I Took Every American Airlines Flight That’s Actually a BUS
video description
Date: 2025-06-18
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
lilhasselhoffer
Let's pour one out for some fun in Philly.
Speaking of flights that are busses, my favorite Philly story was with Frontier. Thursday at 8pm was supposed to be the flight. Boarded 30 minutes late, sat on tarmack for an hour, plane came back and unloaded everybody, waited an hour, plane loaded again, and at about 11: 30 they deplaned us and said the flight was cancelled. To get back to North Carolina would require I fly out Saturday morning, go to Orlando, then Saturday night they'd have me home. Yes, two days later. No. Got off of there, took the train to the railroad station, got on a bus, and rode it to DC, where another bus drove from DC all the way to Atlanta. The alternative was paying for another airline and having a $300 ticket become nearly $2000. that Frontier basically told me was my problem.
Was supposed to be in North Carolina by 3: 00 in the afternoon Friday (1: 30am-3: 00pm on a bus, and at 7: 30 when we finally hit the stop (4 hours broken down at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, for which the bus company gave us a $5 food voucher only good after our ride on another trip) I still had to get to the airport to get my car, and to this day Frontier is never going to see another penny from me. because if AA sucks when they push your flight, Frontier is a black hole of feckless crappiness that made that bus breaking down look fantastic by comparison.
-Also, they have a flight from PHL to MDW. That's Harrisburg. An airport less than a three hour drive away. I drove it every week because the extra $200 for a direct flight was something my company didn't want to pay, so a ticket to Philly and drive was my way into Pennsylvania.
reply
Let's pour one out for some fun in Philly.
Speaking of flights that are busses, my favorite Philly story was with Frontier. Thursday at 8pm was supposed to be the flight. Boarded 30 minutes late, sat on tarmack for an hour, plane came back and unloaded everybody, waited an hour, plane loaded again, and at about 11: 30 they deplaned us and said the flight was cancelled. To get back to North Carolina would require I fly out Saturday morning, go to Orlando, then Saturday night they'd have me home. Yes, two days later. No. Got off of there, took the train to the railroad station, got on a bus, and rode it to DC, where another bus drove from DC all the way to Atlanta. The alternative was paying for another airline and having a $300 ticket become nearly $2000. that Frontier basically told me was my problem.
Was supposed to be in North Carolina by 3: 00 in the afternoon Friday (1: 30am-3: 00pm on a bus, and at 7: 30 when we finally hit the stop (4 hours broken down at a gas station in the middle of nowhere, for which the bus company gave us a $5 food voucher only good after our ride on another trip) I still had to get to the airport to get my car, and to this day Frontier is never going to see another penny from me. because if AA sucks when they push your flight, Frontier is a black hole of feckless crappiness that made that bus breaking down look fantastic by comparison.
-Also, they have a flight from PHL to MDW. That's Harrisburg. An airport less than a three hour drive away. I drove it every week because the extra $200 for a direct flight was something my company didn't want to pay, so a ticket to Philly and drive was my way into Pennsylvania.
reply
nrs135
I didn't realize you could book a single bus into Wilmington since they advertise it as pass through security at ILG and fly out of PHL I guess they couldn't be bothered to bring in an agent just for you Taking the bus from ILG instead of driving/ride share might be a tossup when you compare the cost of the connector to parking, or the adventures of PHL economy parking at 4am. I think it's more of a marketing gimmick, but tolls and getting a ride share from Allentown or Atlantic City isn't $400 expensive, but enough to make the connector look good. I'm looking forward to something like Los Angeles to Sacramento so there is more flexibility in schedules and layovers.
reply
I didn't realize you could book a single bus into Wilmington since they advertise it as pass through security at ILG and fly out of PHL I guess they couldn't be bothered to bring in an agent just for you Taking the bus from ILG instead of driving/ride share might be a tossup when you compare the cost of the connector to parking, or the adventures of PHL economy parking at 4am. I think it's more of a marketing gimmick, but tolls and getting a ride share from Allentown or Atlantic City isn't $400 expensive, but enough to make the connector look good. I'm looking forward to something like Los Angeles to Sacramento so there is more flexibility in schedules and layovers.
reply
blakesteen7564
The Wilmington to Philly route is actually very convenient for those living farther south on the peninsula. It allows us to drive or get a ride to a smaller, calmer airport and then get bussed into the chaos that can be Philly, without having to worry about overfilled parking lots or traffic.
