Whether you’re feeling peckish or looking to do some shopping before departure, there are typically plenty of restaurants and stores to choose from in the airport terminal. But airport vendors have a reputation for inflated prices, leaving travelers to either begrudgingly pay those costs or skip spending altogether. Thankfully, a select few airports have taken the unusual step to charge amounts that are similar to street prices. Here’s a look at two U.S. airports that don’t inflate prices.

Portland International Airport

Whether you’re buying a souvenir shirt, a cheeseburger and fries, or a libation at the bar, the price you pay at Oregon’s Portland International Airport (PDX) will be in line with what you’d pay elsewhere in the city. In contrast, other major airports charge 10% to 20% above street pricing to cover operating costs.

In an interview with Travel Oregon, Kaitlin Hunter, senior manager of concessions at the Port of Portland, said, “All vendors are obligated to charge the same prices at the airport as they do on the street in Portland.” This means that a cup of coffee from Starbucks, for example, costs the same at a PDX terminal as it does in downtown Portland. According to a recent study conducted by Casino.ca, PDX charges the lowest price for beer among North American airports — $4.41 compared with the nationwide average of $8.02 per drink.

Portland’s airport also takes pride in offering concessions that are locally owned. This includes regional favorites such as Blue Star Donuts and the pasta shop Grassa. But even nonlocal chains such as McDonald’s and Potbelly have to abide by these pricing regulations.

This street pricing concept has proved to be a win-win for travelers and vendors alike. A 2016 report showed that passengers flying through PDX spent more than travelers passing through airports in Boston, D.C., and Seattle. 

Salt Lake City International Airport

Based on the success of PDX’s street pricing plan, Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) has implemented a similar policy. This decision comes in the wake of a $4.1 billion airport renovation, the first phase of which was completed in 2020.

“When people get the notion they’re not being gouged, or they’re not paying significantly more for something than they might otherwise be, they’ll buy it,” Bill Wyatt, the airport’s executive director, told The Salt Lake Tribune. “That’s clearly proved to be the case here.”

Indeed, the proof is in the pudding — or in this case, the booze. According to the same study conducted by Casino.ca, SLC is second to only PDX in regard to average beer price, charging just $5.10 per beverage. And some items actually cost less inside the airport than in other locations, according to a report from the Tribune. For instance, in 2023, an entree bowl from Panda Express cost $7.90 inside the airport and $8.00 outside. 

Still, a few vendors were found to not comply with the policy, including the Market Street Grill. Inside the airport, a plate of fish and chips cost $18.99, which was $1 higher than at a nonairport location. While PDX has a formal review process to keep prices stable, SLC lacks any in-house audit — at least for now. The concessions team relies on feedback from the general public to bring pricing anomalies to their attention. 

New York, New Prices

While Portland International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport are working to make the terminal experience cheaper, not every airport can say the same. In an effort to cover rising costs, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey revised the street pricing plan in 2025. This allows vendors at LaGuardia, JFK, and Newark to charge 15% above street prices, on top of an additional 3% surcharge to help cover employee benefits programs. Previous, the policy was 10%.

With some airports keeping prices stable and others raising them, it’s hard to project where the trends will go in the future. But with the street-pricing success stories being written at PDX and SLC, hopefully other U.S. airports will take notice.

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Ever taken a closer look at your boarding pass and noticed the letters “SSSS” printed at the top? These four letters can be easy to miss, but they mean a more time-consuming security screening process. Here’s what to expect if you find yourself being pulled aside by a TSA agent for having “SSSS” on your boarding pass.

What Does “SSSS” Mean?

“SSSS” is short for “Secondary Security Screening Selection.” It’s a mechanism for alerting TSA agents that the passenger requires an additional security check before being cleared. Having those four letters printed on your boarding pass doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re considered a threat, though — this designation is often applied randomly. In fact, according to a 2023 U.S. Senate report, “the vast majority” of SSSS designations in recent years were random selections.

In an article for Yahoo! Creators, former TSA agent Caleb Harmon-Marshall noted some of the other common reasons why you may be pulled aside. For instance, your name may match that of a person on the “Do Not Fly” list, in which case the TSA may need to confirm your identity before allowing you to board. Other red flags include potentially suspicious travel plans, such as if the passenger booked their flight last-minute or booked a one-way international flight with no return leg.

While you can only know for certain whether you’ve been selected for an SSSS screening once you obtain your boarding pass, there are some potential clues. For instance, say you check in for your flight online but are informed you have to pick up your physical boarding pass at the counter — this may be a sign that you’ve been flagged.

What Does the Screening Process Entail?

This additional security screening can be quite time-consuming, ranging from 10 minutes to over half an hour, depending on how many TSA agents are available. If you’ve been flagged, TSA agents will pull you aside to conduct a thorough search of your person and your belongings. Usually, the screening takes place at either the main security area or a screening location nearby that the TSA agent will lead you to.

