American Airlines is adding another New Jersey airport to its route network, offering “Landline” service by bus to Philadelphia International Airport, while United Airlines is scrapping its two remaining bus routes.

American Airlines’ “Landline” Bus Service Expands

American Airlines is expanding its branded bus connection called Landline as part of its regional network strategy. This surface link aims to connect smaller markets with its Philadelphia hub via comfortable, airline‑style buses.

In partnership with Landline, American already offers routes between Philadelphia (PHL) and:

• Allentown/Bethlehem, PA (ABE)
• Atlantic City, NJ (ACY)
• Wilkes‑Barre/Scranton, PA (AVP)
• Wilmington Airport (ILG)

Starting on September 22, 2025, American Airlines will expand its Landline service to Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) and PHL with three round-trip bus routes.

The service is integrated fully into American’s reservation system and PNR, with baggage checked through to final destinations. However, if traveling by bus to connect to an American Airlines flight, you clear security at the smaller airport and do not have to re-clear upon arrival in Philadelphia.

• Airline-style booking – Landline shows up in the PNR like any other flight segment and count toward elite status
• Baggage handling – Bags are checked at origin and transferred through American’s system
• Security clearance – Passengers can clear security at their local airport, board the Landline bus, and will be dropped off post-security at PHL

Atif Saeed, CEO of Philadelphia’s Department of Aviation, said:

“Since its introduction in June 2022, American Airlines’ Landline service has made it easier for thousands of travelers in the Greater Philadelphia region to fly across the country and around the world from the convenience of PHL. The Landline expansion to Trenton will give thousands more access to 130 destinations worldwide.”

The new journey comes as SEPTA, the local rail transit authority that already connects the two airports, faces service cuts and a budget crisis.

United Airlines Cuts Landline Service

Meanwhile, United Airlines is scrapping its two remaining bus routes:

• Denver to Fort Collins (DEN-FNL) landline service will be withdrawn effective July 31, 2025
• Newark to Allentown (EWR-ABE) will be withdrawn effective September 1, 2025

Customers booked on these routes will be re-accommodated via the hub or another airport within 300 miles and offered a partial refund, or, in the case of Allentown, offered an alternative connection in Chicago O’Hare.

An internal memo provides no reason for the route cuts.

CONCLUSION

Bus routes may not be ideal, but they link smaller airports near hubs that once enjoyed more air service. The retirement of smaller aircraft and the pandemic accelerated the cancellation of many feeder routes, and using a bus has been seen as a more economically viable and environmentally friendly way to continue to offer service.

While American Airlines is expanding this kind of service, United Airlines is ending it.