Going farther south, the next option is a regional jet flying out of Salisbury, MD (SBY, which can take you into larger international hubs like Philadelphia.
The last flight I took was out of Wilmington via bus to Philly and was 100% more enjoyable then taking a shuttle service or driving.
reply
The Wilmington to Philly route is actually very convenient for those living farther south on the peninsula. It allows us to drive or get a ride to a smaller, calmer airport and then get bussed into the chaos that can be Philly, without having to worry about overfilled parking lots or traffic.
Going farther south, the next option is a regional jet flying out of Salisbury, MD (SBY, which can take you into larger international hubs like Philadelphia.
The last flight I took was out of Wilmington via bus to Philly and was 100% more enjoyable then taking a shuttle service or driving.
reply
NADIFPUTRA_787_9
I could imagine if ANA & JAL operating like this in Tokyo. Passengers arriving from Narita can be directly transfered to Haneda with this complimentary bus shuttle that connecting between these 2 airports. Just clear the CIQ at Narita, rechecked the baggage for the next domestic flight and cleared the security check at Narita then board the airline shuttle bus to Haneda, upon arriving in Haneda they can be directly board to their next domestic flight.
So people doesn't have to be hazzled for rush their domestic flight.
reply
I could imagine if ANA & JAL operating like this in Tokyo. Passengers arriving from Narita can be directly transfered to Haneda with this complimentary bus shuttle that connecting between these 2 airports. Just clear the CIQ at Narita, rechecked the baggage for the next domestic flight and cleared the security check at Narita then board the airline shuttle bus to Haneda, upon arriving in Haneda they can be directly board to their next domestic flight.
So people doesn't have to be hazzled for rush their domestic flight.
reply
nickakers7985
If I’m being charitable to the woman who complained about paying $700 to ride a bus, I imagine that she was coming from somewhere else and connecting through Philadelphia. I don’t think she just needed to go from Philly to Wilmington, DE. My best guess would be that she came from another city in the northeast or mid Atlantic region, which would still be pricey, given that the flight would be regional, justifying her shock/frustration that a portion of that flight is on a bus.
reply
If I’m being charitable to the woman who complained about paying $700 to ride a bus, I imagine that she was coming from somewhere else and connecting through Philadelphia. I don’t think she just needed to go from Philly to Wilmington, DE. My best guess would be that she came from another city in the northeast or mid Atlantic region, which would still be pricey, given that the flight would be regional, justifying her shock/frustration that a portion of that flight is on a bus.
reply
Jourei_
just. how.
Hoowwwww
I would understand sorry we don't have ANY planes so we booked a couple busses, hope you don't mind but Noel obviously knew it's gonna be a bus trip.
No-one would be insane enough to get a bus certified to go in and out from an airport, I can't imagine this to be free for the flight company either, as opposed to the peanuts a bus stop at the airport would be.
Someone please convince me this isn't some exceptionally elaborate skit by. airlines
reply
just. how.
Hoowwwww
I would understand sorry we don't have ANY planes so we booked a couple busses, hope you don't mind but Noel obviously knew it's gonna be a bus trip.
No-one would be insane enough to get a bus certified to go in and out from an airport, I can't imagine this to be free for the flight company either, as opposed to the peanuts a bus stop at the airport would be.
Someone please convince me this isn't some exceptionally elaborate skit by. airlines
reply
atoz09093
Some Amtrak routes use buses for the lower-volume routes. The Coast Starlight does let you go San Francisco to Los Angeles on a train, but the quickest route goes through the Central Valley, which is a train to Bakersfield and then an Amtrak bus from there. The Capitol Corridor runs from the Bay Area to Auburn, but only one train per day goes all the way to Auburn. Most of the trains turn around in Sacramento and passengers take a bus the rest of the way.
reply
Some Amtrak routes use buses for the lower-volume routes. The Coast Starlight does let you go San Francisco to Los Angeles on a train, but the quickest route goes through the Central Valley, which is a train to Bakersfield and then an Amtrak bus from there. The Capitol Corridor runs from the Bay Area to Auburn, but only one train per day goes all the way to Auburn. Most of the trains turn around in Sacramento and passengers take a bus the rest of the way.
reply
kobkob33393
The operating costs of a bus (driver, gas, cleaning, tolls, etc) must be substantially lower than a regional jet, yet AA charges you out the wazoo if you book the bus without a connection to a flight at PHL. For the ILM (Wilmington, DE) to PHL route, it would be much easier to use SEPTA. Heck, AA should partner with SEPTA out of PHL like UA does (did) with NJT at EWR. Air-to-rail packages are common in Europe, US airlines should do the same.
reply
The operating costs of a bus (driver, gas, cleaning, tolls, etc) must be substantially lower than a regional jet, yet AA charges you out the wazoo if you book the bus without a connection to a flight at PHL. For the ILM (Wilmington, DE) to PHL route, it would be much easier to use SEPTA. Heck, AA should partner with SEPTA out of PHL like UA does (did) with NJT at EWR. Air-to-rail packages are common in Europe, US airlines should do the same.
reply
benberry-zr8bh
First gate agent wouldn’t even make eye contact, steps out the door he’s like the conquering hero for the ground crew. What this man puts himself through for content. You could watch non stop Dan complain about the size of his business class vegan soy appetizer, the lack of an amenity kit and the unscented hot towel, or this guy torture himself for 16 hours with a smile on his face.
reply
First gate agent wouldn’t even make eye contact, steps out the door he’s like the conquering hero for the ground crew. What this man puts himself through for content. You could watch non stop Dan complain about the size of his business class vegan soy appetizer, the lack of an amenity kit and the unscented hot towel, or this guy torture himself for 16 hours with a smile on his face.
reply
susans. 1085
Kind of disingenuous to imply these are just expensive bus routes. Meant to be add ons to a flight from a larger airport. Generally they cost nothing as an add on to the main flight. For example, a flight from Philly to Orlando costs the same as the Fly/bus version from Atlantic City to Philly to Orlando. Allows you to do TSA in AC and not have to drive and pay to park in larger airport.
reply
Kind of disingenuous to imply these are just expensive bus routes. Meant to be add ons to a flight from a larger airport. Generally they cost nothing as an add on to the main flight. For example, a flight from Philly to Orlando costs the same as the Fly/bus version from Atlantic City to Philly to Orlando. Allows you to do TSA in AC and not have to drive and pay to park in larger airport.
reply
edwardkitrick5120
Unless the roads in and around Philly have improved drastically in the past few years, you probably need a full body massage after all that road time in one day. Cheers for the fascinating peek into a quirky bit of travel logistics. Not sure torturing yourself on all of the routes added much more than just doing one or two, but I admire your commitment to the craft
reply
Unless the roads in and around Philly have improved drastically in the past few years, you probably need a full body massage after all that road time in one day. Cheers for the fascinating peek into a quirky bit of travel logistics. Not sure torturing yourself on all of the routes added much more than just doing one or two, but I admire your commitment to the craft
reply
EdwardConnors
really fantastic video! i'm platpro this year and hope to never ride a bus flt! jk 1. surprised they don't drop off out front for spokes (could run into trouble) 2. also surprised to learn there are dedicated gates at phl - i guess that makes sense but in theory use any gate right EDIT just got to that part of the video where he discusses OALs.
