Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) Flights & Flight Status

A major hub in the northeast, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) has in recent years become an attractive option for travellers. With more than 50 global destinations, it’s ramping up its reach thanks to a new international terminal that debuted in 2023. Major carriers including Delta and JetBlue also have scaled up their BOS routes. The airport has its quirks – some terminals don’t connect beyond security, for example, and passengers are likely to walk a fair bit. But in many ways, BOS is a charming extension of Boston itself. Here’s what to know for your next trip.

Getting to and from BOS

Beware of Boston’s traffic

BOS is approximately five miles from Boston city centre. Still, traffic can be problematic (especially during road works, like tunnel upgrades, which can add hours to your trip). So if you’re planning a taxi or Uber, be sure to factor in extra time, especially during rush hour. In addition, just getting to BOS via car can be tricky and confusing, even for seasoned locals (for example, an Uber driver nearly missed a turn on the way to drop me off once).

How to get to and from BOS on public transportation

As far as public transportation goes, the Silver Line, or SL1, which is part of the bus system, scores highly for convenience and budget. It’s free for trips that start at BOS, with pickup spots at all terminals. From there, it’s just about a 20- to 30-minute journey, depending on traffic, to South Station in central Boston. If you’re heading to BOS, you’ll have to pay a standard bus fare, but at less than half the cost of a coffee, it’s the best deal in town.

Tips for ride service pickup and drop-off

Uber and Lyft are the two ride service companies permitted to operate at BOS. Drop-offs are easy for departures: Drivers will bring you kerbside to your specific airline. Pick-ups from BOS are a bit more complex and require a long-ish walk. Each terminal has its own pick-up area; follow the signs indicating Ride App. Even if you’re well-versed in using Uber or Lyft, I recommend checking out the step-by-step instructions on BOS’s official website ahead of time.

How to prepare for your trip to BOS

Download the FlyLogan app

As far as airport apps go, the FlyLogan app does the job. It offers the requisite gate information and flight status, as well as a few handy extras. Among them: an order ahead option for many airport restaurants, a bus locator, including arrival times for on-airport shuttles, and free Wi-Fi access.

In addition, if you decide to drive to the airport, you can reserve a parking spot in advance via the app – a helpful option in busy travel times. And if you opt to drive, be sure to take advantage of the handy “Mark My Car” service so you don’t forget where you parked.

Get the lay of the land at BOS

BOS has four terminals: A, B, C and E, each with its own ticketing, baggage claim, and ground transportation services. Terminal A serves Delta and WestJet, while some popular budget carriers including Spirit and Southwest operate out of B. JetBlue and AerLingus are among the carriers in Terminal C, while international flights – including British Airways – will fly into and out of Terminal E.

Security queue services

All terminals offer TSA PreCheck (the Transportation Security Administration is effectively US airport security), which is relevant for UK citizens using the Global Entry scheme. If travelling from the UK, you will likely arrive at Terminal E, where it’s blisteringly fast to get through security in my experience: I once got through immigration in less than a minute.

BOS’s layout gets mixed reviews. Some passengers say it’s straightforward and easy to navigate, while others claim the opposite. In my experience, it’s been more or less ok, with a few notable exceptions. One of those: Terminals B, C and E are connected post-security – but Terminal A isn’t. That can have consequences on where you shop and eat – and perhaps whether you’ll be able to spend time with travel companions before departure.

(Case in point: On a recent flight from BOS, I was flying JetBlue while my parents were on Delta. Because those airlines are in different terminals – C and A, respectively – we lost a couple of hours of time together before our flights.)

Get ready to walk

Another important consideration, especially if you’re travelling with children or have a tight connection: You might be doing lots of walking at BOS (more than a mile, in some cases). So come prepared with extra time and comfy shoes – and be ready to get your step count in.

The good (and bad) news about the international terminal

If you’re an international passenger at BOS, the good news is that the international passenger terminal (E) is its newest. It opened in 2023, adding a much-needed 33% increase in gate capacity. The upgrade also brought a long-overdue boost for the passenger experience. Design aficionados will appreciate the building’s striking, UFO-shaped design and unique “Boston Red” colour that was patented by architect Luis Vidal.

