Many airports have already wrapped up their holiday entertainment and activities, but Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) still has some fun underway.
Selfie stations in Terminals B and C invite passengers to pose in a ski gondola, the Boston Common Frog Pond, a sleigh, various Boston neighborhoods and a decorated cabin living room.
For last-minute travelers (and shoppers), BOS’s complimentary holiday gift wrap stations operate through Tuesday, December 24 from 10 am to 6 pm in Terminals B and E. Each passenger can get up to five packages wrapped for free.
Holiday entertainment continues through Tuesday, December 23 and last minute shoppers who purchase gifts totaling $75 or more at Boston Logan Shops through December 24th will receive a free gift with purchase.
And, through January 7, 2025, anyone who orders food ahead for pickup food using the BOS2GO service online or in the app will receive 25% off their order.
The uptick in air travel brings with it an uptick in airport security wait times. So airports around the country are getting creative in testing new ways to keep those lines from getting out of hand.
BREAKING: @TSA screened 2,028,961 individuals at airport security checkpoints yesterday, June 11. It is the first time throughput topped 2M since the start of the pandemic. The last time checkpoint volume was above 2M was 15 months ago, on March 7, 2020. https://t.co/Fp5cBJAjm8
— Lisa Farbstein, TSA Spokesperson (@TSA_Northeast) June 12, 2021
The “virtual queuing” test at SEA runs through August 31, 20201 from 4 a.m. to noon (the airport’s peak travel period). The program gives passengers who have neither TSA Pre-Check nor CLEAR memberships a way to streamline their security checkpoint experience by getting an appointment time (with a 15-minute window) to access the security line.
There is no fee to use the program, which is set up at two SEA checkpoints and open to all passengers.
At Boston Logan, the test is running through July 7 in Terminal B, from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The program at BOS is in partnership with the accesso, a company that provides virtual queuing for theme parks and attractions around the world. At BOS, the Virtual Security Line lets passengers use their mobile devices to reserve a spot in the line. They are then notified (with a countdown clock) when it is their time to approach the checkpoint, get their QR code scanned, and enter the checkpoint line.
We hope these test programs work out and convince these and other airports to make virtual cueing for checkpoint times a permanent amenity.
In the meantime, keep in mind that security checkpoint lines are usually longer in the summer. But now we have physical distancing, out-of-practice travelers, and lots more nervous travelers, so be sure to pack your patience when you head to the airport now.
Keep in mind that some of amenities may be currently unavailable due to health concerns. We’re confident they’ll be back.
If we missed something you love about Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), please leave a note in the comments section below.
And if you have a suggestion for the next airport to be featured in our “5 Things We Love About…” series, we want to know!
BOS: 5 Things We Love About Boston Logan International Airport
“Flybe” by Jacob Kulin
1. Art at Boston Logan Int’l Airport
The public art program at BOS features both permanent pieces and temporary exhibitions and includes the Sports Wall, which celebrates sports championships and the Boston “T” Party exhibit, which invites travelers to take selfies and, of course, share them.
2. Rocking Chairs at BOS
Like many other airports now, Boston Logan International Airport has rocking chairs scattered about. Here, some of the rocking chairs are plain white while others are painted by artists.
3. Shopping at Boston Logan Int’l Airport
We love shopping for souvenirs at Boston Logan International Airport.
In addition to all the fun Boston-centric and lobster-themed gifts available, it is also possible to pick up live lobsters to-go at Legal Sea Foods. (Although this is one of the amenities temporarily unavailable due to COVID concerns.)
4. Family Friendly amenities at BOS
BOS has nursing pods in each terminal and Kidport play spaces in several terminals.
If your kids (or you) can’t sit still in a restaurant or can’t agree on what kind of food to eat, Boston Logan is one of the airports where you can have AtYourGate deliver food to you from eateries across all terminals.
5. The 9/11 Memorial at BOS
The Logan Airport 9/11 Memorial at Boston Logan International Airport honors the passengers and crews of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175. These two planes departed Logan Airport for Los Angeles on September 11, 2001 and were hijacked by terrorists who flew them into the World Trade Towers in New York.
