Keep an eye out for yellow cabs in New York City with electronic timers on them: it is part of United’s new ad campaign.
United Airlines wants to “dispel the myth” that a ride to JFK is quicker than a ride to Newark (EWR). To demonstrate this, it is using GPS real-time traffic data to “educate” the public about travel times between the two airports.
Here’s how United describes it–
United fitted 125 New York City taxis with GPS software to show a real-time comparison of the travel times between the city and JFK and EWR airports. The digital displays are synced with data from the Curb application and update in real time with every change in a taxi’s position and evolving traffic patterns. Working with Verifone Media and Kinetic, over 45,000 data points were analyzed to optimize the campaign in key areas within NYC. It represents the first time live traffic data has ever been used to dynamically display messaging on top of a taxi.
United has already invested millions of dollars in renovating Newark Airport and its partnership with OTG now provides ample new high-quality dining options in a terminal that used to be almost as bad as third-world Terminal E in Boston Logan (my opinion). While the two United Clubs are often crowded, a new Polaris Lounge is coming which should alleviate some overcrowding.
EWR vs. JFK
As for the Newark vs. JFK debate: I’m agnostic. Naturally, as a loyal United flyer I most often use Newark, but I’ve never found either airport all the difficult to get to/from Manhattan.
Obviously, the timer only boosts United’s case in certain parts of town, but the point is well taken. “New Jersey” is not some far off land: in many cases it is much quicker than going to Kennedy.
Uber, Lyft, and taxis may be viable options, but I agree with Travel Skills that New Jersey Transit is by far the best option to reach EWR from Manhattan. I’ll stick to that.
What do you think of the new United ad campaign?
At 5.30 in the morning from my home in Manhattan; Terminal C at Newark is 22 minutes away, best case. JFK, Terminal 4 is 24 Minutes away. The cab fare is about $10 cheaper to JFK.
Yeah, but it doesn’t change the fact UA stinks.
Everyone who pretends that United stinks compared to American or Delta hasn’t flown United much in the last several years. In Economy, United is not better nor worse…but its Economy Plus is as good as AA’s MCS and Delta Comfort. United has had entirely lie flat long haul premium class seating for most of the past decade, while AA still has angle flat and DL just eliminated angle flat a few yrs ago. United also has the best IFE long haul of any of those, United may have let you down before, but they are much better now…and AA and DL are no better despite the hype.
I’m not claiming that United is better than American or Delta. But your pitiful claim that United stinks is just nonsense and noise.
DL is superior to UA based on personal experience and their on time performance. My comment was cheeky on purpose I’ll admit that, but in my experiences, UA isn’t that great. Add to that the Dr Dao incident, and you can imagine why I’m not clamoring to fly UA.
Goombah-Land, Noo Joizey, is psychologically further away than Mars, WHY even consider going way out to UGH Noo Joizey?
Sorry, I just can’t even consider it.
In the past I would agree that NJ Transit would be preferable. However now with the whole Amtrak/NJT debacle and the track work planned this summer, unexpected 30-60min delays are the norm on NJT. No better than sitting in traffic in the Holand tunnel.
Except much cheaper?
EWR may be better for some areas in Manhattan. However, Brooklyn/Queens/Bronx/Lower Westchester is closer to JFK. I guess UA doesn’t care about that business. I now fly DL to and from NYC. My family will balk if I ask to be picked up from EWR.
I rarely go to New York but the heck is wrong with LGA (aside from no trains)?
UA LGA fares are always half as much as EWR.
Btw Matthew is it possible to get the “notify me of comments” feature on your site?
This is a complete FU to those of us who DON’T live in NYC, but live on Long Island. Leaving JFK means we HAVE to take a 2-3 hour drive to EWR to get a non-stop to even LA/SFO. MUCH of NYC metro lives on LI, and EWR is the furthest away you can get. JFK is in the middle. With how screwed up LGA is now, HPN is almost my best bet. Or another airline.
You are absolutely right!
I don’t really think it’s an FU. I think every airline had to make consolidation decisions. I live 20 minutes from EWR, would love to fly Delta or JetBlue – but the options are terrible, and so I stay with United (and star Alliance for overseas).
I’m surprised how few people in midtown and lower Manhattan realize Newark is generally the fastest to get to.
Closer and cleaper isn’t necessarily better. I am sorry United doesn’t fly to JFK and I hear they regret it, too.