American Airlines’ newest flights will never make it off the ground.
The airline has teamed up with Landline to provide shuttle service by bus rather than operate flights between Philadelphia and two nearby regional airports.
The service starts in June from Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown and New Jersey’s Atlantic City International Airport. Both locations are about 60 miles from Philadelphia.
“Customers can start and end their journey at their local airport, relax on a comfortable Landline vehicle, and leave the driving to someone else while they work or start their vacation early,” said Brian Znotins, American’s vice president of network planning. “From road to runway, we’re excited to welcome customers on board.”
How The Service Works
Passengers will arrive at the regional airports, check their luggage at the counter as if they were flying, and go through much-shorter security lines. They will then board the buses for the approximately one-hour trip.
The buses will take them to Philadelphia International Airport, which they can enter post-security to head directly to their connecting flights. Checked luggage will be transferred automatically to their flights.
The buses hold up to 35 passengers and have Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat, allowing travelers to work or use portable devices.
“It really provides a lot of those comforts that make it even easier to transition,” when they get to the airport, Tom Stoudt, executive director of the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority, told LehighValleyLive.com. “It gives people more options.”
Third partnership
American isn’t the first airline to team up with Landline. The bus company has similar deals with United Airlines for flights out of Denver, and Sun Country in seven cities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
“For too long, travelers have been bothered by all of the ancillary parts of flying, including getting to and from the airport, parking, transporting their bags, and navigating security. We’re changing that,” Landline CEO and co-founder David Sunde told Simple Flying.
“Landline is proud to partner with American to make travel even more efficient, affordable, and relaxing. Alongside American, we’re excited to introduce travelers to a whole new level of convenience and comfort.”
The new service will offer two daily trips between Allentown and Philadelphia, and three daily trips between Atlantic City and Philadelphia.
It will also give residents in those regions an opportunity to connect to locations around the world from Philadelphia’s airport. Atlantic City is served only by Spirit Airlines to 10 locations, while Lehigh has a limited number of flights from American, Delta, United, and Allegiant.
