward the end of this window.
Each of the facility's 75 employees will work in three-hour shifts, with the center operating around the clock with no days off.
Even though most customers will never see this facility, it's a major boon for United and its Newark operation. It will allow the carrier to expand its cargo presence in the New York City area, which should also help fuel growth to new destinations.
After all, while United may already be the country's largest international airline, its jets aren't just there to take you on your long-awaited vacation. Cargo is an important business to United, and it's getting even bigger with the opening of 100 Frontage Road.
"We are the number one cargo belly carrier in the world," Jan Krems, United's vice president of cargo, said as he held a pair of scissors waiting to cut the ceremonial ribbon, ushering in a new era for the airline's freight business at Newark.
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.