American Airlines, like other carriers, is facing a severe shortage of pilots, so they’re apparently turning their gaze from the blue sky to the open road.
The carrier has teamed up with the transportation company Landline and begun painting a fleet of buses like its airplanes, in a new program that bus would-be fliers to their destinations in lieu of a connecting flight.
Starting June 3, American will connect customers in Allentown/Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City,
New Jersey to the carrier’s Philadelphia airport hub in Landline’s “state-of-the-art vehicles.”
The customers would travel to their local airport, go through security and check bags as usual, but instead of being seated on a flight, they’ll board a bus.
“Upon arrival at the airport [in Philly], “they’ll deboard…enter the terminal and proceed directly to their connecting flight,” the airline explained in their announcement. “When they’re ready to return home, they’ll board a Landline vehicle in PHL and arrive at their local airport.”
The carrier insists, “American will seamlessly transfer customers’ checked bags between Landline’s vehicles and American’s flight network.”
And if you’re not yet convinced to trade the speed of an airplane for chugging along in a bus, Landline CEO and co-founder David Sunde explains, “For too long, travelers have been bothered by all of the ancillary parts of flying, including getting to and from the airport, parking, transporting their bags, and navigating security. We’re changing that.”
Brian Znotins, American’s vice president of network planning, offers, “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.”