Boston Logan International Airport Prepares for Busy Thanksgiving Holiday
BOSTON – 2012-11-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) is preparing for a busy Thanksgiving holiday at Boston Logan International Airport by introducing several new customer initiatives – a new mobile optimized Massport.com so people can check flight status, parking conditions and public transportation options from their smartphone or tablet device; Airport Wayfinder, a series of videos that are downloadable to mobile devices from the app store, free wifi at the cell phone waiting lot, and brand new energy efficient airport shuttle buses — to make navigating the airport easier and more convenient.
“Customer service is a top priority of Massport and whether you are driving to the airport, getting from one terminal to another, or picking up a family member, these new initiatives will make your life easier,’’ said Massport CEO and Executive Director Thomas Glynn. In 2011, some 868,000 passengers used Boston Logan during the Thanksgiving holiday period and Massport estimates a 1 percent increase this year.
Massport is encouraging passengers to arrive at Logan Airport a minimum of 2 ½ hours before a domestic flight and three hours for an international departure. Travelers should monitor www.flylogan.com for updated airline and airport information and to familiarize themselves with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) carry-on luggage regulations to help lessen delays at security checkpoints.
“Thanksgiving week is typically the busiest travel period as families travel for the holiday,” said Aviation Director Edward C. Freni. “To assist travelers and ease the anxiety of travel, Massport employees will be volunteering inside the terminals and curb-side areas to assist travelers and direct customers to their airline check-in and TSA security checkpoint during the days leading up to the holiday.”
For travelers driving to the airport, ample parking will be available and for travelers who do not wish to drive to Boston Logan, there are alternatives:
• Logan Express
Logan Express provides bus service every half hour between Logan Airport and Woburn, Braintree and Framingham, and hourly service between Logan and Peabody. Buses will be added to meet the anticipated increase in demand and maintain the posted schedule. Kids under 12 ride free.
• MBTA Blue and Silver Line Service
The MBTA Silver Line provides service between South Station and Logan’s terminals every 10 minutes. Outbound service from Logan Airport to the South Boston Seaport District and South Station is free. The MBTA Blue Line provides subway service between Boston and Airport Station. Massport provides free shuttle service to and from all terminals.
• Water Transportation:
Several water taxi companies provide on-call service to points throughout Downtown Boston from the Logan dock.
• Taxi Service:
Because of heavy holiday travel, travelers may experience longer than normal waits for taxi service departing Logan Airport, especially during peak periods immediately after the Thanksgiving holiday. Taxis are available at the arrival level of all terminals.
Massport recommends people meeting arriving passengers use Logan’s cell phone waiting lot to help reduce roadway and curb-side congestion. The lot is open 24 hours a day and is conveniently located just minutes from the terminals at the intersection of Hotel Drive and Service Road, near the airport Gulf Station. Drivers are asked to stay no longer than 30 minutes and to wait with their vehicles.
Boston Logan, 15 minutes from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 72 domestic and 31 international destinations and in 2011 handled 28.9 million passengers. Boston Logan is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety. Over the past decade, the airport spent $4.5 billion on a modernization program that includes new terminals, public transportation access, parking facilities, roadways and airport concessions, and has been transformed into a world-class 21st Century facility. The airport generates $7 billion in total economic impact each year.
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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities.
CONTACT: Richard Walsh or Matthew Brelis 617-568-3100