American Airways Clarifies Bus Rides Booked As Flights

[ad_1] by Jeroslyn JoVonn March 30, 2026

American Airways is dealing with backlash over bus rides that passengers say they unknowingly booked as an alternative of flights.

American Airways is responding to backlash from passengers who had been shocked to seek out that the “flight” they booked was really a bus trip.

The airline went viral for all of the unsuitable causes after a TikTok from consumer Kennedy Woodard-Jones detailed her expertise after reserving a $400+ American Airways ticket that turned out to be a bus trip between South Bend, Indiana, and Chicago O’Hare. What was marketed as a “flight” was really floor transportation—a route that usually prices round $30 with bus providers like Greyhound.

@thekennedysimone_ if you purchase a flight from American Airways however they board you on to a bus on the tarmac so that you assume they’re driving you to the airplane however they simply begin driving to the vacation spot 😀🙂😤 #traveltok #americanairlines ♬ unique sound – foreverhumblemarc96

Now, American Airways and Landline Firm—which operates the service’s bus service—have responded, providing extra context and calling it “a very superior product expertise,” whereas additionally acknowledging considerations about transparency.

“For patrons, this service operates similar to a flight would,” American Airways mentioned in an announcement. “Prospects earn their AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Factors on eligible fares, test their baggage and benefit from the journey with complimentary Wi-Fi and energy at each seat.”

“We’re saving them money and time, and we’re giving them a very superior product expertise on the way in which,” Landline Firm CEO David Sunde added.

Nevertheless, Woodard-Jones joins a number of vacationers who say they unknowingly booked a bus trip via American Airways’ Landline service. Launched in 2018, Landline Firm is marketed as a “premium motor coach expertise” and connects passengers between hubs comparable to Philadelphia and Chicago O’Hare, in addition to smaller close by airports. Firm officers insist the service is clearly disclosed at reserving and argue it provides a handy various to driving to the airport and paying for parking.

However Woodard-Jones claims there was no clear indication her journey included a bus, and different clients have echoed comparable considerations.

“How within the F&%Ok is it LEGAL to promote me a FIRST CLASS FLIGHT and put me on a BUS for a THREE-HOUR RIDE for the primary leg?????” one upset X consumer posted. “@AmericanAir, I personal a roofing firm. Can I promote somebody a roof, and as an alternative set up a brand new driveway for them??? What a JOKE.”

A New York lady additionally went viral final 12 months after sharing a TikTok of her sudden bus trip booked via American Airways, which drew greater than 2 million views. Within the video, consumer Alex (@she_is.changing into) confirmed how her boarding go and gate data appeared like a traditional flight—with airplane icons and normal boarding teams—making the expertise particularly complicated. Whereas she mentioned American Airways generally notes the bus connection, she identified that platforms like Google Flights could make it much less apparent, labeling it solely in small textual content.

@she_is.changing into There’s actually a ✈️ on my boarding go 😂 #relatable #traveltiktok #americanairlines #fyp #foryoupage ♬ Humorous Track – Sounds Reel

“I did return via and see if I completely missed one thing, and I didn’t,” Alex defined. “It isn't clear on there in any respect.”

“I additionally simply wanna add to that that when you find yourself a web site known as Google Flights, I believe it’s fairly cheap to count on to be flights,” she added.