The memorial was dedicated on September 9, 2008 and is 20-by-20-foot glass cube that glows with a soft light at night. Inside the cube are two glass panels etched with the names of the people who were on each flight.
The memorial is in a small, park-like area between Terminal A and the Hilton Boston Logan Airport and is open 24 hours.
Restaurants, shops, bars, schools and offices in many communities are closed.
But airports? For now, they’re open.
Although activities in and around the terminals are different, with far fewer passengers and flights than normal.
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has opened its garages to free parking. And posting a list of which dining, shopping and service locations are open.
Reminder: #PHLairport is open. For a list of open dining, shopping and service locations, visit https://t.co/X3Mt8fD9Ut. Parking in PHL lots and garages is free- the economy lot is closed and the AAdvantage Aviator MasterCard lot is available to cardholders only. pic.twitter.com/Y6WGilxxyc
We'll continue to follow the guidance of health and government officials to make our dining options as safe and healthy as possible. Thank you for your patience as we navigate the ongoing situation. For restaurants offering takeout and grab-and-go options: https://t.co/xk6Pl7yvchpic.twitter.com/XiCUiTrl2w
— Boston Logan International Airport (@BostonLogan) March 17, 2020
At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), all restaurants are open for now, but many with reduced hours. Bars are closed. And, as with restaurants in many cities, service is take-out only.
As guidance for social distancing strengthens, our dining and retail tenants are adjusting operations to protect your health and safety. Here are the restaurants open for grab-and-go food options: https://t.co/8VHEepvoAEpic.twitter.com/IVyTHX7eN7
Good morning #Atlanta, We are up and running! If you are traveling today, please use @TSA's Domestic Main Checkpoint and International Arrivals. Safe travels! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/JB42VueGrY
As with everything else in the world right now, situations are changing. So if you’re headed to an airport, check ahead.
Our shops and food vendors may change operating hours or suspend service if there's a decrease in passenger demand at this time. The Governor's Executive Order also applies to food and beverage locations at our airport. We remain open and operational. https://t.co/5VR8XnnQ5z
A reminder following @GovSisolak’s remarks earlier this evening: @LASairport provides essential transportation services and will remain open to serve the state’s travelers and cargo operations. https://t.co/BIOg3dKIHl
— Harry Reid International Airport (@LASairport) March 18, 2020
We are committed to keeping our travelers informed as schedules and services are modified due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Please see the following update from our restaurant partners. pic.twitter.com/ZNQd6oiF0I
Carry-out & Grab-n-Go food options available (post-security) at Coolgreens, Schlotzsky’s, Cinnabon, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Tucker’s Onion Burgers and retail locations. Locations may be operating at reduced hours. Vending is available next to The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. (2/3) pic.twitter.com/4qBhuvUBbk
— Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) (@fly_okc) March 18, 2020
Don’t believe the rumors. @PATHTrain, @PABusTerminal, @GWBBusStation, our airports, and bridges and tunnels remain open and ready to move essential workers like healthcare professionals. For updated info, follow @PANYNJ. Thanks for your continued patience and support. pic.twitter.com/9DigJIQyNT
And, on Wednesday morning, not long after an earthquake was reported near Salt Lake City, the airport tweeted this:
The airport is not currently operational. The FAA tower, terminals and concourses have been evacuated. The road to the airport has been opened, so that passengers can be picked-up.
At many airports, curbside pick-up is moving away from the curb.
On October 29, Los Angeles International joins the growing list of
airports where curbside traffic has gotten so bad that taxis and ride-hailing
services such as Uber to Lyft are no longer permitted to pick up at passengers
at the curb.
“We have heard from our
guests that the current system with ride pickups can be frustrating.” “said
Keith Wilschetz, Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Emergency
Management at Los Angeles World Airports, said in a statement
“Frustrating” is a polite
way of describing how excruciating and time-consuming using a ride-app at LAX
can be.