During the screening, expect to have all of your luggage opened and manually inspected. This may even include agents swabbing objects to confirm there’s no potentially explosive residue present inside your bag. TSA agents also will likely both give you a physical pat-down and direct you through the body scanner so they can ensure there’s nothing potentially hazardous on your person. If you feel uncomfortable with a physical pat-down being performed in view of your fellow passengers, you can request a more private setting. Anticipate having your physical ID checked to confirm your identity as well.

Additionally, you may need to power up all of your electronic devices to prove they work. This includes your phone, tablet, or camera. If you’re unable to power up the device and prove it’s safe, TSA agents reserve the right to confiscate the item or allow you to return it to your car or home.

How To Prepare

First, it’s important to arrive up to an hour earlier than you normally would if you see “SSSS” on your boarding pass or you’re worried that you may get flagged. While the process may take only a few minutes at a less-crowded airport, it can potentially take longer if agents are busy. Be sure to have your electronics fully charged to lessen the risk of any potential hang-ups with the TSA. 

It’s also worth packing your suitcase neatly so you know where everything is and TSA agents can easily access the contents of your luggage. Lastly, remain calm and cooperative, abiding by any requests made by the TSA. While you probably won’t be happy to be pulled aside, complaints or aggressive behavior certainly won’t help your cause.

Is There Any Way To Avoid SSSS?

While there’s no surefire way to avoid the SSSS designation on your boarding pass, there is one way to lessen the chances that it’ll happen again. If you find yourself frequently having to deal with this nuisance, you can apply to the Department of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (also known as DHS TRIP).

The DHS TRIP program is available to anyone who is repeatedly referred to additional security screenings. You can also apply if you frequently encounter delays or denials when trying to board an aircraft or enter the United States. The program offers support in Arabic, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and many other languages frequently spoken in the U.S., allowing a wide array of travelers to take advantage of it if necessary. 

The Department of Homeland Security will review your case, and if the application is successful, you’ll be provided with a redress number to input for any future bookings. Keep in mind that it’s different from a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you receive through TSA PreCheck or similar programs. The redress number doesn’t guarantee you won’t be flagged in the future, but it alerts TSA that you’ve been reviewed by DHS, thus lessening the risk of future SSSS designations.

For all the joy that travel can bring, sitting in a cramped economy seat for hours on end isn’t something to look forward to. Tight quarters can inhibit circulation, leaving passengers feeling uncomfortably achy at the end of a long journey. To prevent these aches and pains, some people get up mid-flight and walk around the aisle, while others splurge for business class so they can spread out and relax. But those solutions aren’t necessarily convenient or affordable — here’s a clever one that is.

An Ace of a Solution

Feeling achy during or after a flight is often the result of poor circulation that comes with sitting in a confined space without much room to move. Impeded blood flow can also cause swelling, which can lead to deep vein thrombosis. Potential solutions to this issue include everything from compression socks to loose-fitting clothing, staying hydrated, and walking up and down the aisle to improve circulation. But there’s one other, often overlooked strategy to consider: packing a tennis ball in your carry-on and using it to give yourself an acupressure massage.

Tennis balls are not only permitted under TSA regulations but also take up very little space in your carry-on. Think of the ball as a personal masseuse sitting right next to you — only one that’s small, circular, and lime green. You can use the ball to provide acupressure to certain areas on the body, which can help stimulate blood flow, keep the muscles loose, and prevent potential stiffness or swelling. (Just be careful to keep your movements confined within your own personal space so as not to disturb your neighbor or anyone else on the aircraft.)

One technique is to place a tennis ball between your back and the seat, and then roll it up and down the muscles along your spine or around your shoulders. These areas can really stiffen up if you find yourself sitting for a long time, and a tennis ball can help relieve some of that tension. Alternatively, kick off your shoes and roll the tennis ball under the arch of each foot — loosening up the arches will help to loosen up your legs in general.

Personal trainer Laura Coleman offered a recommendation of her own on Instagram. Bring not one, but two tennis balls with you, stuff them in a sock, and place the sock between your back and the seat above the hips and below the shoulders. During the flight, press into the tennis balls in order to break up the muscles in your back and provide a bit of relief.

While this tip is perfect for the tight confines of an aircraft, it’s also worth considering when taking a long journey aboard Amtrak or riding as a passenger on a cross-country road trip. Even though you don’t have to worry about TSA checking your luggage in either case, you may find it’s worth having a tennis ball on hand, given how little space it takes up in your bag. 

