Airlines change their route maps all the time. A destination that makes perfect sense this year might disappear next year because demand drops, another airline moves in, or the route simply isn’t profitable anymore.
Some states are harder to serve than others
Some states are tiny. Others have relatively small populations. And in a few cases, it’s simply easier for travelers to use a major airport just across the state line. As a result, several airlines don’t bother serving every state.
Most airlines come close
That being said, in recent years, no commercial airline has serviced all 50 states – although some come close:
- United: 49
- Delta: 49
- Allegiant: 46
- Southwest: 42
- Frontier: 41
Then American found a workaround
Since October of 2024, American Airlines serves all 50 states.
But there’s a catch!
There’s always a catch ;-).
For years, American also topped out at 49 states. Then it partnered with Landline, a company that operates luxury motorcoach service as part of an American Airlines itinerary.
Landline services the following airports from Philadelphia Airport (PHL)
PHL connections to / from:
- Allentown / Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (ABE)
- Atlantic City, New Jersey (ACY)
- Trenton-Mercer, New Jersey (TTN)
- Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, Pennsylvania (AVP)
- Wilmington, Delaware (ILG)
Because passengers can book the Wilmington motorcoach as part of an American Airlines itinerary, American now has a presence in Delaware, thereby giving it service in all 50 states. That’s something no other airline can say at this time.
Sure, it’s a bit of a technicality.
After all, American isn’t flying one of its airplanes into Delaware.
But if you can book the trip on American’s website, check in with American, earn AAdvantage miles, and travel on an American Airlines itinerary from Delaware, it’s hard to argue that the airline doesn’t serve the state.
Whether you count it as a flight or a very comfortable bus ride, one thing is certain:
Right now, American Airlines is the only U.S. airline that can legitimately claim service in all 50 states.
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