During peak times, app users
now often spend upwards of 45 minutes to an hour between waiting for their ride
to arrive curbside and sitting in traffic to get out of the Central Terminal
Area.
“That’s if the drive doesn’t
cancel on you,” said LAX spokesman Heath Montgomery.
At LAX, bad curbside traffic is about to get worse as the airport construction associated with terminal redevelopment and the new automated people mover begins.
“We will be losing more than 30% of our curb front, so doing nothing is
not an option,” said Montgomery.
The solution at LAX is to move the pick-up area for both taxi and ride app users away from the
terminal curbsides entirely to a new area, dubbed “LAX-it,” just east of
Terminal 1.
Passengers will be able to
walk to the new pick-up area from some of the terminals and a shuttle will
pick-up passengers at all terminals in a dedicated lane on the lower/arrivals
level lane.
LAX officials say getting from the airport to the pick-up lot should be
no more than 15 minutes (from most terminals) and exiting the terminal should
be faster because drivers no longer must battle backups in the Central Terminal
Area.
Once it rolls out on October 29, the LAX-it system will no doubt need
some tweaks.
For now, some passengers are worried the new system will be confusing
and pick-up time will be no shorter than it is now. In a statement, Lyft said
it looks forward to working with LAX on providing “the best possible pick-up
and drop-off experience for all users,” but Uber outlined its long list of concerns
with the plan in a letter to airport officials.
How do other airports tackle curbside congestion?
Back in 2016, Seattle Tacoma International Airport
worked with ride-app providers to move pick-ups inside the airport parking
garage, adjacent to space set already aside for other commercial ground
transportation operators.
“We have since made traffic flow process
improvements,” said SEA spokeswoman Kate Hudson, “We’re lucky in Washington
state that cars must have front and near license plates as it allows passengers
to locate their vehicle from both angles.”
The Port of Seattle staffs the ride-app pick-up area and
contracts for additional ambassadors during peak times.
With a goal of diverting at least 45% of ride-hailing pick-up
activity away from the terminal roadways, in summer 2018 San Francisco International Airport relocated pickups for Uber Pool,
Express Pool and Lyft’s shared categories to the Domestic Parking Garage. And in March 2019, Uber X and Lyft offered their customers the option to
be picked up in the Airport’s Domestic Hourly Garage at $3 less than the
curbside rate.
“To date, these
measures have only shifted about 21% of [ride-hailed] pickup activity off the
terminal roadways, falling short of the 45% diversion rate,” said SFO spokesman
Doug Yakel, so as of June 5, 2019 SFO relocated all domestic terminal pickups
for ride-apps, including Uber, Lyft, and Wingz, from the curbside to the 5th
floor of the Domestic Hourly Parking Garage.
In mid-November 2018, Austin-Bergstrom
International Airport (AUS) moved the pick-up area for all taxis
and ride-app companies to the ground level of the airport’s Rental Car
Facility.
“In the new space, dedicated taxi lanes are to the immediate
left, while three ride share pick-up lanes are on the right,” said AUS spokesman
Bryce Dubee, “The three ride share lanes are color-coded in blue, red and
yellow with corresponding numbers 1-4 so that both passengers and drivers have
a specific spot to meet up.”
The overall walking distance is about 750 feet, so before the
switch was made the airport purchase four ADA-compliant 12-passenger electric
shuttles to provide transport between lower-level locations and also leased an
electric autonomous vehicle to transport passengers on the upper level of the
garage.
Looking ahead, at the end of this month, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) will move both pick-ups and drop-offs for app ride passengers to new dedicated curb areas.
“The new areas – conveniently located in the Central Parking – will be protected from the weather, brightly lit, and connected to all terminals via moving walkways,” said BOS spokeswoman Samantha Decker. “The new areas will also provide all the services passengers expect, including luggage carts, wheelchair services, and bag check service.”
(My story about airports relocating pick-up spots for Uber, Lyft, Wingz and taxis first appeared on USA TODAY)