AA PHL-ABE/ACY (and others) bus services
#31
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,725
#33
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, AA ExecPlat, Amtrak Select Exec, former WN apologist
Posts: 1,417
There's literally a septa train that runs directly from 30th street station to the airport. What would be the advantage of a bus?
#34
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,403
TPG says the bus to PHL will be sterile and arrive airside:
This is very interesting and different from the UA ABE-EWR bus, which arrives landside. Is there any precedent for a passenger transport vehicle on public roads (not within an airport fence) being considered sterile by TSA?
Presumably there will have to be a protocol to not disembark airside if there has been any irregularity during the drive in which any bus door (including emergency exit) has opened. Perhaps physical tamper-evident seals will be placed on all bus doors and windows after boarding and then inspected before letting anyone/anything off airside at the destination.
This is very interesting and different from the UA ABE-EWR bus, which arrives landside. Is there any precedent for a passenger transport vehicle on public roads (not within an airport fence) being considered sterile by TSA?
Presumably there will have to be a protocol to not disembark airside if there has been any irregularity during the drive in which any bus door (including emergency exit) has opened. Perhaps physical tamper-evident seals will be placed on all bus doors and windows after boarding and then inspected before letting anyone/anything off airside at the destination.
Although, the CR900 ABE-CLT is a nice ride!
#35
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 366
#36
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Dallas
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 582
They should brand it the Careliner like the old HP service from PHX-Scottsdale/Mesa lol
Also, various sources are reporting this will be secure - the passengers will arrive airside at PHL.
https://airlineweekly.com/2022/04/am...andline-buses/
Also, various sources are reporting this will be secure - the passengers will arrive airside at PHL.
https://airlineweekly.com/2022/04/am...andline-buses/
#37
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 366
That routing is, unfortunately, a limitation of the century+ old Pennsylvania Railroad. We'll never see a maglev from center city PHL directly down to AC via the 42 freeway and AC Expressway.
In fact, Amtrak used to run that route many years ago. Not profitable even for a quasi government operated entity. You don't see NJTransit rail servicing any other PA stations either. This was the result of some kind of deal made when Amtrak dropped the route years back.
I'll say it again - most people flying AA on this kind of route with a PHL - ACY bus connection will not have AC as their destination. They will be AC area customers who originated their trip there and opt to do this if they can't get/pay for a ride to PHL or want to park their car. Given that AA hasn't served AC (ever?), this may be a brief experiment.
In fact, Amtrak used to run that route many years ago. Not profitable even for a quasi government operated entity. You don't see NJTransit rail servicing any other PA stations either. This was the result of some kind of deal made when Amtrak dropped the route years back.
I'll say it again - most people flying AA on this kind of route with a PHL - ACY bus connection will not have AC as their destination. They will be AC area customers who originated their trip there and opt to do this if they can't get/pay for a ride to PHL or want to park their car. Given that AA hasn't served AC (ever?), this may be a brief experiment.
Anyways, I'll be interested to see how AA prices the tickets to ACY via PHL bus.
Many times, AA offers fares to ABE less than PHL. I've seen RDU-CLT-ABE as an example, less expensive than any RDU-PHL nonstop or connect via CLT as it appears to have a premium that PHL is a hub. But that might be the case on random one-ways here and there but just something that I noticed.
if AA prices a premium to use the PHL-ACY bus then it will be unpopular.
On how parking affects, it is scarcer at PHL as the economy parking lot at PHL will not re-open:
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ph...-20211104.html
I think the typical rate at an offsite parking is in between $20-25/day, at least from checking a few ones, The Parking Spot and Wally Parking.
BWI still has low parking costs, $12 a day in a garage, but it's a bit too far for most, but still has a lot of nonstops and flights.
#38
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
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#39
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
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Looks like Randy Petersen is an investor - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update...80336429301760)
#40
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,123
That'd be a narrow market but maybe.
Anyways, I'll be interested to see how AA prices the tickets to ACY via PHL bus.
Many times, AA offers fares to ABE less than PHL. I've seen RDU-CLT-ABE as an example, less expensive than any RDU-PHL nonstop or connect via CLT as it appears to have a premium that PHL is a hub. But that might be the case on random one-ways here and there but just something that I noticed.
if AA prices a premium to use the PHL-ACY bus then it will be unpopular.
On how parking affects, it is scarcer at PHL as the economy parking lot at PHL will not re-open:
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ph...-20211104.html
I think the typical rate at an offsite parking is in between $20-25/day, at least from checking a few ones, The Parking Spot and Wally Parking.
BWI still has low parking costs, $12 a day in a garage, but it's a bit too far for most, but still has a lot of nonstops and flights.
Anyways, I'll be interested to see how AA prices the tickets to ACY via PHL bus.
Many times, AA offers fares to ABE less than PHL. I've seen RDU-CLT-ABE as an example, less expensive than any RDU-PHL nonstop or connect via CLT as it appears to have a premium that PHL is a hub. But that might be the case on random one-ways here and there but just something that I noticed.
if AA prices a premium to use the PHL-ACY bus then it will be unpopular.
On how parking affects, it is scarcer at PHL as the economy parking lot at PHL will not re-open:
https://www.inquirer.com/business/ph...-20211104.html
I think the typical rate at an offsite parking is in between $20-25/day, at least from checking a few ones, The Parking Spot and Wally Parking.
BWI still has low parking costs, $12 a day in a garage, but it's a bit too far for most, but still has a lot of nonstops and flights.
#41
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, WOH Globalist
Posts: 1,160
I'm surprised AA (or DL) hasn't tried a sterile bus from LGA-JFK. How much easier would it be to book domestic-international connections if you could check your bags all the way through and remain airside the whole time? Would need to build in a hefty MCT to account for Queens traffic of course.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: (PHL) Cape May, NJ
Programs: MVP Gold 75K, Board Room, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 2,439
June 3 .. and you are supposed to be able to book them today (April 11). However, I only see them in the AA schedule -- they aren't ticketable as of 11am EDT.
In terms of who will use this service? No idea. We are based in Cape May NJ (just south of ACY) and it is a much easier airport to get to. Going to and from PHL, which is an hour and a half drive (assuming there isn't shore traffic), is quite an adventure i'd love to avoid. Bus service that arrives air side is probably the second best thing to having AA officially here in ACY. I'm hoping that this also shows up on other Oneworld airline schedules, but i won't hold by breath.
In terms of who will use this service? No idea. We are based in Cape May NJ (just south of ACY) and it is a much easier airport to get to. Going to and from PHL, which is an hour and a half drive (assuming there isn't shore traffic), is quite an adventure i'd love to avoid. Bus service that arrives air side is probably the second best thing to having AA officially here in ACY. I'm hoping that this also shows up on other Oneworld airline schedules, but i won't hold by breath.
#45
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,353
AA launches bus service to PHL
Don't laugh, it may actually make economic sense:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/trave...-philadelphia/
Here are the first and second paragraphs from this article:
American Airlines is launching a partnership to provide travelers with connections between airports … by bus.
Beginning June 3, transportation company Landline will connect Philadelphia International Airport, one of American’s hubs, to Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). Tickets for those trips with Landline service will be available starting today. . . .
https://www.washingtonpost.com/trave...-philadelphia/
Here are the first and second paragraphs from this article:
American Airlines is launching a partnership to provide travelers with connections between airports … by bus.
Beginning June 3, transportation company Landline will connect Philadelphia International Airport, one of American’s hubs, to Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) and Atlantic City International Airport (ACY). Tickets for those trips with Landline service will be available starting today. . . .