United ends 'flights' on buses, parts ways with Landline
Landline, the flights-on-a-bus operator that contracts with major airlines across North America, is ending its tie up with one of its oldest partners, United Airlines.
Colorado-based Landline will end branded bus service for United Airlines between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) in Fort Collins, Colorado, on July 31. Then, a month later on Sept. 1, it will end service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Nicholas Johnson, vice president and head of revenue at Landline, said in an email that the move allows it to "focus on other opportunities."
Travel perks: 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
A United spokesperson echoed Johnson's language, saying Landline is "pursuing other opportunities." They declined to say whether the airline would replace Landline with another operator but noted that United would add a third daily flight between ABE and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in August.
Landline has announced several service expansions in recent days. Earlier in July, American Airlines unveiled plans to add Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) to its growing network of bus "flights" from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in September. And, following the United announcement, Landline posted on Instagram that it would expand its own independent bus service between the Fort Collins and Denver airports; it'll grow to 17 daily round trips on Aug. 1 — up from around 11 today.
Landline debuted in 2019 with the basic premise that smaller cities within 200 miles of a major hub could be better served by a bus rather than a plane. The much lower operating cost of buses would outweigh any hesitancy by air travelers to book a connection on a bus.
Sun Country Airlines was Landline's first partner, launching service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in November 2019. United was Landline's second partner, with buses debuting between Denver and both Breckenridge and Fort Collins, Colorado, in early 2021.
One challenge that Landline faced with both Sun Country and United was that buses to Denver and Minneapolis arrived at the hubs outside of security, or "landside." And while checked bags were transferred automatically, the need for travelers to clear security at the major airports added a degree of uncertainty to flight connections.
Analysis: Why I'm excited about United and JetBlue's new partnership, and where there's room to grow
"It's the number one most asked question," David Sunde, CEO of Landline, said of offering buses entirely inside security during a 2021 interview.
Landline debuted its first airside-to-airside — or entirely inside security — buses with American in 2023 between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Allentown. In the two years since, the American-Landline partnership has expanded to five destinations, including the recent Trenton announcement.
The end of Landline's tie-up with United leaves the company with three partners: Air Canada, American Airlines and Sun Country. Its buses connect to the airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), PHL and MSP, respectively. Only American's buses operate as airside connections.
Travelers who book Landline buses via partner airlines can earn points and valuable status credits on their "flights."
Related reading:
- 6 things you need to know about United Airlines MileagePlus
- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
- What is United Airlines elite status worth?
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on United Airlines
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees