TSA assessing new program that offers airside-to-airside connectivity via motorcoach out of
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a short term security program amendment to assess the security effectiveness of an industry-first program transporting by bus screened passengers, their carry-on items and their checked baggage from the secured area of Lehigh Valley International Airport into the secured area of Philadelphia International Airport.
The program enables travelers from Lehigh Valley Interntional Airport (ABE) to be screened by TSA at the airport and then be transported by bus directly to a gate inside Philadelphia International Airport's (PHL) secure area to catch a flight to their destination without being rescreened at Philadelphia.
The program, which launched this week, allows American Airlines customers traveling on Landline-operated motorcoaches from Lehigh Valley to fly out of Philadelphia. The program has been operating in a curb-to-curb manner since June 2022, and now offers airside-to-airside motorcoach operations.
Beginning this week, customers are able to arrive at ABE, check-in with American, clear security the airport like any other flight, and then board their coach on the secure side of the terminal. Customers will arrive at a terminal gate at Philadelphia International Airport and proceed straight to their connecting flight without having to go back through security screening.
"This program enables travelers to travel out of a large international airport conveniently by going through our security screening process from a smaller international airport," said Karen Keys-Turner, TSA's Federal Security Director for the airport. "We have put in numerous security requirements for the bus operators and all airline personnel to ensure robust security protocols are followed at all times."
"With a legacy of prioritizing convenience for passengers, Lehigh Valley International Airport becomes a more attractive travel option with the implementation of American Airlines and Landline's first ever 'tarmac to tarmac' operation starting this week," said Thomas R. Stoudt, Executive Director, Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.
"This partnership provides excellent connectivity to Philadelphia International Airport, and allowing passengers to process through the TSA Checkpoint at ABE elevates the customer experience while reducing stress for leisure or business travelers," he said.
"We are thankful to the TSA, our regulatory and airport partners, and Landline for the collective partnership and work to achieve this first-of-its-kind milestone," said American's Vice President of Corporate Security Gary Tomasulo. "We are excited to offer customers a more convenient experience to clear security at their local airport and arrive airside at our Philadelphia hub with a seamless connection to our global network."
"Airside service from ABE is a glimpse at the future of travel that Landline is creating, in which ground transportation is fully integrated into the travel day," said Landline Co-founder and CEO David Sunde. "Arriving airside via ground transportation and immediately boarding your flight reduces both time and stress associated with flight connections. We thank TSA and American for their partnership and support in this historic innovation for air travel."
Travelers arriving in PHL will continue to board their Landline coach airside and arrive directly at ABE. Checked baggage will be directly transferred between Landline's vehicles and American's network.