Quick Summary

  • Primary Update: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) features four operational passenger terminals arranged in a horseshoe loop around the Central Parking structure: Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminal E (International).
  • Transit Impact: Post-security pedestrian connectors link Terminal B, Terminal C, and Terminal E airside, enabling travelers to walk between these three terminals without clearing Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints again. Conversely, Terminal A remains completely isolated across the central roadway, requiring an exit from the sterile area, a landside shuttle bus or parking garage walk, and a full TSA re-screening.
  • Traveler Advice: Same-terminal domestic transfers require 40 to 45 minutes. Connections between Terminals B, C, and E using the airside walkways need 55 to 70 minutes. Any itineraries connecting to or from isolated Terminal A require 75 to 90 minutes. Inbound international travelers landing at Terminal E must retrieve checked baggage, clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection, drop luggage at airline transfer belts, and pass TSA screening, requiring an operational window of 90 to 120 minutes.

Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) serves as the primary aviation hub for New England, handling over 42 million travelers annually across domestic networks, transcontinental trunk routes, and extensive transatlantic services. Operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), Logan occupies an 2,400-acre footprint in East Boston. Its compact physical layout presents a distinct split in transfer logistics: modern airside connectors allow seamless post-security walking between three major terminals, while an isolated domestic terminal and mandatory U.S. international border controls introduce significant landside transfers.

Navigating connections at Boston Logan requires understanding which terminal pairs share secure airside walking corridors, when to utilize the complimentary 24/7 Massport on-airport shuttle bus fleet, and how international arrivals at Terminal E interact with domestic connecting flights operated by JetBlue, Delta, American, and United.

BOSTON LOGAN (BOS) AIRSIDE & LANDSIDE TRANSIT TOPOLOGY
     [ TERMINAL A ]
     - Main Concourse (A1-A11) & Satellite (A13-A22 via sub-tunnel)
     - Tenants: Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, WestJet
     - Status: COMPLETELY ISOLATED LANDSIDE (No airside bridge to B/C/E)

              |                                             ^
Landside Walk | Massport Shuttle Buses                      | Massport Shuttle Buses
 via Central  | (Routes 11, 22, 55, 88)                     | (Routes 11, 33, 55, 88)
 Parking      v                                             |

     [ CENTRAL PARKING GARAGE & MBTA AIRPORT TRANSIT HUB ]
     - Ground Transportation, Silver Line SL1, Blue Line Shuttle Connectors
     - Pedestrian Skybridges to All Terminals (Level 2 & Level 4)

              |                                             ^
              v                                             |

 ================================== AIRSIDE SECURE CONNECTOR CORRIDOR ===================================
 |                                                                                                      |
 |   [ TERMINAL B ]  <======== Airside Connector ========>  [ TERMINAL C ]  <==== Airside Bridge ====>  [ TERMINAL E ]
 |   - Gates B1-B38                                         - Gates C11-C42                             - Gates E1-E16
 |   - American, United,                                    - JetBlue Main Hub,                         - Foreign Flags,
 |     Southwest, Air Canada,                                 Aer Lingus dep,                             CBP FIS Hall,
 |     Spirit Airlines                                        Cape Air, TAP dep                           Delta Intl Arr.
 |                                                                                                      |
 ========================================================================================================

Terminal Complex Architecture and Airline Allocations

Logan operates four terminals designated alphabetically. Terminal D was historically merged into Terminals C and E during modernization, leaving four operational facilities.

1. Terminal A (Delta Hub and WestJet)

Terminal A operates as a dedicated fortress facility for Delta Air Lines, Delta Connection, and Canadian partner WestJet. The facility consists of two distinct structures:

  • Main Terminal (Gates A1–A11): Houses passenger check-in desks, baggage claim, TSA security checkpoints, and a Delta Sky Club.
  • Satellite Concourse (Gates A13–A22): Connected to the Main Terminal via an 800-foot underground pedestrian tunnel equipped with continuous moving walkways. A second Delta Sky Club operates on the satellite mezzanine.
  • The Terminal A Isolation Factor: Terminal A is situated on the southern perimeter of the airport road network and has no airside link to Terminals B, C, or E. Any connection between Terminal A and another terminal requires clearing out of the TSA secure zone, transiting landside, and undergoing full security screening at the onward terminal.

