American Airlines, Air Canada expand flights-on-buses options with Landline

Flights-on-buses company Landline is growing this fall with expanded agreements with both American Airlines and Air Canada.

The Colorado-based company's expansion begins in September with a third route for Air Canada from Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (YGK) in Ontario on Sept. 23. Then, in October, Landline will add two new routes for American, its largest partner, including a new base at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

"Frequency, reliability and, where it's possible, being behind security — the people actually sitting in the seats love our product," David Sunde, the co-founder and CEO of Landline, said in an interview. "It's taken a while to figure out exactly [how] things work but it's working very well now."

By the end of 2025, Sunde estimated that Landline will operate nearly 30 "motorcoaches" — his word for the company's buses — under partnerships with Air Canada, American and Sun Country Airlines, as well as its own independent service in Colorado.

Landline's growth is impressive given the company launched with just one airline partner and a few buses on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic in late 2019. Its pitch was that buses could operate "flights" to small destinations within a hundred or so miles of a hub cheaper and more efficiently than a plane. The concept of flight-to-bus connections was not new but was one most airlines had retired in prior decades in favor of all-plane operations.

But since Landline's first "flight" from Duluth International Airport (DLH) in Minnesota to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on a cold November morning, Sunde said the company's growth — particularly with existing partners — proves the viability of the flight-on-a-bus concept.

Landline's new Chicago base with American

Landline will complement its existing American base at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) with a second one at ORD beginning Oct. 4. That day, the company will launch four daily "flights" from ORD to South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana. Landline will then connect ORD and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) five times daily Oct. 20.

ORD-SBN "flights" are scheduled at two hours and 45 minutes, and ORD-RFD "flights" are scheduled at one hour and 35 minutes, according to American's website.

"This innovative and convenient option for short-haul travel will provide more Midwesterners access to American's robust network from O'Hare," Ben Humphrey, vice president of ORD operations at American, said in a statement. "As we undergo a major expansion at ORD, there is no better time to bolster the region with more connectivity and more choices for local travelers."

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Landline's new American "flights" will all operate inside security — or, as Sunde described it, "tarmac to tarmac" — at the three airports. In other words, the Transportation Security Administration will screen travelers at their point of origin, and they will then transfer between buses and planes at an airside gate at ORD.

"You board the Landline and you're on the internet, you're working, you can use the bathroom all the way to your destination," Sunde said in an interview. "You're not number 57 in line for the far runway at O'Hare."

Travelers will also be able to earn and redeem American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty and status points on the new RFD and SBN services, just like a standard American flight.

Landline's new route with Air Canada

Landline will begin service between YYZ and YGK for Air Canada with two daily round-trips Sept. 23. The "flights" are scheduled at two hours and 50 minutes.

"We are delighted to be reconnecting customers in Kingston and the surrounding region to our global network," Ranbir Singh, director of regional airlines and markets at Air Canada, said in a statement. "This is a premier example of the new opportunities our growing partnership with The Landline Company unlocks."

Air Canada last offered flights between YYZ and YGK in 2020, when it discontinued service due to COVID-19, schedules from aviation analytics firm Cirium show.

The Montreal-based carrier debuted its partnership with Landline in 2024 with service between YYZ and both John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) and Region of Waterloo International Airport (YKF), both in Ontario.

Landline's services for Air Canada operate outside security, or landside, when traveling both to and from YYZ. Sunde said the company is working with the airline and relevant authorities to bring its tarmac-to-tarmac service to Canada.

Travelers can earn Air Canada Aeroplan loyalty points on all Landline-operated buses for Air Canada.

What happened with United Airlines?

For all its growth, Landline is shedding one of its early partners. Bus service with United Airlines at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) will end by Sept. 1.

"We're focused on growth and our independent Colorado business has just exceeded expectations," said Sunde when asked about the end of Landline's relationship with United.

The company previously said that the move allowed it to pursue "other opportunities."

Sunde added that Landline's operations with United were challenged by the fact that travelers arrived at DEN landside, with them then having to clear security at the busy hub. Buses departed from the airport at an airside gate.

"The hybrid airside model is kind of the middle ground you don't want to be in because you spend a lot of time getting onto the tarmac but you don't have it in the direction people really care about," he said.

Landline is expanding its independent bus service between Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) in Fort Collins and DEN to 17 daily round-trips beginning Aug. 1. All buses will arrive and depart DEN landside.