Boston's Logan Airport: Island Or Peninsula?

is logan airport on an island

Boston Logan International Airport, commonly known as Logan Airport, is located in East Boston. The airport was opened on September 8, 1923, and was initially used by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps. Over the years, Logan Airport has expanded significantly, adding terminals and runways to accommodate increasing air traffic. This expansion has not come without controversy, as it has involved the removal of residential areas and recreational spaces, such as Wood Island Park. Today, Logan Airport serves over 9 million international passengers and offers direct flights to numerous domestic and international destinations.

Characteristics Values
Location East Boston
Opening Date September 8, 1923
Original Name Boston Air Port
Current Name Logan International Airport
Named After Edward Lawrence Logan
Owner Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport)
No. of Terminals 4
No. of Gates 107
Area 1,700 acres
No. of Passengers 38.4 million
Population of Location 45,000
Area of Location 5 square miles

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Logan Airport's location and expansion

Logan International Airport, also known as General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The airport is situated in East Boston and partially in Winthrop, on Boston Harbour. It is 2.5 miles (4.0 km) northeast of Back Bay and is accessible from various highways, including Route 1A, I-93, and I-90/Massachusetts Turnpike.

Logan Airport was opened on September 8, 1923, and was initially utilised primarily by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps. It was originally known as "Boston Air Port" and was located at Jeffries Point. The airport has since expanded significantly, particularly during the 1940s and 1950s when it added 1,800 acres of landfill in Boston Harbour, taken from former islands in the area. This expansion also included the addition of terminals B and C, which are still in use today.

The airport has continued to expand and modernise its facilities to accommodate the growing number of international travellers. Between 1974 and 2015, the number of international travellers at Logan tripled, driving the need for further development. From 1994 to 2006, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) undertook the "Logan Modernization Project," which included a range of improvements such as a new parking garage, a hotel, moving walkways, terminal expansions, and two-tiered roadways to separate arrival and departure traffic.

Massport has also been involved in several community engagement projects, including the development of Piers Park II, a 4.5-acre fully accessible park on the waterfront in East Boston. This project was a collaboration between Massport and the local community, providing valuable recreational space.

More recently, in 2019, Massport commenced another expansion project for Terminal E, which was completed in August 2023. This project added new international gates, flexible-use gates, and enhanced various passenger services and facilities, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Logan International Airport continues to be a significant hub for international travel, serving over 8-9 million international passengers by 2023-24.

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Environmental impact

Logan International Airport, also known as Boston Logan International Airport, is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The airport has been in operation since 1923 and has undergone several expansions and improvements since then.

The environmental impact of Logan Airport has been a significant area of focus for the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), which has implemented various initiatives and projects to mitigate and reduce any adverse effects.

One of the key areas of concern has been the airport's impact on Boston Harbor. During the 1940s and 1950s, the airport expanded by adding approximately 1,800 acres of landfill in Boston Harbor, which included land from former islands. This expansion led to the loss of a popular fishing area and recreational spaces, impacting the surrounding communities and the natural environment.

To address these concerns, Massport has committed to finding sustainable ways to conduct business and has implemented various environmental initiatives. The airport produces annual Environmental Data Reports (EDRs) and Environmental Status and Planning Reports (ESPRs) every five years, which provide updates and analysis of the airport's operations, passenger numbers, and cumulative environmental impacts. These reports cover areas such as ground transportation, aircraft noise, air quality, and regional transportation.

Massport has also taken steps to improve the airport's sustainability and reduce its environmental footprint. For example, the current Terminal A features environmentally friendly designs, including heat-reflecting roofs and windows, low-flow faucets, waterless urinals, self-dimming lights, and stormwater filtration systems. This building is the first airport terminal in the United States to receive LEED certification for environmentally friendly design from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Additionally, Massport has worked to improve ground access to the airport, reduce noise and air pollution, and extend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) initiatives beyond its operational borders. The "Logan Modernization Project," completed between 1994 and 2006, included improvements such as two-tiered roadways to separate arrival and departure traffic, which can help reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the area.

Overall, while Logan Airport's expansion and operations have had environmental impacts, Massport has actively worked to mitigate these effects and promote sustainable practices. The ongoing environmental reports and initiatives demonstrate a commitment to minimizing the airport's ecological footprint and enhancing the quality of life for surrounding communities.

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Terminals and facilities

Logan International Airport, also known as Boston Logan International Airport, is located in East Boston and Winthrop, Massachusetts. The airport has four lettered passenger terminals (A, B, C, and E) and 107 gate positions. All terminals are connected by pre-security shuttle buses and the SL1 branch of the MBTA Silver Line BRT. Terminals A, B, and E are also connected by pre-security moving walkways. Moving walkways also connect the terminals to a central parking garage. Post-security connection between Terminals B, C, and E is available.

Terminal A, which opened in 2005, was developed under a special facility lease between the Massachusetts Port Authority and Delta. Terminal B, which opened in 1974, was designed by John Carl Warnecke & Associates and Desmond & Lord, Inc. Terminals B and C were added in 1949 and are still in use today. With the exception of flights from destinations with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance, inbound international flights arrive at Terminal E for customs screening as the other terminals do not have these facilities.

