Boston Logan quietly opened its international terminal expansion — here's a look inside
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) opened the long-awaited expansion of its international terminal on Tuesday, adding four new gates and a spacious, airy terminal area for passengers. It also added a brand new, top-tier Delta Sky Club lounge.
Despite the years of anticipation over the Terminal E expansion, Tuesday's opening saw little fanfare. The new gates were abruptly put into use and barriers were removed from the hallway connecting the existing terminal and the new building. In fact, the only thing that would let a casual traveler know that something was new — if they happened to glance up a set of stairs — was the ribbon cutting at the Sky Club at exactly 1:30 p.m., as the terminal extension officially opened.
A spokesperson for Massport, the state-controlled authority that oversees the airport, told TPG that it was waiting to make an official opening announcement until this fall, noting that the addition was still missing some concessions and a public display. (A new TSA checkpoint has also not yet opened.)
Nevertheless, the terminal extension is open to passengers, and the new gates are in use. Any ticketed passenger passing through Terminal E — or walking over from the connected Terminals B or C — can take a look at the area.
So that's exactly what this reporter did before a flight on Thursday morning.
Even with the soft launch, the new terminal area is strikingly different from its older section down the hall. For travelers more familiar with Logan, the new gates will already offer a much-needed relief valve and a figurative breath of fresh air.
First announced in 2018, the extension was originally intended to add seven new gates to the 12 existing ones. Revenue loss during the pandemic led to budget cuts, with the project's scope reduced to include four new gates. Massport said earlier this year that three more gates could be added to the extension at a later point.
From the outside, the new building connects abruptly to the existing terminal with a conspicuously different design. At once both futuristic and retro, the exterior evokes both a flying saucer and the famous 1960s TWA terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The deep, bright red color is unique to the terminal and patented by the building's architect, Luis Vidal, as "Boston Red," according to an interview earlier this year in The Boston Globe.
Inside, the extension is just as strikingly different from the original terminal.
The older building is perfectly serviceable but is showing its age and limitations. The terminal opened in the mid-1970s to serve 10 international airlines and 1.5 million international passengers, according to the Globe.
However, more than two dozen airlines use that terminal now, with more than four times as many passengers.
As a result, the original dozen gates can feel crowded, even spread across three distinct wings. Although the airport often does a good job of staggering departures across the 12 gates to avoid any area becoming too packed, congestion is occasionally inevitable.
Lower ceilings and a lack of natural light through much of the terminal — even though there are windows through much of the hallway — only enhance the occasional claustrophobic feeling. Also, insufficient amenities like restaurants and bars can make a long wait to board feel endless.
The new addition, however, manages to strike a different note. The ceilings are high, and huge floor-to-ceiling windows face the airfield, letting in plenty of light before sunset. Plus, there are plenty of seats near the gates.
Really, the airfield views are excellent.
A large duty-free shop in the center of the hallway near gate 13, at the end of the wing closest to the original terminal, takes up a lot of space, detracting from the overall feeling.
Still, there are plenty of seats and tables in the center of that hall. While there are not currently any new restaurants open, signs and construction walls mark where they're coming — set into the wall, against the windows and in the terminal.
A new Legal Sea Foods is practically a prerequisite for every gate area at Logan, while an expansive bar from Boston Harbor Distillery looks promising. Coffee shops and stores are also in the works.
Separate from the various restaurants and stores, plenty of seats are available near the gates, many of which are equipped with power outlets.
Meanwhile, the Delta Air Lines lounge is a major improvement for SkyTeam travelers, especially for Delta flyers — TPG had the chance to see the lounge earlier in the week.
Delta moved its international departures to Terminal E last year, which allowed it to turn planes around faster. Previously, Delta — like United Airlines and American Airlines — would drop off international passengers at Terminal E, which has a passport control station. It would then ferry the aircraft to its normal terminal.
When Delta moved the departures, it opened a temporary "Express" concept Sky Club in the terminal, promising an eventual permanent location.
That lounge opened along with the terminal on Tuesday, and it's the only lounge in the new extension, suggesting that Delta's international flights will primarily depart from the new gates.
Air France, British Airways, Emirates and Lufthansa operate lounges in the original terminal, while a Virgin Atlantic lounge is currently closed. Delta's managing director of Sky Clubs, Claude Roussel, told TPG that Virgin Atlantic premium passengers would have access to the Sky Club.
The degree to which the new gates can help with the crowding remains to be seen as the terminal extensions help BOS finish out the summer travel season, and as the remaining amenities are finalized and opened.
Nevertheless, the 33% increase in gate capacity can only be good news for an airport that is increasingly serving as an international gateway to the U.S.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.