Boston Logan International Airport is testing a remote TSA screening program that lets passengers clear security in Framingham before heading directly to their gate by shuttle bus.
The Boston Logan International Airport is conducting an interesting three-month trial: screening passengers remotely at a facility around 25 miles away from the airport. Once screened, passengers would be ferried straight to their gates by bus. The initiative was launched to help reduce wait times at the airport and make the process smoother for passengers. If the pilot is successful, the program could become permanent.
Starting June 1, passengers in the Boston area can skip the snaking airport lines and travel to the remote terminal in Framingham to drop off their baggage and get screened. There, TSA agents will screen them under the same rules used at the airport, with TSA PreCheck available. After clearing security, passengers will wait in an area with bathrooms and vending machines before boarding a secure bus to the airport gate.
The Landline Company, which operates shuttles between smaller airports and larger hubs, will operate the secure buses. TSA agents will conduct screenings, while airline staff will meet buses at the gate to transfer luggage.
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The service is one of a kind in the U.S., although passengers can access exclusive airport services for a price. At New York’s JFK and Los Angeles International Airport, Delta offers a private screening service for Delta One passengers. Meanwhile, PS offers private TSA screenings, along with other benefits, at Los Angeles and Atlanta for $4,850 annually.
This remote screening service, however, is available for all passenger classes without added costs.
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Opting for the service will require additional planning. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which operates the airport, recommends arriving 45 minutes before the scheduled bus departure to clear security and check checked bags.
Rich Davey, CEO of Massport, said passengers in the area now have a stress-free way to reach the airport. “Imagine arriving at the airport having already checked in and cleared security and then being dropped off just steps from your gate. This is the kind of stress-free process we’re working to make a reality for everyone.”
For now, passengers traveling with JetBlue and Delta between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. can use the service. One-way tickets cost $9, while children travel free with ticketed parents. Parking at the remote facility costs $7 per day. The pricing itself could be a deciding factor for travelers in the area, as it may save them money on gas and parking fees at Boston Logan, where parking costs $37 per day.
Another reason Framingham may appeal to travelers, especially those in the suburbs, is Boston’s notoriously heavy traffic. The buses will follow the same routes as regular traffic, and the trip to the terminal will take about 50 minutes or more, but it could make the process smoother, especially for families and larger groups.
Passengers can already reserve spots on the 55-passenger buses. Reservations can be made online between 90 days and 90 minutes before departure, and the buses will run hourly.
The program could also inspire other airports to explore similar solutions to decentralize airport operations amid growing travel demand. Boston Logan also plans to expand the program to passengers flying with additional airlines.
