This U.S. Airport Is Testing Off-Site TSA Screening

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.