Travel notes: American’s flight cuts; Cultural attraction-hotel offer; Amtrak group fare

December travelers will see fewer flights to and from Philadelphia International Airport.

The Philadelphia Business Journal (subscription) reported American Airlines will cut 15% of its flights during the first two weeks of the month due to pilot and other staff shortages.

Some of the cuts involve fewer flights to popular destinations that have multiple daily nonstops.

American says it has been upfront about its scheduling which comes as air travel recovers from the pandemic.

Fewer flights could send a few more Delaware business and leisure travelers to Baltimore-Washington, despite the longer drive and tolls. Southwest Airlines operates what it calls a focus city. Southwest has also made cuts to its schedule.

While American accounts for the bulk of the flights out of PHL, Frontier Airlines has emerged as the No. 2 carrier with nonstops to more than two-dozens cities. Frontier dropped a twice-a-week nonstop to Orlando from New Castle Airport.

Frontier recently announced a daily flight from Philadelphia to Phoenix, a destination where American has half a dozen daily nonstops.

Amtrak’s group fare expanded

Amtrak is sweetening discounts for group travel through its Share Fare program. Discounts can be added for groups of up eight traveling to a family event or business meeting.

To get the fare package, passengers must travel together on the same itinerary and have tickets issued together. Discounts are as follows:

Reservations for Share Fares must be made at least two days prior to departure. Northeast Corridor trains that stop in Wilmington are eligible.

3-2-1 tourism promotion returns

The “3-2-1 Getaway” to Greater Wilmington and the Brandywine Valley is returning this fall. Available through participating hotels, the package includes free admission for two adults and two children (ages 17 and under) to three top attractions with a two-night stay.

Museums and gardens included in this year’s program are the Delaware Art Museum; the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science; and Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library. Attraction tickets are valid from September 15 through November 15.

Tickets are delivered electronically to guests’ mobile phones. A list of participating hotels can be accessed via www.VisitWilmingtonDE.com/321.

“It was such a big hit with visitors that we decided to bring it back this year with a fresh line-up of attractions,” said Jennifer Boes, executive director of the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau.