Boston Logan plans America’s first remote TSA terminal 25 miles from the airport
May 19, 2026
Passengers flying from Boston Logan International Airport will soon be able to clear TSA security more than 25 miles away from the airport under what Massachusetts officials are calling the first remote airport terminal of its kind in the United States.
The new “Straight to Gate” pilot program launches June 1 at the Logan Express site in Framingham, Massachusetts. Travelers on select Delta Air Lines and JetBlue flights will be able to check in, drop off bags, complete TSA screening, and board a secure bus directly to Logan Airport’s post-security area.
The initiative is being led by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) in partnership with the Transportation Security Administration and airport mobility company Landline. Massport says the goal is to reduce congestion at Logan while making the airport journey less stressful for travelers.
How the Logan remote terminal works
Passengers using the service will first travel to the Framingham Logan Express terminal rather than heading directly to the airport. There, they can:
- Check in for eligible flights
- Drop off checked baggage
- Pass through standard TSA screening
- Board a secure, dedicated shuttle bus to the airport
Once the bus arrives at Logan, passengers bypass the airport security checkpoint entirely and proceed directly to their gate area.
According to Massport, passengers must arrive at the remote terminal at least two hours before their scheduled departure.
Massport said buses will operate hourly from 4 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the pilot phase. Each bus accommodates up to 55 passengers. Travelers can reserve spots online up to 90 days in advance.
The shuttle service costs $9 each way, and children under 17 ride free with an accompanying adult. Parking at the Framingham site costs $7 per day—significantly lower than on-airport parking rates at Logan where economy lots cost $37 per day.
Delta and JetBlue check-in counters on-site
The Framingham facility includes airline check-in counters staffed by Delta and JetBlue representatives and TSA screening lanes designed to mirror those at the airport.
“Delta is built for Boston, and we’re always looking for ways to make the travel experience better for our New England customers,” said Charlie Schewe, Director of Sales – East, Delta Air Lines, in the Massport announcement. “This forward-thinking program is exactly the kind of innovation we want to be part of – elevating the journey and getting people to their destination seamlessly. We’re excited to work alongside Massport to bring this to life.”
Daniel Blake, Vice President Airport Experience, JetBlue, said, “JetBlue has always focused on creating a seamless experience for our customers, from the first moment of planning a trip, to after they reach their destination. As Massport pilots this first-in-the-nation approach to remote check-in and security screening for customers in the region, we’re excited to try new ways to enhance our customers’ journey by thinking outside the box and collaborating with our airport partners.”
Massport TSA pilot aims to make the journey more efficient
“The Remote Terminal pilot program is part of Massport’s broader vision to reimagine the travel experience and make the passenger journey more seamless, connected, and efficient,” said Davey in the Massport announcement. “Passengers in and around Metro West now have a new, low-stress way to reach Boston Logan. 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.”
According to TravelMarket Report, the authority could expand the concept to other Logan Express locations if demand proves strong.
“We’re going to start small to see if we can get folks excited about it. My goal is, if this is successful in Framingham, then we would make it permanent in Framingham, maybe Braintree, for example, Woburn,” TravelMarket Report quotes Davey as saying.
The airport is also considering extending the remote TSA clearance service to other airlines.
Building on the success of the Logan Express strategy to reduce congestion
The TSA pilot also builds on Logan’s long-running Logan Express (LEX) strategy, originally introduced to reduce roadway congestion around the airport by encouraging suburban park-and-ride transit options.
LEX offers service to every terminal at Boston Logan from five locations: Framingham, Woburn, Braintree, Danvers, and Boston’s Back Bay. LEX carried over 2.7 million passengers last year, with Framingham being the busiest location.
TSA explores off-site screening at other US airports
The remote TSA pilot at Logan would help manage growing passenger demand without investing in major airport expansion projects. Logan handled more than 43 million passengers in 2025, making it one of the busiest airports in the northeastern United States.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the TSA has explored similar off-site screening concepts for other US cities and private terminals, though Boston’s program is the first such trial directly linked to the air-side terminal via a major airport shuttle network.
Featured Image: Fletcher | Wikimedia Commons
