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Earlier this month, Massport introduced the first-ever remote TSA terminal in Framingham, MA. This terminal allows ticketed passengers to go through TSA in Framingham, ride a secured bus, and enter Boston Logan Airport past security. For my recent flight to Orlando, I decided to check out the remote terminal. Here’s how it works, along with my experience.
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The Framingham Remote Terminal is currently offered to guests on Delta and JetBlue Airlines. It’s a pilot program, and the hope is that this will be expanded to guests beyond these airlines. It’s available to guests flying between 5:30 am and 4 pm. International flights operating within these parameters are included.
If you use the terminal, you must use the included bus service. The total cost is $9 each way. You can choose to only book a one-way ticket to the airport, which is what I did.
You can’t just show up at the remote terminal. You’ll need to book a separate reservation for the remote terminal service. Visit the official website and select your airline and flight.
You’ll be shown a selection of buses to choose from (if multiple options are available). Currently, buses are offered every hour, on the hour, during the time frame. Return buses are generally every 20-30 minutes, depending on the time of day.
Once you select your bus, you’ll have the option to add on parking and a return bus trip. Then, you’ll purchase your ticket. You’ll get an emailed receipt with a QR code. However, during my trip, I didn’t need the QR code. The email comes from Landline, which is the operating company for this service (it’s easy to miss).
My flight was at 9:40 am, and I had several buses to choose from. I selected the latest option for me, which was 7:00 am.
Reservations can be booked from 90 days to 90 minutes in advance. There’s limited availability, so book it as soon as you can. My bus wasn’t even half full, but demand may continue to grow.
Instead of parking at the terminal, I got a ride. It did seem like the lot was getting very full. The parking lot is right next to the terminal, on Flutie Way, a few blocks down from the Logan Express building.
The new terminal has lots of signage, so it’s easy to figure out exactly where you’ll need to go. Right by the entrance, there are two desks – one for JetBlue and one for Delta. That’s where you’ll check your bags and get your bus ticket printed.
I didn’t check a bag, but still needed to check in to get the bus ticket. They also put a small tag on your carry-on bag to let the baggage handlers know which airline you are on. Carry-on bags go under the bus, making it easier for handlers to know which luggage to take out at each stop.
Once I was done with the desk, I was directed to the sitting area to wait until TSA opened. There are bathrooms and a vending machine in this area. Keep in mind that you can’t bring drinks through TSA screening, so you’ll need to finish anything you have on you.
For my 7 am bus, security was scheduled to open at 6:20 am. Guests are advised to arrive no later than 45 minutes before the bus departure. Checked bags are not accepted after that time.
There is one TSA screening line at the Framingham Logan Remote Terminal. At about 6:22 am, the secured doors opened, and those with TSA PreCheck were asked to go first. Although there isn’t a separate TSA PreCheck line, those with PreCheck can keep everything in their bags and their shoes on, just like at the airport. Currently, guests go through a metal detector, not a body scanner.
Once through the secure TSA area, you enter a secured seating area. Like the first seating area, this one has a restroom and a vending machine.
Note that there is no CLEAR service at the Framingham Remote Terminal.
About 15 minutes before departure, guests were invited onto the bus, which was parked in a secure area, adjacent to the terminal. There’s a ramp heading down to the bus. You’ll show your ticket as you exit the building, and then leave your carry-on bag to be loaded at the bottom of the bus.
Our driver boarded and explained that we’d make two stops: one at Terminal A for Delta and one at Terminal C for JetBlue. Interestingly, the bus doesn’t stop directly at Terminal E, although it is a short walk from the Terminal C dropoff point. For Delta flights departing Terminal E, the website displays the following message: “If you’re a Delta passenger traveling to Terminal E, you’ll get off at Terminal A and take the airside Delta shuttle to your flight.”
Our driver also explained that we’d probably need to stop for a few minutes for an inspection. The Terminal A stop is first, followed by Terminal C. Although checked bags travel on the bus with us, guests wouldn’t have access to them (just like when you are flying).
Our bus ride to Logan Airport was quick, as is typical for 7 am on a Saturday. Keep in mind that this ride can vary quite a bit in length during rush hour.
When we arrived at the airport, things started to slow down. We had to wait a while for our escort into the secured area. At one point, the bus had to back up and park for a few minutes. Once our escort arrived and the bus was quickly checked, we headed to the first stop for Delta.
Guests are told to get off the bus, grab their carry-ons, but leave their checked bags. My flight was on JetBlue, so I waited on the bus for the second stop.
Someone ahead of me tried to tip the driver, but was told that they are unable to accept gratuities. This is different from the standard Logan Express buses.
It took a while to get from Terminal A to Terminal C. Once we were there, I exited the bus and headed to the large ramp (in a zig-zag pattern, similar to a cruise ramp). At this point, we were asked if anyone needed wheelchair assistance.
When I entered the terminal, it was at a spot near where Terminal C and Terminal E connect – past security. I stopped at Starbucks for coffee and realized it was around 8:30 am (an hour and a half after the bus departed). I had around 40 minutes before my flight boarded, which was enough time to have my coffee, use the restroom, and find my gate.
This is how long it took for me to arrive at my gate. While I do feel like the time from arrival to bus departure was standard, I do think we were atypically delayed once we arrived.
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Arrived at Framingham Remote Terminal | 6:02 am |
| Finished check-in/bag drop | 6:05 am |
| TSA Opened | 6:22 am |
| Cleared TSA | 6:25 am (I was first) |
| Boarded bus | 6:47 am |
| Bus departed | 7:00 am |
| Arrived at Logan | 7:50 am |
| Reached gate (JetBlue, 2nd stop) | 8:30am |
For my JetBlue flight, it took about 2 hours and 28 minutes from arrival at the Framingham Remote Terminal to reaching my gate.
Here’s who should consider using the remote terminal
The Remote Terminal isn’t for everyone. Here’s who should probably skip it.
I probably would use it again, but not always. For instance, I’m flying this week on Delta, and don’t want to wake up as early as the service would require. I can wake up later and still get to the airport with plenty of time. However, there are times when I absolutely would use it, especially if I check a bag, since that’s another step I’d get to skip at the airport.
It’s important to know that you can still take the $9 Logan Express bus from Framingham, from the Terminal on Burr St. These guests are completely separate from those who are screened at the Terminal and do not ride the same buses.
Bottom line: The Framingham Logan Remote Terminal can be a great option if you’re flying JetBlue or Delta, live near MetroWest, want a calmer TSA experience, and don’t mind building in extra time for the secured bus transfer. It’s not necessarily faster than driving directly to Logan, but it can be less stressful.
It can be worth it for you if you fit the circumstances listed above. Would you take it?
To book the Logan Remote Terminal in Framingham, visit this page.
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