TRAVELERS could soon board a “flight” without ever leaving the ground, and still have to through airport security.
American Airlines is rolling out a new route next month that will run by bus, not plane.
Passengers will go through TSA security before boarding the bus (stock image)[/caption]
Landline operates bus “flights” connecting regional airports to major hubs[/caption]
The route connects Trenton, New Jersey, to Philadelphia International Airport, and kicks off on September 22, 2025.
Passengers boarding in Trenton will go through TSA screening before departure, allowing them to skip security once they arrive in Philadelphia.
The service is operated by Landline, a bus company that partners with major airlines to offer short-distance “flights” on wheels.
It runs three times a day in each direction between Trenton-Mercer Airport and Philadelphia, according to the airline.
The ride takes just 50 minutes, and bags are transferred automatically for travelers continuing on to other destinations.
Buses will depart Trenton at 6:45 am, 12:00 pm, and 4:30 pm, while return trips from Philly leave at 8:30 am, 2:00 pm, and 6:40 pm.
The buses arrive and depart from the airside terminal at both airports, meaning passengers remain inside secure areas the entire time.
That means travelers can check in at Trenton, clear security, and walk straight to their connecting flight when they reach Philadelphia.
It also allows American Airlines passengers to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on the new bus service.
Landline has similar partnerships with United Airlines, Air Canada, and Sun Country.
The company launched in 2019 to turn short-haul flights into more efficient ground trips.
It now connects multiple regional airports to major hubs without the cost of flying a plane.
Nick Johnson, Landline’s head of revenue, said the company will feed over 1,500 daily seats into American’s Philly hub by this fall.
“This unlocks seamless global connectivity for hundreds of thousands of travelers each year,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
How Landline Works with American Airlines
- Landline operates bus “flights” connecting regional airports to major hubs
- Passengers board and disembark inside secure airport terminals, going through TSA screening before departure
- Checked luggage transfers automatically between bus and connecting flights
- Travelers earn and redeem airline loyalty miles on Landline trips
- Service runs multiple times daily on routes within easy driving distance of hub airports
- American Airlines launched its partnership with Landline in 2022, expanding to five Northeast airports by fall 2025
The new Trenton route expands Landline’s reach in the Northeast to five airports.
It already connects Philadelphia to Atlantic City, Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre Scranton, and Wilmington.
American Airlines added the Trenton route as part of its ongoing partnership with Landline, which began in 2022.
One-way tickets are available now on the American Airlines website, including redemptions starting at 6,000 miles.
While seats can be booked on their own, they are mainly intended for passengers catching longer flights out of Philly.
Landline’s goal is to replace short regional flights with more efficient and less expensive bus links.
The company operates all services under the airline’s name, so customers may not even realize they are taking a bus until check-in.
