Branded Bus Rides Billed as Faster, More Convenient 

As part of the continuing fever dream or collaborative delusion we mortals perceive as the post-pandemic economy, astute viewers have noted another less-than-stellar indicator that things... may not be getting better. 

American Airlines has decided to offer a ground alternative to flight for airport pairs close enough for ground transport, using outside bus services as contracted passenger haulers on "flights" that depart in June. The first hub to benefit from this remarkably advanced "Bus as Aircraft" technology will be Philadelphia International Airport. 

Flights that would have bounced over to Allentown, Pennsylvania, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, will now "fly" aboard the illustrious accommodations provided by Landline, a bus company - which in time may require some rebranding to help passengers feel better about paying an  airline for what is effectively a Greyhound trip. Unfortunately, "Airbus" has already been taken, though it would be a fitting name for the vehicle. Customers will go through the security, check bags, and go through the standard airport rigamarole before their ride, and once their bus arrives at their destination they will disembark directly into the terminal to catch their connecting flight. 

The bus service is billed as an easier way to move between Philadelphia and Lehigh International, despite the 73-mile journey. American Airlines isn't the only one to do so, however, with American Eagle, United Airlines, and Sun Country all doing similar for appropriate destination pairs. Landline has been quite happy with the arrangement, seizing the chance to grow its unorthodox network of “Landline Portals” across the country. Their system, outside its use as a replacement for aircraft, allows passengers to use alternative points of origin to check in, pass through security, and obtain their boarding passes, allowing for greater distribution of passenger loads. 

FMI: www.aa.com, www.landline.com