You’re standing on the curb at Terminal B, your phone says the flight departs in two hours, and the line for security looks like it’s snaking halfway to Worcester. We’ve all been there. Boston Logan International Airport is a beast, honestly. It’s compact but dense, which means when things go sideways with wait times logan airport, they go sideways fast.
Most people think if they show up two hours early for a domestic flight, they’re golden. Usually? Yeah, sure. But Logan has these weird "micro-peaks" that can turn a 10-minute breeze into a 45-minute slog before you can even say "Dunkin'."
The Morning Madness and the Friday Peak
If you’re flying out on a Friday morning between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM, Godspeed. This is basically the "perfect storm" for Logan. You’ve got the business consultants heading to D.C. and Chicago, the college kids heading home for the weekend, and the vacationers trying to beat the traffic.
According to recent 2026 data, Fridays between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM actually represent the weekly peak for security wait times, often averaging nearly 30 minutes. That’s longer than any other window during the week.
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- The 5:00 AM Wave: If you think getting there at 5:00 AM makes you "early," you’re actually joining the first major surge of the day.
- The Mid-Day Lull: Want the secret? 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It’s like the airport breathes a collective sigh of relief.
- The Tuesday/Wednesday Sweet Spot: If you can swing it, mid-week travel is significantly faster. Security lines often drop to under 10 minutes.
Terminal Troubles: Not All Lines Are Equal
Logan isn't one big circle; it’s a collection of terminals that don't always play nice together.
Terminal B is often the biggest headache. Because it serves heavy hitters like American, United, and JetBlue, the volume is just relentless. You’ve got two different checkpoints here, and while you can reach all gates from either, one is almost always backed up worse than the other.
Terminal E is a different animal. This is the international hub. If you’re heading to London or Dublin in the evening, remember that the international rush starts around 4:00 PM and runs until 8:00 PM. TSA wait times here usually hover around 25-35 minutes during those hours. But here’s the kicker: the immigration wait times when you come back can be even worse. On a bad Sunday night, clearing customs in Terminal E can take 45 minutes or more if three jumbo jets land at the same time.
Construction Chaos in 2026
You might notice some orange cones. Okay, a lot of orange cones. Massport is currently in the middle of a massive modernization project.
They’re working on a new Terminal A-B connector which will eventually allow you to walk between terminals post-security. That’s great for the future, but right now, it means certain hallways are narrower and some escalators are out of commission.
The FAA also flagged a major runway safety project for 2026 involving Runway 9/27. While this mostly affects flight delays and "tarmac wait times," it has a trickle-down effect. When flights are delayed, the gates get crowded, and the security lines feel more frantic.
Hacks to Skip the Slog
Honestly, if you fly out of Logan more than twice a year and you don't have TSA PreCheck, what are you doing?
- TSA PreCheck & CLEAR: Both are available in Terminals A and B. PreCheck is usually a 5-minute affair, even when the standard line is out the door.
- The "Ticket to Skip": This is a Logan-specific hack. If you take the Logan Express bus from the suburbs (Back Bay, Framingham, etc.), you get a "Ticket to Skip" which puts you at the front of the security line. It’s basically legal line-cutting.
- The MyTSA App: Don't trust the overhead signs. Check the MyTSA app for crowdsourced, real-time data. It’s surprisingly accurate.
- Terminal C-E Link: If you’re flying JetBlue (Terminal C) but notice the security line is insane, you can sometimes use the connector to check in or move between C and E, though this depends on your specific gate.
The Reality of International Arrivals
Let’s talk about coming home. If you’re an American citizen, get Mobile Passport Control (MPC). It’s a free app. You skip the long line of people waiting for the kiosks and go to a dedicated lane. It’s faster than Global Entry sometimes, and it costs zero dollars.
For non-citizens or those without Global Entry, Terminal E on a summer Sunday is basically a test of human endurance. We've seen wait times hit 60 minutes during the July peak.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Flight
Don't just wing it. Follow this timeline to keep your blood pressure low:
- 3 Hours Out: Check the "FlyLogan" app for live parking status. The Central Garage fills up by 7:30 AM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays more often than you'd think.
- 2.5 Hours Out: If you're checking a bag at Terminal B or C, arrive now. The kiosks are fast, but the bag-drop lines are the new bottleneck.
- Check the Weather: A "nor'easter" or even a heavy summer thunderstorm can triple wait times logan airport because of de-icing or ground stops.
If you find yourself stuck, head to the new Terminal E Great Hall. It’s got decent food and actually feels like a modern airport instead of a basement from 1974. Pack your patience, get the apps, and maybe take the ferry if the Sumner Tunnel is acting up—it's the prettiest way to get to the terminal anyway.
Keep an eye on the official Massport "Better BOS" updates before you head out, as gate changes and temporary checkpoint closures are common throughout the 2026 construction phase.