American Airlines is getting into the bus business

Look at out for American Airways buses on a highway in the vicinity of you — at least for motorists in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Fort Really worth-centered American Airlines has inked a deal with bus company Landline to substitute some short-hop connecting flights to Philadelphia Global Airport from Allentown, Pa., and Atlantic Town, N.J., with bus rides.

Starting up in June, the Landline buses, painted with an American Airways logo, will decide on up passengers at Lehigh Global Airport in Allentown or Atlantic City Global Airport and rumble down the road to Philadelphia, a important hub for American’s worldwide connections.

Passengers will actually park at airports in Allentown or Atlantic Town, look at in, look at baggage and go through security ahead of loading onto just one of the 35-seat buses to acquire them on the around 50-mile excursion to Philadelphia. From the bus, they can go straight into the terminal as if they have been transferring airplanes. Baggage are transferred, also.

“For as well long, tourists have been bothered by all of the ancillary parts of traveling, together with getting to and from the airport, parking, transporting their luggage and navigating stability,” reported a statement from Landline CEO and co-founder David Sunde.

Landline associates with airways these as United and Sunlight State on very similar trips in Colorado and Minnesota.

Placing airline passengers on a bus really solves a tough predicament for American Airlines in regions the place airports are densely grouped. The 50-mile excursion is only far too limited for a industrial flight, even on a smaller sized regional aircraft. At the identical time, shoppers are normally ready to push 60 to 80 minutes to get to an airport with significantly a lot more connections.

American Airlines only flies from Allentown to Charlotte and Chicago, two other major hubs for American. That would make a extended trip to get someplace these types of as Boston or even Pittsburgh and Cleveland. American Airways does not even fly to Atlantic City Intercontinental Airport, which is only served by Spirit Airlines.

American Airways shoppers can earn loyalty miles for the excursion.

On the way house, the buses will choose passengers back to Allentown or Atlantic City, alongside with their baggage.

“Customers can get started and finish their journey at their local airport, unwind on a snug Landline auto and leave the driving to an individual else even though they work or get started their trip early,” mentioned American Airways vice president of community planning Brian Znotins in a statement.