Finally, like a flight: American improves Landline bus connections via Philadelphia
American Airlines is eliminating one of the biggest pain points for customers connecting from two of its smaller East Coast destinations.
Passengers making Landline bus connections from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, will no longer need to clear security in Philadelphia. Instead, they can go through security at the start of their journey and stay “airside” through their connection.
Landline, a bus service that sells "connections" on behalf of American from Allentown and Atlantic City, began arriving inside the secure side of Philadelphia International Airport's (PHL) terminal Tuesday.
Previously, Landline passengers from those cities had to go through airport security when connecting to American flights at PHL.
Landline's bus rides are meant to function as though they're connecting flights to PHL, which is a hub for American. All airlines fly a number of short routes from their busiest hubs. However, some especially short routes — like AA's flights between PHL and Allentown and Atlantic City that are each a little over 60 miles — can be a tough sell for customers who can just drive to the airport.
The Landline bus option offers a cheaper option for the airline to fly such routes while offering customers a connecting experience that doesn't involve worrying about on-time or canceled flights.
Gerardo Spero, the Transportation Security Administration's federal security director for Philadelphia International Airport, said the agency implemented security protocols for the buses and airline personnel to allow for seamless connections.
"This program streamlines the passenger experience and enables travelers to seamlessly travel out of a large international airport conveniently by going through our security screening process from a smaller international airport,” Spero said in a statement.
The move is welcome news for Allentown and Atlantic City Landline customers. However, those making Landline connections from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, won't be as lucky. Passengers departing from Lancaster Airport (LNS) via AA's Landline connection will still need to go through security at PHL rather than their local airport.
American isn't alone in looking at the possibility of bus connections for some of its shorter feeder routes.
Landline also runs services to Denver International Airport (DEN) for United Airlines and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) for Sun Country Airlines.
For American, eliminating the need for security screenings at PHL for passengers flying from Allentown and Atlantic City will make the Landline connections more in line with a regular flight connection — likely increasing passengers' willingness to book such an itinerary when connecting through the carrier's PHL hub.
For the airline, that will help increase feed for its connecting flights there. For the smaller airports like Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) and Allentown's Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE), the unconventional link to PHL will likely be a welcome one, as the airports have been caught up in a broader trend that has seen big airlines slash flights in many of their smallest markets.
Aside from American's Landline-operated bus service to PHL, ACY is served by just one carrier: ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. At ABE, American's landline bus service to PHL will complement its existing service to its hub in Charlotte, the carrier's second-busiest. ABE is also served by Allegiant Air, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Since American partnered with Landline in 2021, PHL CEO Atif Saeed said Landline has already transported thousands of passengers to domestic and international flights in Philadelphia.
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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.