2. Terminal B (American, United, Southwest, Air Canada, Spirit)

Terminal B serves major non-aligned domestic carriers and Star Alliance domestic services. Historically separated into independent North and South piers, a comprehensive consolidation created a single continuous facility:

  • Gates B1 through B38: Arranged in a continuous sweeping arc. American Airlines anchors the northern gates alongside a dedicated Admirals Club, while United Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Air Canada occupy the central and southern concourses alongside a United Club.
  • Terminal B-to-C Post-Security Connector: An enclosed pedestrian connector corridor links Terminal B near Gate B38 directly into the Terminal C concourse near Gate C11. Passengers can walk between American/United/Southwest gates and JetBlue gates without passing through a security checkpoint.

3. Terminal C (JetBlue Primary Focus City and Cape Air)

Terminal C serves as the operational home of JetBlue Airways, representing the carrier’s major northeastern focus city alongside regional commuter airline Cape Air.

  • Gates C11 through C42: Arranged across multiple sub-piers centered around a main retail and dining atrium.
  • Airside Connectivity: Terminal C acts as the central pivot of Logan’s airside secure walkway network. Turning south leads across the connector to Terminal B (Gates B1–B38). Turning northeast leads through the post-security connector directly into Terminal E (Gates E1–E16).

4. Terminal E (Volpe International Terminal)

Terminal E is the designated gateway for all international non-precleared arrivals into Boston. It features an eye-catching red roof design and an expanded departures wing with sweeping views of Boston Harbor.

  • Gates E1 through E16: Handles international departures and non-precleared arrivals for British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Swiss, Turkish Airlines, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, SAS, Icelandair, Porter Airlines, and Azores Airlines. It also accommodates select international departures for Delta Air Lines and JetBlue.
  • Federal Inspection Services (FIS): The ground level houses the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection hall, Global Entry kiosks, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) processing lanes, and dedicated airline baggage re-check desks.

Post-Security Walkways vs. Landside Massport Shuttles

Choosing the fastest transit route at Boston Logan depends strictly on your arrival and departure terminal pair.

BOSTON LOGAN INTER-TERMINAL TRANSIT MATRIX
Terminal Pair                    | Recommended Route               | Mode of Transit                | Security Status         | Transit Time

Terminal B <-> Terminal C        | Airside Connector               | Indoor Post-Security Walkway   | No Security Re-check    | 6 - 10 minutes
Terminal C <-> Terminal E        | Airside Connector               | Indoor Post-Security Walkway   | No Security Re-check    | 7 - 12 minutes
Terminal B <-> Terminal E        | Airside Connectors via C        | Indoor Post-Security Walkway   | No Security Re-check    | 14 - 22 minutes
Terminal A <-> Terminal B        | Landside Shuttle or Garage Walk | Massport Bus 22 or Walkway     | Mandatory TSA Re-check  | 15 - 25 minutes
Terminal A <-> Terminal C        | Landside Shuttle or Garage Walk | Massport Bus 11/55 or Walkway  | Mandatory TSA Re-check  | 18 - 28 minutes
Terminal A <-> Terminal E        | Landside Shuttle Bus            | Massport Bus 11/55             | Mandatory TSA Re-check  | 20 - 30 minutes
Term. E (Intl Arr) -> Term. B/C  | CBP -> Airside Walkway or Bus   | Re-clear TSA E or Ride Bus     | Mandatory TSA Re-check  | 25 - 40 minutes
Term. E (Intl Arr) -> Term. A    | CBP -> Massport Shuttle Bus     | Massport Bus 11/55             | Mandatory TSA Re-check  | 30 - 45 minutes

The Post-Security Airside Corridor (B - C - E)

Travelers whose journey involves any combination of Terminals B, C, and E do not need to exit security if they have already cleared TSA or arrived on a domestic flight.

  • Navigating B to C: Follow airport signage toward Gate B38. Pass through the glass-enclosed connector corridor equipped with moving walkways to enter Terminal C adjacent to Gate C11.
  • Navigating C to E: Follow signage toward Gate C42. Transition through the wide pedestrian connector to enter the Terminal E departures hall.
  • Navigating B to E: Walk continuously through Terminal C. The total walking distance between the far end of Terminal B (Gate B1) and the far end of Terminal E (Gate E16) is roughly 0.8 miles (1.3 km), taking approximately 18 to 22 minutes at a brisk pace. Wheelchair assistance and electric cart services are available via airline customer service desks.

Landside Massport On-Airport Shuttle Buses

Passengers transferring to or from isolated Terminal A, or arriving international passengers who prefer curbside transit, can board Massport's fleet of clean-fuel shuttle buses. Buses operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and stop outside the baggage claim level of each terminal at marked curb islands.

