Logan Airport tests new technology to predict TSA checkpoint waits and reduce terminal congestion

A push for more predictable security screening

Boston Logan International Airport is testing new technology intended to give travelers clearer, earlier signals about how long Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening lines will take, as airport and federal officials look for ways to reduce congestion and make peak travel periods more manageable.

Massport, which operates Logan, already tracks checkpoint conditions with TSA and recommends passengers arrive two hours before domestic departures and three hours before international flights. The new effort focuses less on changing screening rules and more on improving how quickly travelers can understand real-time conditions before they reach a terminal.

What is being tested—and what it is not

The initiative is aimed at wait-time visibility: measuring queue length and translating that information into estimates that can be communicated to the public. Airports have increasingly sought to convert line conditions into time predictions by combining operational inputs—such as passenger volume surges tied to flight schedules—with observations at key choke points near checkpoint entrances.

This testing does not replace TSA screening requirements, nor does it eliminate the need for passengers to have acceptable identification, boarding passes, and properly packed carry-on items. TSA continues to operate all security checkpoints at Logan, including dedicated TSA PreCheck screening in every terminal and separate CLEAR entry options in Terminals A and B.

How the technology fits into broader Logan planning

The wait-time test comes as Massport evaluates multiple approaches to lowering pressure on terminal checkpoints. One proposal in development would move some screening activity off airport property by creating a “remote terminal” concept at a Logan Express location in Framingham. Under that plan, travelers would complete TSA screening and, if needed, check bags at the bus site before riding a controlled, secure transfer directly to the airside portion of Logan.

The remote-screening pilot has been described as a limited summer program concept, with operational details such as reservations and scheduled departures designed to keep passenger flows predictable. It would still require TSA approval and oversight.

What travelers should expect during the trial

Massport’s goal is to reduce uncertainty—particularly on mornings and during holiday travel—by giving passengers earlier, more accurate expectations for how long screening may take. Even with improved forecasting, actual wait times can shift quickly due to staffing changes, passenger surges, and irregular operations.

• All Logan terminals (A, B, C, and E) have TSA-operated checkpoints.
• Checkpoint opening times vary by terminal and typically align with early departures.
• TSA PreCheck is available in all terminals; CLEAR is available in Terminals A and B.

For passengers, the practical impact will hinge on whether estimates are updated frequently enough to reflect rapid changes—especially during compressed travel windows when a 10- to 20-minute swing can affect check-in, bag drop, and gate arrival.

Massport has signaled that data collection and performance during the test period will determine whether the approach expands and how it integrates with other congestion-reduction plans.