A first-of-its-kind remote airport terminal is set to launch in Massachusetts next month, giving some travelers flying out of Boston’s Logan International Airport the option to complete TSA screening nearly 25 miles away before heading straight to their gate.
Starting June 1, the Massachusetts Port Authority will open the Logan Airport Remote Terminal at 19 Flutie Pass along Route 9 in Framingham. Passengers will be able to check in for their flights, drop off luggage and complete TSA screening before ever reaching Logan Airport. After that, they will board a dedicated shuttle bus driven by Massport operators that takes them directly to their airside gate.
“It’s going to be more seamless, more convenient for the passengers and the traveling public,” Massport Deputy Director of Roadway Management Peter Howe told CBS News. “We want to see how this pilot goes to see what we can learn from it and how we can expand.”
During the pilot phase, the service will be limited to Delta Air Lines and JetBlue passengers traveling on flights scheduled between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Shuttle buses, which hold about 55 passengers each, will run hourly from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m., with tickets costing $9 each way. Buses are scheduled to arrive at Logan at least 45 minutes before departure.
The Framingham site also includes about 400 parking spaces priced at $7 per day, which is significantly cheaper than parking rates at Logan.
Security remains a central focus throughout the new process, according to Massport. After passengers check their bags, those items stay secured for transport and contingency plans are in place to handle any unexpected issues along the route.
“You’ve got state-of-the-art equipment, this is all regulated just as if you’re flying to an airport,” Daniel Blake, the VP of Airport Experience for JetBlue, told CBS News. “Those of you who like aviation, you’re going to be [dropped off] ramp side, so you’ll be among the airplanes walking up – it’s going to be a pretty cool sight.”
The concept is modeled in part on similar systems operated by The Landline Company in cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, where passengers are bused from regional locations directly to major hub airports for connecting flights.
“The magic of this is that the stress and the headache that you experience when you’re pulling up to a big airport, you’re wondering how long the baggage line is, how long the security line, all these kind of anxieties that come to your mind. We take care of all those up front,” Landline CEO David Sunde told CBS News.
Framingham passengers can already begin booking shuttle tickets, which are available from 90 days up to 90 minutes before departure. However, Massport is encouraging travelers to book early, since seating will be limited during the pilot phase and adjustments are expected as the program gets underway.