Now, for the bad news, which is another major gripe about BOS among passengers (myself included): the international terminal is completely separate from the domestic terminal. As such, it requires a lengthy, often confusing trek to make connections from international destinations. This process is even more exhausting after a long-haul flight – especially if you’re travelling with little ones or passengers who have mobility issues.

Lots of options for local cuisine

On the dining front, BOS delivers with an array of options for passengers to get a taste of local cuisine, from world-famous clam chowder to Italian favourites. Passengers with big appetites should head to Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse (located at C25), a Boston-based steakhouse chain that serves up hearty portions. Lucca (B15), specialising in creative Italian dishes, is another local favourite where you won’t go hungry. For fresh seafood, including a raw bar, lobster and fish and chips, there’s no better choice than Legal Sea Food, which has six locations at BOS (and at least one in each terminal).

Boston Public Market (C27) is a miniature version of its central public market, offering an array of locally sourced options, from bagels to seafood. For grab-and-go featuring local locally made products, head to Berkshire Farms Market (A6 and B20), where you can also snap up some souvenirs.

Airport lounges: The best of BOS

Airline lounge options for British Airways, Lufthansa and Air France

If you’re a British Airways, Lufthansa or Air France frequent flyer (or have alliance status), you’ll most certainly take advantage of your respective airline lounge at BOS. The elegant and modern British Airways lounge, which opened in 2015, is located in Terminal E, opposite gate E11. (Heads up: It opens at 4:30 a.m. and closes at 9:20 p.m. every day, but is closed from 7:00–8:00 a.m. and 1:00–2:00 p.m.)

Also located in Terminal E and providing great views over the runway, the Air France lounge is located close to gates E3 and E4. Children under 2 years old are granted free access with an adult, while cardholder and non-guest entrants must be 21 or older. The Lufthansa lounge, meanwhile, features a stunning window wall overlooking Boston Harbor and the airport. It is located close to the British Airways lounge near Gate E11.

Visit the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club

Another new standout is Chase’s 11,640-square-foot stunner, one of the snazziest lounges I’ve had the pleasure of spending time in. Located in the connector gates between B39 and B40, it’s a bit of a walk to reach, but it’s well worth it for its high-end experience.

There’s a lot to like, starting with plenty of seating and a spectacular view of the airfield. The upscale, made-to-order cuisine by award-winning Boston chef Douglass Williams is restaurant-quality. Artisan cocktails are delivered by waiters (you can also head over to the beautiful bar). Other perks include massage chairs and showers (free and bookable on site) and nursing rooms – an especially nice touch for parents.

The lounge is available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, who are also allowed to bring in a guest. Priority Pass cardholders can enter too, but with a catch: They can only visit once per year. You can also get a day pass, depending on availability. They’re pricey, but considering how much you’ll get out of it, it’s well worth the splurge.

Bring the littles to the Kidport

With a kid-sized replica of the airport’s control tower slides, and other fun amenities, this child-friendly spot is nirvana for both littles ones and their parents. Another bonus: Kidport has three locations, in Terminals A, B and C (all post-security).

I wish more airports would implement kid-friendly areas like this, as they’re a win-win for everyone involved. Kids have a blast. Frazzled parents get a break. The benefits extend onboard, too, as pint-sized passengers have burned off some energy pre-departure. Bravo on the Kidport, BOS.

Visit the first airport chapel

Opened in 1951, the “Our Lady of the Airways” chapel is the first airport chapel in the US. Originally built for use by airport employees, it was expanded in 1965 to seat 250 people. That Catholic chapel remains today as a place of worship and quiet reflection for both passengers and Bostonians, who regularly attend mass led by the airport’s Catholic chaplain-priest.

The chapel isn’t easy to find: It’s tucked near baggage claim between Terminals B and C. And it’s landside, so if you want to soak up its serene, quiet environs before heading into the airport chaos, be sure to give yourself enough time to get through security.