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| American Airlines To Offer Bus Service In Place Of Connecting Flights Due To Soaring Gas Prices, Pilot Shortage |
| 2022-04-11 |
| [ZeroHedge] As gas prices continue to rise into the peak driving (and flying season), expect to see more bizarre twists in conventional behavior... like airlines offering bus service in place of connecting flights. Take American Airlines, which according to the Associated Press is "expanding" its network into and out of Philadelphia with a new bus service that will connect the carrier's hub with two other airports in the region. Starting in June, the company will begin offering buses as connecting flights to and from Philadelphia International Airport with both Lehigh Valley International Airport and Atlantic City International Airport. Passengers traveling to or from Philly, Allentown or Atlantic City will be able to book connecting itineraries through American, according to The Points Guy: travelers whose trips begin in Allentown or Atlantic City will check their bags and go through security as if they were taking a normal flight. However, passengers will board a bus rather than a flight to Philly, where they will be dropped off at their terminals without having to go through security again. Bags will be automatically transferred to their connecting flights. Similarly, travelers landing in Philly will head to a dedicated gate from where the bus will pick up. Bags will be automatically transferred to the bus. The buses will consist of 35 leather seats, complimentary Wi-Fi, streaming options and power outlets. American's connecting bus service will operate three round-trips per day between Atlantic City and Philly and two daily runs to and from Allentown. Tickets will go on sale Monday, with trips scheduled to begin June 3. According to Philly Voice, American said that the forthcoming bus service will be an "easier way" for passengers to travel between the airports, which of course is laughable propaganda. In reality, the airline's "expansion" into busing is driven by pilot shortages and higher gas prices, Airline Weekly reported, forcing carriers like American to explore more cost-effective travel options for passengers. Staffing shortages have already forced American to suspend dozens of routes flown by regional affiliates across its network this spring and summer. American's regional affiliate, American Eagle, services flights from Allentown to Chicago and Charlotte. The airline previously operated flights between Philly and Allentown until the route was suspended in May 2020. The two airports are separated by only 73 miles. Atlantic City International Airport is a new addition to American's map. Before merging with American in 2015, U.S. Airways served Atlantic City nonstop from Philly on and off again until 2003. The two airports are separated by only 56 miles. |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #16 @#15 Yeah but he left his drum kit to his son, who ain't bad. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2022-04-11 23:07 |
| #15 #13 - Bonham's dead |
| Posted by: Frank G 2022-04-11 19:56 |
| #14 Back in 2000, with 10 years as a Road Warrior Consultant behind me, I had racked up just over 820,000 Miles total. The miles were spread across Delta, United, AA. Then tickets (with 2 week advance purchase) were about $450 to $750 round trip coach. $1400++ for emergency < 12 hrs arrival. United, the most anal ticket agents. Delta, the most accommodating. AA, the most seat grabbing rides eg... Fuselage and Window pouring water inside during thunderstorm roller coaster ride coming back from BWI to Ft. Bragg. |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2022-04-11 18:58 |
| #13 Bring back the Zeppelins... oh, we are running low on helium? We'll use hydrogen and try not to think of the Hindenburg. |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2022-04-11 17:38 |
| #12 Back 50 years ago I had a week to get from Las Vegas to London. Vegas to New York to London ($2200-2 days). Vegas to Chicago, a KLM to Amsterdam, train to Calais, Ferry to Dover, bus to London ($1350-3 days). Had a great time. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2022-04-11 10:47 |
| #11 Back 10 years ago, I had to connect thru the Philly airport. Under construction and a real cluster f. Arrived to a "remote terminal", they put us on a bus, drove around awhile, and then took us back to the same terminal. Literally looking across the lobby to where we left from. I suspect that (a) the same management minds are still at work, and (b) the bus driver's union in Philly is a b!tch. |
| Posted by: ed in texas 2022-04-11 09:19 |
| #10 Shaping up to be a bad summer to fly. Seems weather leads to more flight cancellations these days. Fuel prices. Staffing shortages. Transportation Secretary MIA / not interested in airplanes unless they are electric. Cost of plane tickets is up 40%+. And so on... |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-11 08:46 |
| #9 ^ sarc |
| Posted by: Vespasian Ebboting9735 2022-04-11 08:46 |
| #8 Those damned unvaxxed!!!!! |
| Posted by: Vespasian Ebboting9735 2022-04-11 08:46 |
| #7 JetBlue will slash number of summer flights by 10% as airline is hit by staff shortages while Alaska Air trims schedule by 2% because of lack of pilots |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2022-04-11 08:41 |
| #6 #4 You caught my drift.... |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2022-04-11 08:02 |
| #5 Back when trans-continental flights are begun, some portion of the trip involved rail or bus. <- Progress |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2022-04-11 07:59 |
| #4 Seems they will also have flown more miles than their MIA to ATL flight would have been. It doesn't add up if it's due to fuel costs. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-11 07:14 |
| #3 Family down in Miami returning from a cruise yesterday found that their flight was "cancel" and all 150+ passengers flying to Atlanta were screwed. They were bused to and put up overnight in a cheap hotel. They have a Flight out this 10am. BUT! They now have to fly to BWI, wait for a connecting flight to Atlanta, wait there to catch another flight to their Ga. Region Airport. Then get their car to drive another 40+ miles home. When it is all said and done, they will have flown more miles, than their 5-day cruise took them. |
| Posted by: NN2N1 2022-04-11 07:00 |
| #2 Do I have to stand and hang on to a strap? |
| Posted by: Thumper Brown5852 2022-04-11 02:54 |
| #1 if I wanted a bus ticket I would buy 1 |
| Posted by: Chris 2022-04-11 00:30 |