One of the busiest airports in the country has launched an innovative solution to alleviate long security lines, just in time for the busy summer travel season.
On June 1, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) opened the first “remote” airport terminal in the US. The new facility, officially called the Logan Airport Remote Terminal at Framingham, is part of a groundbreaking pilot program to allow certain travelers to skip long lines at TSA and head directly to their departure gate.
The project is run by the Massachusetts Port Authority, also known as Massport. Passengers who qualify for the pilot program simply need to make an online reservation to use the remote terminal and pay a $9 fee. Registered travelers can then check in, print their boarding passes, drop their checked bags, and complete their security screening at the Framingham facility. The TSA screening experience will be exactly like the process in a standard terminal. (However, there is no designated PreCheck lane.)
After going through TSA, travelers then immediately board a secure shuttle bus and drive for about 30 minutes to Boston Logan, where they’re dropped off beyond the security checkpoint and can walk straight to their gate.
“Imagine arriving at the airport having already checked in and cleared security and then being dropped off just steps from your gate,” Massport CEO Rich Davey said in a statement in May. “This is the kind of stress-free process we’re working to make a reality for everyone.”
The concept is sure to be alluring to many travelers, as snaking lines from March’s government shutdown still loom large in fliers’ collective memories and summer vacation crowds begin to throng terminals.
“This is an interesting way for passengers to avoid congested airport processes,” says Gary Leff, an aviation expert and Condé Nast Traveler travel advisor. “It can save a lot of money on airport construction as well to increase capacity, which is especially difficult to do while an airport remains in full operation.”
For now, only travelers flying with Delta or JetBlue between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. will be able to use Boston’s remote terminal. Reservations are available from 90 days before departure, up until just 90 minutes before takeoff. During the trial period there will be limited slots, so interested travelers are encouraged to book the service as early as possible.
To secure your spot, head to Massport’s dedicated remote terminal booking page. From there, click “purchase tickets” and select your airline. You can add as many tickets as you need, based on how many people you’re traveling with, and then enter your flight information. (Children under 18 are free with a ticketed family member.) The system then recommends a bus departure time to ensure travelers arrive at the BOS terminal at least 45 minutes before their flight departs.
Buses will be operated by The Landline Company, which specializes in secure airport transfers, and depart Framingham every hour on the hour. It’s not clear how many travelers will be allowed in the remote terminal at once, but Landline’s buses will hold a total of 55 passengers each.
On the same booking page, travelers can also purchase return bus tickets from Boston Logan to the Framingham remote terminal. That service is called Framingham LEX and is available curbside at all BOS terminals.
And if you’re not flying Delta or JetBlue anytime soon, don’t worry: Massport says it has plans to expand the remote terminal program to include additional airlines and their passengers in the near future.