In a major shift in its regional transportation strategy, United Airlines has confirmed it will permanently discontinue its final Landline bus routes—which operate between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Fort Collins–Loveland Regional Airport (FNL), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) in Allentown—by September 1, 2025.
This decision ends United’s multi-year experiment with multimodal air-ground connectivity, a concept aimed at enhancing passenger convenience and reducing environmental impact by substituting short-haul flights with high-quality, TSA-screened coach bus services.
Final Departure Dates Confirmed
- Denver to Fort Collins: Final Landline service to run on July 31, 2025
- Newark to Allentown: Final service concludes on September 1, 2025
Passengers booked beyond these cutoff dates will be eligible for full refunds or can opt to be rebooked on flights to alternative regional airports within a 300-mile radius. For those affected by the Newark–Allentown route closure, United will launch a new flight via Chicago O’Hare (ORD) in August 2025, offering another travel alternative.
While United’s bus services are ending, an independent ground transportation provider will continue offering direct, non-airline-affiliated bus service between Newark and Allentown.
Inside United’s Ground-Air Travel Experience
United’s Landline routes were not your average intercity bus rides. These services replicated many aspects of the flight experience:
- Passengers received assigned seating
- Baggage was checked at departure
- Online check-in was available
- Onboard amenities included leather seating, power outlets, Wi-Fi, and personal device entertainment
Travelers were required to arrive 30 minutes before departure, mirroring airport boarding procedures. However, unlike traditional airline segments, these bus rides were only bookable as part of a connecting flight, maintaining airport-to-airport consistency.
This model was initially praised for offering lower-emission alternatives to short-haul flights and helping airlines optimize regional connectivity without the overhead of smaller aircraft.
American Airlines Expands Its Landline Network in Philadelphia
As United withdraws from the hybrid air-ground model, a competing carrier is doubling down. American Airlines, in partnership with Landline, will launch a new route between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Trenton–Mercer Airport (TTN) on September 22, 2025.
The Trenton service will operate three daily roundtrips, each segment taking just 50 minutes. This addition expands American’s Philadelphia Landline network to five destinations:
| Destination | Airport Code |
|---|---|
| Allentown | ABE |
| Atlantic City | ACY |
| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton | AVP |
| Wilmington, DE | ILG |
| Trenton, NJ (New) | TTN |
Each of these services maintains TSA security screening and integrated check-in, ensuring a streamlined travel experience. This hub-and-spoke hybrid model aims to boost regional access while minimizing environmental impact.
Landline’s Continued Role in North American Travel
Even with United’s exit, Landline continues to play a growing role in the aviation ecosystem:
- In Canada, Landline supports up to 12 daily frequencies from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to regional destinations like Hamilton and Kitchener-Waterloo
- In the U.S., the company maintains partnerships with airlines, supporting regional connectivity since it launched the concept in 2019
Positioning itself as a premium last-mile transport provider, Landline’s offering combines the best of ground travel efficiency with the infrastructure and convenience of commercial aviation. Services include integrated booking platforms, through-checked luggage, and TSA-compliant connections, making it attractive to both airlines and passengers navigating complex regional geographies.
Why United is Stepping Away
United Airlines’ decision appears to be strategically motivated, likely tied to cost-benefit analyses, operational streamlining, and shifting consumer behavior. While the ground-air model reduced carbon emissions and opened access to underserved cities, it may not have scaled as effectively as anticipated.
Still, the concept of connecting regional cities by road instead of air continues to hold potential, especially in densely populated corridors where short-haul flights are neither time-efficient nor eco-friendly.
Conclusion: Ground-Air Travel Isn’t Dead—Just Evolving
United Airlines’ departure from the Landline model represents a strategic shift rather than a verdict on the entire concept. As climate goals, operating costs, and traveler preferences evolve, hybrid transportation models are likely to remain part of the airline industry’s long-term toolkit.
With American Airlines investing further into its Landline program and other carriers exploring similar partnerships in Canada and beyond, it’s clear that integrated multimodal travel is far from over—it’s just changing form.
As for United, all eyes will be on how the airline redefines regional connectivity in the wake of this transition. Whether through new flight routes, emerging tech solutions, or deeper collaborations with transportation providers, the future of seamless travel remains in motion.
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