  • Route 11: Operates between all terminals (A, B, C, E) and the MBTA Blue Line Airport Station daily between 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
  • Route 22: Operates a continuous loop serving Terminal A, Terminal B, Airport Station, and the Consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC).
  • Route 33: Operates a continuous loop serving Terminal C, Terminal E, Airport Station, and the Consolidated Rental Car Center (RCC).
  • Route 55: Runs during early morning and late-night off-peak periods, providing combined service connecting all terminals, Airport Station, and the Rental Car Center.
  • Route 66: Connects all passenger terminals directly to the Logan Water Transportation Dock for travelers boarding the MBTA Water Ferry or private water taxis to downtown Boston.
  • Route 88: Transits all terminals to and from the Economy Parking Garage.

Buses arrive every 5 to 6 minutes during peak hours (6:00 AM to 9:00 PM) and every 10 to 15 minutes overnight. Riding the shuttle between adjacent terminals takes 4 to 8 minutes, but navigating the full roadway loop from Terminal E to Terminal A can take up to 15 minutes in heavy curbside traffic.

Central Parking Pedestrian Skybridges

For travelers transferring landside who prefer walking rather than waiting for buses, climate-controlled elevated skybridges connect the second and fourth levels of every terminal into the Central Parking Garage. Moving walkways span each corridor. Traversing through the Central Parking hub from Terminal A to Terminal B or C takes 10 to 15 minutes on foot.

Minimum Connection Times (MCT) and Operational Buffers

Massport and operating airlines publish standard minimum connection times for ticketed itineraries. However, realistic connection buffers must account for gate deplaning delays, peak-period security checkpoint queues, and international customs processing.

| Connection Category | Official Published MCT | Recommended Safe Buffer | Key Operational Factors |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Domestic to Domestic (Same Terminal)** | 35 - 40 minutes | 45 - 50 minutes | Deplaning from regional jets; single concourse walk |
| **Domestic to Domestic (Terminal B <-> C)** | 45 - 50 minutes | 60 minutes | Post-security walking connector (8-12 min walk) |
| **Domestic to Domestic (Terminal A <-> B/C)** | 60 - 75 minutes | 80 - 90 minutes | Landside shuttle transfer + complete TSA re-screening |
| **Domestic to International (Term. B/C -> E)** | 50 - 60 minutes | 75 minutes | Airside connector walk; boarding closes 15-20 min prior |
| **Domestic to International (Term. A -> E)** | 75 minutes | 90 - 105 minutes | Shuttle ride + TSA screening at Terminal E checkpoint |
| **International to Domestic (Precleared)** | 50 - 60 minutes | 65 - 75 minutes | Arrives as domestic flight (e.g., Dublin, Canada) |
| **International to Domestic (Non-Precleared)** | 90 minutes | 120 - 150 minutes | CBP inspection + baggage retrieval + re-check + TSA |
| **Separate Tickets / Self-Transfer** | Not Protected | 180 minutes | Luggage re-claim + landside transfer + check-in cutoff |

International Arrivals at Terminal E: CBP and Baggage Rules

Arriving in Boston on an international flight from outside the United States requires adherence to federal statutory processing requirements. The United States does not maintain sterile international transit lounges; every passenger arriving on a non-precleared flight must legally enter the United States.

The Federal Inspection Services (FIS) Process

  1. Disembarkation: Passengers exit the aircraft directly into secure glass-walled sterile arrival corridors on the upper level of Terminal E, leading downward into the CBP inspection hall.
  2. Passport Control: Travelers enter dedicated queues based on citizenship and documentation status:
    • U.S. Citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and Canadian Visitors.
    • Global Entry members (automated facial recognition kiosks with zero paper slips).
    • Mobile Passport Control (MPC) users (free CBP smartphone application with dedicated priority lanes).
    • Foreign Visitors with B1/B2 visas, ESTA approvals, or student/work visas.
  3. Mandatory Baggage Retrieval: After passport verification, all arriving passengers must proceed to the baggage claim carousels inside the customs hall. Regardless of whether luggage tags display an ultimate domestic destination (such as Chicago, Los Angeles, or Washington), every passenger must physically claim all checked baggage.
  4. Customs Clearance: Travelers proceed with their baggage past the CBP exit checkpoint. Any items subject to agricultural declaration, currency in excess of $10,000 USD, or duty-free goods exceeding federal limits must be declared to inspection officers.
  5. Airline Re-Check Desks: Immediately after clearing the final customs exit doors, passengers holding through-ticketed boarding passes for onward domestic flights turn toward the dedicated airline baggage re-check counters. Re-check staff scan and place tagged luggage directly onto airport induction belts for transfer to Delta, JetBlue, American, or United.

