Your Next American Airlines Flight Could Be a Bus Ride

Your next flight could be a bus ride.

American Airlines has collaborated with bus company Landline to connect passengers between Philadelphia and two other local airports starting on June 3.

American says the connections, which go to Lehigh Valley Airport (ABE) and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), will be a “time-saver” for its passengers.

“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.

“Customers can start and end their journey at their local airport, relax on a comfortable Landline vehicle, and leave the driving to someone else while they work or start their vacation early. From road to runway, we’re excited to welcome customers on board.”

The partnership allows guests to arrive at Lehigh or Atlantic City, check in with American and clear security, an easier task at smaller, regional airports. Then, just as guests would board their flights, they would board a Landline bus and head to Philadelphia.

The positive for guests is that they will not have to go through security again in Philadelphia; instead, they would head directly to their connecting flight.

The same process would occur on the way—heading home, passengers would board a Landline vehicle in Philadelphia after their flight and head to their local airport.

Aside from the obvious, the bus ride would operate much like another leg of a connecting flight—American will transfer checked bags from the bus to the aircraft and vice versa, AAdvantage members will be able to earn miles and points when traveling on the Landline buses, and WiFi and power will be available in-seat during the bus ride.

Landline markets itself as “the airport of the future” with an aim to make travel “more affordable, efficient, and sustainable by creating a seamless travel system.” The aim is, it says, to “bring the airport to you.”

Aside from the new Philadelphia routes, Landline also operates in Colorado with United Airlines and in Minnesota and Wisconsin with Sun Country Airlines.