reply
really fantastic video! i'm platpro this year and hope to never ride a bus flt! jk 1. surprised they don't drop off out front for spokes (could run into trouble) 2. also surprised to learn there are dedicated gates at phl - i guess that makes sense but in theory use any gate right EDIT just got to that part of the video where he discusses OALs.
reply
firewalker1372
Man, I don’t think i could spend all that time on a bus. Especially the one that will take you from the east coast to the west coast and vise versa. It’s one way to see all the sites and country side. Plus playing between 450-500 bucks for a bus ride is sofaking ridiculous, dang near highway robbery. That one lady saying she paid 700.
reply
Man, I don’t think i could spend all that time on a bus. Especially the one that will take you from the east coast to the west coast and vise versa. It’s one way to see all the sites and country side. Plus playing between 450-500 bucks for a bus ride is sofaking ridiculous, dang near highway robbery. That one lady saying she paid 700.
reply
rich00cap
Why would anyone go to the bother of the two commutes to and from the departing and arriving airports when you could just jump on a regular intercity bus There's a regular Flixbus service from Allentown to Philadelphia for example that goes city centre to city centre. Utterly pointess.
reply
Why would anyone go to the bother of the two commutes to and from the departing and arriving airports when you could just jump on a regular intercity bus There's a regular Flixbus service from Allentown to Philadelphia for example that goes city centre to city centre. Utterly pointess.
reply
JeffBrown518
That lady said Greyhound but it's obvious she's never actually ridden a Greyhound because the quality of service and buses through this airline are 1000x better than Greyhound, which is just one step up from running after a train and riding the rails in a dirty boxcar.
reply
That lady said Greyhound but it's obvious she's never actually ridden a Greyhound because the quality of service and buses through this airline are 1000x better than Greyhound, which is just one step up from running after a train and riding the rails in a dirty boxcar.
reply
jb8328
For shorter flights this is a great idea, Air Canada is also doing some bus services to Hamilton etc. Avoids wasting vital slots when the bus time is not much more than a flight would be. AMS-BRU for example would be a great candidate for this type of service!
reply
For shorter flights this is a great idea, Air Canada is also doing some bus services to Hamilton etc. Avoids wasting vital slots when the bus time is not much more than a flight would be. AMS-BRU for example would be a great candidate for this type of service!
reply
easternpa2
I've taken the bus connecting Terminal F to Terminal C at PHL, but never from ABE to PHL! Very interesting video. AA also partnered with Amtrak and sold tickets where the first leg of a multi-leg flight was actually a train ride to Newark Liberty.
reply
I've taken the bus connecting Terminal F to Terminal C at PHL, but never from ABE to PHL! Very interesting video. AA also partnered with Amtrak and sold tickets where the first leg of a multi-leg flight was actually a train ride to Newark Liberty.
reply
deborahabston4222
I took a trip to Atlantic City from Detroit 37 years ago. We did fly into Philadelphia and then took ground transportation to Atlantic City. For the life of me I cannot remember what that ground transport was though. Or the airline.
reply
I took a trip to Atlantic City from Detroit 37 years ago. We did fly into Philadelphia and then took ground transportation to Atlantic City. For the life of me I cannot remember what that ground transport was though. Or the airline.
reply
Toxic-hz8sl
I’m really confused why they even have the bus to Wilmington. It’s clear no one rides it because most people needing to get to Wilmington without a car usually just take the SEPTA train which is also 50 minutes but only like $8
reply
I’m really confused why they even have the bus to Wilmington. It’s clear no one rides it because most people needing to get to Wilmington without a car usually just take the SEPTA train which is also 50 minutes but only like $8
reply
Papershields001
I’ve gotta be honest, it would be really nice to go through security at a small airport like Charlottesville, get a bus ride for like 2 hours and then end up airside with bags checked and everything for a flight at Dulles.
reply
I’ve gotta be honest, it would be really nice to go through security at a small airport like Charlottesville, get a bus ride for like 2 hours and then end up airside with bags checked and everything for a flight at Dulles.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