Transitioning to Your Domestic Gate

Once bags are handed over at the re-check desk, passengers choose their path based on departing terminal:

  • Connecting from Terminal E (International) or Terminal C (JetBlue): Ascend the escalators to the Terminal E departures level. Enter the TSA security checkpoint. Once through security, board flights departing Terminal E gates directly, or walk through the post-security connector into Terminal C.
  • Connecting from Terminal B (American/United/Southwest): You can clear security at Terminal E and walk airside through Terminal C to Terminal B (15–20 minutes), or walk out to the curb, board Massport Shuttle Bus Route 11, and clear security directly at Terminal B.
  • Connecting from Terminal A (Delta): Exit Terminal E to the arrivals curb. Board Massport Shuttle Bus Route 11 or Route 55 to Terminal A. Enter the Terminal A departures lobby and clear the primary TSA security checkpoint.

Traveler Logistics Guide

Navigating a tight connection at Boston Logan requires strict adherence to practical checkpoints and terminal geography.

Terminal Transfer Checklists

  • Check Your Inbound Gate Before Deplaning: Open your airline’s mobile application while taxiing to verify your arrival gate and connecting departure gate.
  • Verify Through-Ticketing Status: Confirm with your initial check-in agent whether your baggage has been interlined to your final destination. On separate tickets purchased across non-partner airlines, baggage will not transfer automatically.
  • Download Mobile Passport Control (MPC): Travelers without Global Entry should configure the CBP MPC app before landing in Boston. The dedicated MPC queue at Terminal E consistently saves 20 to 45 minutes during peak international arrival banks (2:00 PM to 7:00 PM).
  • Monitor Boarding Gate Closes: Domestic departures close boarding doors strictly 15 minutes before scheduled pushback; international departures close doors 20 minutes prior.

Self-Transfer and Separate Ticket Protocols

Travelers connecting across independent tickets (e.g., landing on British Airways at Terminal E and departing on Southwest Airlines at Terminal B, or landing on Lufthansa and departing on Delta at Terminal A) must follow strict self-transfer protocols:

  1. You cannot use the airline transfer luggage belts outside Terminal E customs.
  2. You must haul all checked bags onto the Massport Shuttle Bus (or walk via Central Parking skybridges) to your onward carrier’s terminal.
  3. You must present your bags at the domestic airline check-in desk prior to the strict baggage drop cutoff—typically 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes for flights departing from Terminal A or B.
  4. Allow a minimum self-transfer window of 3 hours to absorb any flight delays, baggage claim waits, and TSA security queues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk between terminals at Boston Logan without exiting security?

Yes, but only between Terminals B, C, and E. Massport operates fully enclosed, post-security pedestrian connectors linking Terminal B (American, United, Southwest) to Terminal C (JetBlue), and Terminal C to Terminal E (International). You can walk between any gates in these three terminals without clearing TSA security again. However, Terminal A is entirely disconnected; transfers to or from Terminal A require exiting to the landside area and passing through TSA screening at the destination terminal.

How do I get from Terminal E to Terminal A at Boston Logan?

Because there is no post-security airside pathway to Terminal A, you must exit Terminal E to the ground transportation arrivals curb and board the free Massport Shuttle Bus (Route 11 or Route 55). The shuttle bus drops passengers directly outside Terminal A departures/arrivals. Alternatively, you can take the pedestrian skybridge from Terminal E through the Central Parking Garage to Terminal A (an indoor 12-to-15-minute walk). You must then clear TSA security at Terminal A.

Do I have to pick up my luggage during an international layover at Boston Logan?

Yes. Under United States federal regulations, all passengers arriving on international flights from abroad (excluding those originating at airports with U.S. Border Preclearance facilities, such as Dublin, Shannon, Aruba, Bermuda, Nassau, and major Canadian gateways) must retrieve all checked baggage at the Terminal E CBP baggage carousels and clear U.S. customs. If your onward flight is on the same ticket, you immediately hand your luggage to airline agents at the transfer re-check desks located right outside the customs exit doors before proceeding to security.

How much time do I need for a layover at Boston Logan?

For single-ticket domestic connections within the same terminal or between Terminals B and C, a 50-to-60-minute window is sufficient. Connections involving isolated Terminal A require at least 75 to 90 minutes. For international arrivals landing at Terminal E and connecting to a domestic flight, budget a minimum of 90 to 120 minutes to accommodate passport control, baggage reclamation, customs clearance, and TSA screening. If traveling on separate tickets with checked bags, reserve at least 3 hours.