American Airlines Expands Landline Bus Service to Chicago O’Hare

Updated: July 21, 2025, 2:15pm CDT

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AA Launches Landline Bus Between South Bend and Chicago
Final Thoughts

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American Airlines has operated bus service between small markets and nearby major hubs for a few years now, but it’s mostly centered on the airline’s Philadelphia hub.

However, the airline is expanding the Landline bus service to its Chicago (ORD) hub with new service from South Bend, Indiana (SBN).

Here’s what you need to know.

AA Launches Landline Bus Between South Bend and Chicago

Starting October 3, 2025, American Airlines will add Landline bus service between South Bend International Airport (SBN) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The service will operate 4 times daily, as reported by Ishrion Aviation on X.

american airlines bus — Image Credit: Landline

American’s Landline bus service is designed specifically for connecting passengers. In this iteration, passengers originating in South Bend will check in as they usually would for a flight, including handing over their checked baggage should they have any.

They’ll clear security in South Bend and wait for their “flight” as usual. Instead of boarding a plane, however, they’ll board an American Airlines-branded bus that will take them on the approximately 110-mile journey (the exact mileage depends on the route taken) to O’Hare Airport.

Once there, they’ll enter the airport as post-security passengers and can head directly to the gate for their connecting flight. The airline will handle any necessary baggage transfers. The process works the same in reverse if South Bend is your final destination.

The buses feature Wi-Fi and air conditioning, ensuring a comfortable journey for all passengers.

American claims the journey will take 2 hours and 45 minutes, with buses departing South Bend at the following times: 6:45 a.m., 7:11 a.m., 9:15 a.m., and 1:35 p.m. As of now, you cannot purchase a ticket on the Landline bus just between South Bend and Chicago; only connecting itineraries are available.

The new Landline bus service between South Bend and Chicago represents an expansion of this concept from American Airlines. Currently, the airline offers Landline service primarily on the East Coast, with routes between Philadelphia and several nearby cities, including Atlantic City (ACY), Allentown/Bethlehem (ABE), Trenton-Mercer, New Jersey (TTN), Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AVP), and Wilmington, Delaware (ILG).

American isn’t the only airline that partners with Landline to provide “flights” between small cities and nearby major hubs.

The company also works with Sun Country Airlines at Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Air Canada at Toronto-Pearson (YYZ). United previously partnered with Landline at Denver (DEN), but it has since ended.

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Final Thoughts

American Airlines is expanding its partnership with Landline to provide bus service between South Bend, Indiana, and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. This new “route” is designed for passengers with connecting itineraries and will serve the same function as what would otherwise be an exceedingly short flight on a regional jet.