Logan Airport Capital Projects

[OldColony]

I took my first flight on JetBlue last month, so this was my first visit to Terminal C in many, many years. My impression passing through security was how cramped the secure public space is leading to the gates. So seeing last week's report on JetBlue's Terminal C rebuild plans was a pleasant surprise.

While we waited for our flight out, I did see a Framingham Logan Express "Straight to Gate" bus arriving on the tarmac. Definitely a service we would have used via the Braintree Logan Express if it was available.

 

[citydweller]

The remote terminal pilot program has mostly pros. The TSA pre-check (in Framingham) was a breeze. The staff was great, treated you like a guest. Absolutely no stress, loved it. The Logan experience for Jet Blue was not as smooth. It took about 30 minutes for the bus to leave the security checkpoint entrance until you actually got to the special / makeshift gate. The reason for the delays was waiting for Jet traffic to clear. Buses must yield to 737s Note: I should mention that arriving at the Delta gate was much faster since Terminal A is very close to the security entrance. I think it would be a challenge to manage many Logan Express buses on the airport roads. It would be interesting to read the final report of the pilot program.

 

[CBCArch61]

While we waited for our flight out, I did see a Framingham Logan Express "Straight to Gate" bus arriving on the tarmac. Definitely a service we would have used via the Braintree Logan Express if it was available.

 

[jklo]

They drive to the tarmac? WTF.

 

[Stlin]

They drive to the tarmac? WTF.

That is admittedly the point of these remote terminals; you and your bags clear TSA out in Framingham and then you arrive at Logan airside, thereby skipping the lines at Logan. There's a reason it's on a remote lot from the garage with its own structure - even out there there's "landside & airside" and a fenced in secure sallyport for the buses.

And... I don't know how pilot-y this pilot actually is - to my understanding they've already awarded the CM@R contract for Braintree LEX, and that facility's design baked in a fairly significant expansion of remote terminal capacity, with 6 secure bus berths.

 

[citydweller]

They drive to the tarmac? WTF.

The buses are not on the tarmac but drive on the roadways, if you can call them roadways, where airport vehicles are allowed. The Logan express buses are escorted by a lead vehicle, a pseudo traffic cop, to ensure safety. Having said that, the bus driver had to stop quickly to allow a commuter plane to cross. Logistically, there are challenges traversing the terminals.

 

[BeeLine]

As of 726. The airport project just east of the Woodland Blue line station.

 

[Texasian]

MassPort's July meeting materials are out. Gives us some details for what we can expect for the Terminal C rebuild.

Some interesting bits:
- JetBlue approached MassPort with the proposal unprompted
- 5 year timeline once construction begins, with first phase coming online after 2 years.
- Integrates facilities for Logan Express remote terminal operations (maybe airside transfers ex-BOS?)
- No net change in gates

Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to not include a marquee lounge in the new space though. I guess they thought they just couldn't wait.

 

[Stlin]

Seems like a bit of a missed opportunity to not include a marquee lounge in the new space though. I guess they thought they just couldn't wait.

I mean, they did hollow out the shell space for a new lounge in C a couple years ago; JetBlue's BlueHouse is going in near C25 in a space unimpacted by this proposal and apparently is still scheduled to open this summer though I've not seen any press on it.

More interestingly though, now that you've brought it up, the other Terminal C lounge they approved was supposed to be built on top of whatever this is - commited to by Amex in 2024 for a Centurion Lounge with an outdoor space - is both conspicuously missing from the outdoor render, yet that protrustion remains. As I don't believe it ever began construction, I wouldn't be surprised if that space still will house a lounge... Just maybe more integrated into this new hammer head than tacked on.

 

[Chickenman]

I mean, they did hollow out the shell space for a new lounge in C a couple years ago; JetBlue's BlueHouse is going in near C25 in a space unimpacted by this proposal and apparently is still scheduled to open this summer though I've not seen any press on it.

More interestingly though, now that you've brought it up, the other Terminal C lounge they approved was supposed to be built on top of whatever this is - commited to by Amex in 2024 for a Centurion Lounge with an outdoor space - is both conspicuously missing from the outdoor render, yet that protrustion remains. As I don't believe it ever began construction, I wouldn't be surprised if that space still will house a lounge... Just maybe more integrated into this new hammer head than tacked on.

It is under construction - per google earth historical imaging from this June:

 

[BosDevelop]

It is under construction - per google earth historical imaging from this June:

I can confirm. The other night my flight pulled into the gate next to the ongoing construction and I could see it from the window. Site looked active.