American Airlines adds 2 new Landline bus routes at its Philadelphia hub
American Airlines is adding two more destinations through its partnership with mobility provider Landline at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), including its first “flights” to Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Delaware.
Landline, which operates “flights” via a bus, will connect American’s hub at PHL to Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport (AVP) in Pennsylvania on Aug. 6 and ILG on Oct. 7, the company said Friday. Landline will offer four daily round trips to AVP and six daily round trips to ILG.
“We are pleased to expand our innovative partnership with Landline,” Joe Sottile, director of short-haul network planning at American, said in a statement. “This new service will provide local residents access to American’s global network, including convenient one-stop service to more than 100 destinations around the world via our Philadelphia hub.”
Finally, like a flight: American improves Landline bus connections via Philadelphia
And yes, the new Landline services will depart AVP and ILG inside security (or “airside”) and arrive at PHL at a gate on Concourse F. Travelers can then connect to other flights without needing to re-clear security at the hub.
With the two new routes, Landline will serve four airports for American from PHL: Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) in New Jersey; Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) near Allentown, Pennsylvania; AVP; and ILG. Service to Lancaster Airport (LNS) in Pennsylvania ends June 5.
The expansion comes at a time of significant change for the regional airline industry. Pilot costs rose dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, and the number of 50-seat regional jets that serve small cities like Wilkes-Barre and Scranton continues to shrink in favor of larger models. The result is fewer commercial flights will be available between hubs and many smaller cities across the U.S., including Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, and Allentown.
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American flew between Philadelphia and both Allentown, and Wilkes-Barre and Scranton with 50-seat regional jets through 2020, according to Cirium Diio schedules. Both routes were suspended early in the pandemic.
Landline’s sell to airlines is that they can provide a level of service comparable to what “customers would expect from the first-class cabin of a regional jet” frequently and at a dramatically lower cost. The company’s buses are outfitted with just 35 seats in a two-by-one layout with power outlets at every seat and free Wi-Fi.
“The market opportunity here is a set of cities that are too close to your hub to fly to cost-effectively but, more importantly, are full of people driving themselves to the airport,” Landline CEO and co-founder David Sunde said on the Time on Wing Podcast in April. The company pitches its product as ideal for markets up to 200 miles from a hub.
AVP is 125 miles from PHL while ILG is about 27 miles away from the American hub, according to Google Maps. American's scheduled “flights” to the former will take roughly 2 hours and 20 minutes, and the ones to the latter will take about 50 minutes.
Connect by … bus?!?: Report from Sun Country’s first Landline bus connection
Air Canada, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines also have partnerships with Landline. The company operates “flights” to small cities from five hubs across the U.S. and Canada for its four partners.
In addition to departing and arriving inside security and offering various onboard comforts, travelers on American’s Landline buses can also check bags at their departure airport through to their destination like they would on any other American itinerary. They can also earn and redeem American Airlines AAdvantage Loyalty Points on Landline.
“Being able to start your trip from [the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton area] and connect through Philadelphia alleviates some of the stress when starting your travel from a larger airport,” said Carl Beardsley Jr., executive director of AVP.
Related reading:
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- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
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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.