For as long as most of us have been flying, one part of the airport experience has felt unavoidable:
The TSA line.
Sure, some airports are faster than others. Some travelers have PreCheck. A lucky few breeze right through.
But until now, virtually everyone flying out of a major U.S. airport has had to go through security at the airport itself.
That’s starting to change.
The reason that larger airports recommend arriving at least 2 hours before your domestic flight is because of the time you may need to spend in the queues.
- If there are more passengers than available check-in kiosks, you’ll have to wait for one to become available.
- You may have to wait in line to drop off your checked baggage.
- And then you may need to wait in another line to go through the TSA security checkpoint.
Effective June 1, 2026, Boston Logan International Airport launched a new pilot program that lets select passengers check in, drop their bags and clear TSA security at a remote terminal in Framingham, Massachusetts. That, in turn, will allow them to avoid the stress and congestion of the “regular” TSA security checkpoint.
This is a first-of-its-kind program in the country. It’s being rolled out by Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), and is designed to help travelers skip the terminal security lines altogether.
How the new TSA process works
Instead of heading straight to BOS, eligible passengers can check in, drop their bags, and breeze through TSA screening at a terminal in Framingham. From there, they’ll board a secure shuttle bus that takes them directly to the airport, where they’ll arrive airside, past the security checkpoint.
Who’s eligible
Since this is a pilot program, eligibility is limited. It is initially available only to passengers flying on Delta or JetBlue flights departing between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.
What it entails
According to Massport’s website, the program has 5 steps:
- Reserve your spot – Book your trip online up to 90 days to 90 minutes before departure. Availability is limited, so reserving ahead is recommended.
- Check in with your airline in Framingham – Check in, print boarding passes and check your baggage at the Remote Terminal, just like you would at BOS.
- Go through security in Framingham – Complete TSA security screening at the Remote Terminal before heading to BOS.
- Board the secure Logan Express bus – Once you board the bus, you are already past security. Your checked bags are transported securely and delivered directly into the Logan baggage system for loading onto your flight. Buses leave every hour.
- Get dropped off airside at BOS – Already checked in and TSA‑cleared, you’ll arrive inside your terminal’s secure area with time to reach your gate.
The service costs $9 each way, and officials recommend booking reservations in advance due to limited availability.
How to get a ticket
Eligible JetBlue and Delta passengers can reserve a spot directly through Massport’s website.
After the information is entered, the system recommends the best shuttle time based on the flight’s departure time. According to Massport, each bus is scheduled to arrive at Logan International Airport at least 45 minutes before takeoff. The website also says that reservations can be made anywhere from 90 days to 90 minutes before departure (but travelers are encouraged to book early).
Whether this pilot program becomes the future of airport security or just a niche convenience remains to be seen.
But if it works as intended, it could address one of travelers’ biggest complaints: the uncertainty of airport security lines.
Instead of wondering whether the checkpoint will take five minutes or fifty, passengers could potentially arrive at the airport already screened and ready to head straight to their gate.
For now, the program is limited to a relatively small group of travelers. But if it proves popular, don’t be surprised if other airports start looking at whether they can do something similar.
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
