American adds 2 new routes from Philadelphia — operated by a bus
American Airlines will soon "land" in two Northeast cities, but the new routes won't be operated by a plane.
Instead, the carrier announced on Thursday that it's partnering with ground transportation provider Landline to offer bus connections between its hub at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and both Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey beginning on June 3. The news was first reported by Airline Weekly.
Travelers headed to or from Allentown or Atlantic City will be able to book connecting itineraries through American, which will include a segment operated by a Landline bus.
If you're beginning your journey in either Allentown or Atlantic City, you'll arrive at the airport and check in with American. Your checked bags will be tagged and collected, and you'll clear security there.
But, instead of walking down the jet bridge to board a flight, there'll be a Landline bus, wrapped in American's livery, waiting to whisk you off to Philadelphia.
During the drive, you can enjoy one of the 35 leather seats, complimentary Wi-Fi, streaming entertainment and power at each seat.
Upon arrival in Philadelphia, the bus will pull up airside (past security) and you'll disembark into the terminal. Your checked bags will be automatically transferred to your connecting flight, and you won't need to reclear security.
On the other hand, if your journey ends in either Allentown or Atlantic City, you'll land in Philadelphia, and then follow signs for a dedicated bus gate from which the Landline vehicle will depart. Once again, your checked bags will be automatically transferred.
Tickets for these air-and-bus itineraries will be available for sale beginning on April 11. Landline will operate two daily round trips between Allentown and Philly (blocked at 90 minutes each way), and three daily services between Atlantic City and Philadelphia (blocked at an hour each way).
Itineraries that include bus segments operated by Landline will be eligible for AAdvantage mileage and Loyalty Points accrual.
“Our partnership with Landline is one more way we’re making it easy for customers to connect to American’s premier trans-Atlantic gateway in Philadelphia,” said Brian Znotins, American’s vice president of network planning.
While this partnership is new for American, it's not Landline's first time working with an airline. In fact, the bus company partners with both United and Sun Country.
United offers bus services between its Denver hub and both Fort Collins and Breckenridge in Colorado. Shortly after United launched its tie-up last March, I had the opportunity to try the service myself. It was seamless, and my skis and checked bags arrived in the mountains on time and in perfect condition. The bus driver was also quite friendly, but it likely didn't hurt that I was the only passenger headed to Breckenridge that day.
While I haven't tried Sun Country's Landline partnership, it's seemingly performing well — the carrier recently expanded its ground transportation offerings in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Meanwhile, for American, offering a Landline shuttle to Allentown and Atlantic City likely makes more economic sense than sending a regional jet to either city. (American last operated flights between Philly and Allentown in May 2020, before cutting them entirely due to the pandemic, Cirium schedules show.)
Related: Reviewing United’s bus service between Denver and Breckenridge
For one, you only need one bus driver to operate the ground transportation service, compared to two pilots and at least one flight attendant for a plane. Plus, with an industrywide pilot shortage, carriers have been forced to slash their regional connectivity to prioritize the markets that matter most.
In this case, Landline offers a great, lower-cost alternative to a regional jet.
Plus, the provider has solved one of the biggest hiccups with the end-to-end travel experience with its American partnership. Instead of needing to clear security in Philly, the entire journey will operate airside, pending regulatory approval.
Assuming that Landline gets the necessary permissions it needs, this will be a major win for its offering. When I tested United's bus service, I needed to clear security when I arrived in Denver, even though I "checked in" when I departed Breckenridge. Hopefully, the provider is laying the groundwork to expand the airside transfer option to all of its existing and future routes.
As part of the news, Landline announced that it has closed a $28 million investment, bringing its total funds raised to $38 million to date.
The company promises that it's working to expand. "Future services, with regulatory approval, will connect industrial parks, corporate campuses, cruise ports and other convenient locations," Landline said in its press release.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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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.