Travelers can now order food and retail items at airports using mobile apps that deliver purchases directly to the departure gate. These services are especially useful for people with short layovers who have limited time to shop or eat between flights.
One app, Airport Sherpa, launched last month at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. It lets passengers browse and purchase food and retail offerings from Airmall on their mobile devices, then delivers the order right to the gate. The app provides a delivery time estimate and enforces cutoffs for orders placed too close to scheduled departure times.
Airport Sherpa charges a delivery fee that ranges from $3.99 to $7.99 per order; fees vary based on how far the delivery location is from the vendor.
Another service, At Your Gate, begins operations this month at San Diego International Airport. It charges a flat delivery fee of $6.99 per order and advertises a typical delivery time of about 10 minutes, aiming to get items to travelers quickly and conveniently.
Both apps aim to streamline the pre-flight experience by removing the need to wait in lines or leave the gate area. By enabling gate delivery, they help travelers make the most of limited time at the airport, whether they need a quick meal, a beverage, or essential travel items.
Passengers using these services should be aware of the delivery windows and any cutoff policies so orders arrive before boarding begins. Fees and delivery times can vary by airport and vendor, so checking the app for details at the specific terminal is recommended.