Other Stretches To Help You Stay Loose

Whether or not you bring a tennis ball with you in your carry-on, there are other recommended stretches to help improve circulation on long-haul flights. For the lower body, try:

• Ankle circles: Lift each ankle off the ground one at a time. While raised, turn your ankle clockwise, then counterclockwise, and repeat as needed.
• Knee lifts: Raise your knee upward and slowly place it back on the ground, alternating between each leg. This helps activate muscles in the upper leg toward the hip.
• Calf raises: Remain seated and lift your heels off the ground as high as possible, hold, and then lower them back down. Repeat several times to encourage better blood flow.
• Figure-four seated stretch: While seated, cross one foot over the other knee and lean forward for several seconds. You should feel tension in your upper thighs. Alternate legs and repeat as necessary. (However, be careful to avoid crossing your legs when simply sitting still, as doing so can impede blood flow.)

For the upper body and spine, here are several helpful stretches:

• Neck rolls: Begin by relaxing the shoulders. Then, lean your head down toward either side and slowly roll your neck from shoulder to shoulder, repeating several times.
• Shoulder rolls: Keep your neck steady and rotate your shoulders in circular motions. Begin by rotating them clockwise, then switch directions and turn counterclockwise.
• Arm stretches: Bring each arm across your body (one at a time) and hold it to your chest with the other arm for 10 to 15 seconds before releasing. 
• Spinal twists: Remain seated with both feet flat on the floor, and place one arm onto an armrest. Twist your back toward the direction of the armrest, hold for several seconds before releasing, and repeat by twisting the other direction.

In addition to these stretches, it’s advisable to stand up and walk around the aisle every hour or two in order to keep the blood flowing. Remember to always be cognizant of others on the aircraft — you may find that some of these stretches are easier to complete in the airport before your flight or after you get to your hotel.

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With more people flying through U.S. airports than ever before, it’s not unusual for more than 3 million travelers to pass through TSA checkpoints on the busiest travel days. This inevitably leads to long lines at airport security, but fortunately, many airports are investing in potential solutions to ease congestion. Soon, one U.S. airport plans to test a first-of-its-kind pilot program in which travelers will be screened off-site before being securely shuttled to the terminal. Here are all the details.

Logan Airport’s Remote Terminal Pilot

In 2024, Boston Logan International Airport handled a record 43 million passengers. While this is an impressive accomplishment, it meant that the airport was more congested than ever before, which led to longer lines at security checkpoints. In an effort to alleviate the problem, Logan plans to test out a new remote terminal pilot program. Peter Howe of the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) shared with CBS News that the goal is “reducing the stress of getting to the airport and through security.”

Instead of heading directly to the airport, passengers who choose to use this service will begin their journey at a remote TSA screening facility in Framingham, located about 22 miles west of Logan Airport. The facility will be built in a parking lot along Flutie Pass on the Massachusetts Turnpike, and travelers will need to reserve tickets in advance.

Upon arrival, passengers will check their bags and undergo TSA screening with their carry-on luggage, then board an hourly bus with roughly 15 to 30 other passengers. Carry-ons will be allowed aboard the bus, but all checked bags will be stored under the bus in a separate, secure location. The bus will then drop off travelers airside at either Terminal A or Terminal C — bypassing those long checkpoints and allowing folks to head straight to their gate.

Why Framingham? Well, many frequent flyers are already familiar with the area because Framingham serves as a departure point for the Logan Express, a popular airport shuttle bus service. While those who take the existing bus service still have to undergo security checks upon arrival, this new program will get those checks out of the way early, while still utilizing the same bus route that many travelers are familiar with.

When Will It Start?

Massport aims to implement this pilot program in summer 2026 once the agency receives TSA approval. One of the chief roadblocks in implementing the pilot program is the concern that prescreened bags could be tampered with during the journey from Framingham to Logan Airport, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on traffic. Massport’s Peter Howe told WBUR that they are working with the TSA to “make sure that everything follows the correct standards and regulations.”

Buses will run once per hour for four or five hours each morning, though the service could be increased based on demand. If successful, Massport officials expect to expand the program to other areas such as Woburn and Braintree. 

As for the cost, Massport CEO Rich Davey shared with WBUR that the price of the service (bus included) will be the same as a ticket on the Logan Express, which currently costs $9 to book online.

Similar Programs

While Boston Logan’s pilot program is the first of its kind, it takes inspiration from an existing program run by American Airlines: the Landline bus service. This shuttle bus connects Chicago’s O’Hare Airport and Philadelphia International Airport with smaller regional airports nearby.

Landline connects O’Hare to Chicago Rockford International Airport and South Bend International Airport. In Philly, travelers can take a Landline bus to or from Lehigh Valley, Wilkes-Barre Scranton, Atlantic City, Trenton-Mercer, or Wilmington. Rather than pass through security at both airports, passengers need to do it only once before boarding the bus.

However, this program is reserved for American Airlines passengers, whereas the Logan pilot program is meant for anyone flying on any airline out of Logan. Also, tickets aboard the Landline bus must be booked as part of your airline reservation, while bus tickets out of Framingham can be booked separately.