Logan Airport offers dining, shopping, and transportation services. From food courts and restaurants to grab-and-go options, the airport offers a variety of dining choices. The shops at the airport sell electronics, apparel, accessories, cosmetics, and souvenirs. The airport can be reached by the MBTA Blue Line, Silver Line, or Water Ferry.

The airport also provides accessible facilities, programs, and services for people with disabilities. It conducted a public survey from March 12, 2025, to May 5, 2025, to gather input on the experiences of individuals with disabilities who have used its facilities.

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Accessibility

Logan International Airport, also known as Boston Logan International Airport, is located in East Boston. The airport was opened on September 8, 1923, and was initially used by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps.

Logan Airport is accessible by various means of transportation. The airport is served by the MBTA, with the Blue Line, Silver Line, and Water Ferry providing connections to the city of Boston and beyond. The airport also offers a dedicated express service, Logan Express, with pick-up and drop-off locations in several areas, including Back Bay, Braintree, Danvers, Framingham, and Woburn.

For those driving to the airport, there are parking options available, including a central parking garage with consolidated service to all four terminals. The airport's website provides information on parking rates and availability.

In addition to ground transportation, Logan Airport also has a dedicated water ferry service, providing a unique way to arrive at or depart from the airport.

The airport itself is designed to be easily navigable, with terminal maps available online and on the FlyLogan app. The app also allows passengers to order food ahead for pickup and access premium WiFi.

For passengers with disabilities, Logan Airport is committed to providing accessible facilities, programs, and services. The airport conducted a public survey in 2025 to gather feedback from individuals with disabilities regarding their experiences at the airport. This survey aimed to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the airport meets the needs of all passengers.

The airport also offers a range of services and facilities to assist passengers with disabilities, including moving walkways between terminals and accessible shuttle buses.

Overall, Logan International Airport strives to provide accessible and user-friendly experiences for all its passengers, regardless of their method of transportation or individual needs.

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Historical background

Logan International Airport, also known as Boston Logan International Airport, is located in East Boston and Winthrop, Massachusetts. It is the largest airport in the New England region in terms of passenger volume and cargo handling, and it is one of the busiest airports in the northeastern United States. The airport covers 2,384 acres and has six runways and four passenger terminals, employing an estimated 16,000 people.

Logan Airport opened on September 8, 1923, as a military base for the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps. At the time, it was known as "Boston Air Port" or "Jeffries Field" and was located at Jeffries Point. The airport's first general manager was First Lt. Donald Duke of the Army Air Corps, who is credited with coining the term "airport." In 1925, the first commercial hangar was built, and in 1926, Colonial Air Transport, a predecessor of American Airlines, began offering the first regularly scheduled commercial passenger flights between Boston and New York. In 1927, these flights officially began, marking the start of commercial flight services at Logan Airport.

In 1928, ownership of the airport was transferred from the U.S. Army to the Massachusetts Legislature, and the City of Boston took control with a 20-year lease. The City Council placed the airport under the jurisdiction of the Parks Department, which began making improvements. The airfield was expanded from 189 acres to 400 acres in 1934, and an administration building was added in 1929, along with lengthened runways and paved access roads. On January 1, 1936, the airport's weather station became the official point for Boston's weather observations and records by the National Weather Service.

During World War II, Boston became a transatlantic gateway, and in the late 1940s, American Overseas Airlines began operating a weekly Boston-Shannon-London service. In 1943, the airport was renamed after Maj. Gen. Edward Lawrence Logan, a Spanish-American War officer from South Boston, and this name change was made official in 1944. In 1946, Pan Am began operating a nonstop service to Shannon Airport in Ireland and Santa Maria Airport in the Azores, continuing on to London and Lisbon, respectively. The airport continued to expand in the 1940s and 1950s due to the rising demand for air travel, adding 1,800 acres of landfill in Boston Harbor taken from former islands. Terminals B and C were added in 1949 and are still in use today.

In the early 1960s, a $23 million Massport project added an international terminal (now Terminal C) and an extension of Runway 15R/33L to accommodate larger aircraft. By 1959, the airport had four runways and an expanded terminal with 45 gates, offering daily PanAm service to Europe. In 1970, the Boeing 747 arrived at the airport with Pan Am as its launch customer, and by the 1970s, several airlines had established early transatlantic flights from Boston.

From 1994 to 2006, the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) undertook the "Logan Modernization Project," which included a new parking garage, hotel, moving walkways, terminal expansions, and two-tiered roadways to separate arrival and departure traffic. This project, along with ongoing expansions and improvements, has contributed to Logan Airport's growth and its position as a significant hub for international travel.

Frequently asked questions

No, Logan Airport is not on an island. It is located in East Boston and is named after Southie native, veteran, and first-generation Irish-American Edward Lawrence Logan.

Logan Airport was first opened at Jeffries Point in 1923 for military use by the Massachusetts Air National Guard and the United States Army Air Corps. The city took ownership from the Army in 1929 and switched to passenger travel. As air traffic increased, Logan expanded by taking over more of the East Boston harborfront.

Logan Airport's expansion has been a source of controversy since the mid-1960s when the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) took control of residential land and a popular fishing area, including Wood Island Park, to extend Runway 15R/33L. This expansion led to decades of litigation and protests from activists concerned about the negative impact on the surrounding community and environment.

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