Jazmin Li
Boston Logan International Airport, located in East Boston, is the largest airport in the New England area and one of the top 20 busiest US airports. The airport handles the majority of international flights to Massachusetts and has four terminals that service dozens of airlines. Boston Logan was one of the first airports in the nation to test Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners, which are used by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to confirm the validity of a traveler's ID and flight information in near real-time. As of May 7, 2025, travelers flying within the United States and passing through Boston Logan Airport must have a REAL ID-compliant identification or an acceptable alternative to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Boston Logan International Airport |
| Airport Code | BOS |
| Location | East Boston |
| Terminals | 4 |
| Airlines | Delta, Cape Air, jetBlue, American Eagle, Delta Connection, etc. |
| ID Requirements | REAL ID or other TSA-acceptable form of identification |
| Additional Information | Boston Logan International Airport was one of the first airports to test Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners |
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What You'll Learn
Boston Logan International Airport ID requirements
Boston Logan International Airport has introduced new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners to improve security and screening capabilities. The technology enhances the detection of fraudulent documents such as passports and driver's licenses, and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification. The CAT units consist of a passport reader, an ID card reader, a Federal personal identity verification ID card reader, a monitor, a stand, and a UV light.
In terms of ID requirements, individuals over 18 need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or another acceptable form of ID, such as a passport or passport card, to board domestic flights and enter certain federal buildings. A REAL ID-compliant driver's license in Massachusetts is marked by a star in the top right corner. To obtain a REAL ID, individuals must visit their local Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles office in person and provide certain documents, including proof of U.S. citizenship, state residency, Social Security number, and identity. It is important to note that REAL ID documents must be originals and cannot be laminated.
For international travel, Boston Logan International Airport recommends arriving three hours before departure to ensure adequate time for check-in, security screening, and travel to the gate. Passengers should have their boarding pass and ID ready for inspection and be prepared to remove outer garments, shoes, and laptops from their bags for screening.
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REAL ID credentials
Boston Logan International Airport has introduced new Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners to improve its checkpoint screening capabilities. The technology enhances the detection of fraudulent documents such as driver's licenses and passports and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification.
A REAL ID credential is an enhanced version of a driver's license or state ID that meets the Federal Security Standard for IDs. It is marked by a star in the top right corner. To get a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, individuals need to visit their local Registry of Motor Vehicles office or AAA branch in person and bring certain documents to prove U.S. citizenship and state residency. Requirements include two proofs of in-state address, one proof of Social Security number, and proof of identity and legal presence.
REAL ID documents must be originals and cannot be laminated. Your current name must match the one on your documents. If it does not, you must present documents proving you changed your name, such as a marriage certificate or other court documents.
As of May 7, 2025, a REAL ID, or an acceptable alternative, is required for domestic air travel and access to certain federal buildings in the United States. This includes military bases. Without a federally acceptable ID, individuals will not be able to board a plane for travel within the country or enter secure federal facilities that require ID for entry. At Boston Logan International Airport, travelers without a REAL ID will be pulled out of line and may experience longer wait times. However, they will not necessarily be turned away if they have another form of valid identification, such as a passport, military DOD card, or DHS Trusted Traveler card.
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Credential Authentication Technology (CAT)
Boston Logan International Airport is one of the first airports in the United States to test Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has deployed 25 CAT units at the airport to improve checkpoint screening capabilities.
CAT is a security game-changer, ensuring ID authentication, reservation verification, and Secure Flight pre-screening status are known in "near" real-time at the airport security checkpoint. When a traveler hands their ID to a TSA officer, the officer places it in the CAT unit, which scans the ID and checks its validity. The system also confirms the passenger's flight status in near real-time through a secure connection. CAT units can authenticate more than 2,500 different types of IDs, including passports, military common access cards, retired military ID cards, and permanent resident cards.
The implementation of CAT enhances the detection of fraudulent documents, such as driver's licenses and passports, and increases efficiency by automatically verifying passenger identification. This technology addresses the vulnerabilities associated with ID and boarding pass fraud. CAT is linked electronically to the Secure Flight database, which confirms travelers' flight details, ensuring they are ticketed for travel on that day.
The next generation of CAT units, referred to as CAT-2, has additional capabilities. These units are equipped with a camera that captures a real-time photo of the traveler, which is then compared to the photo on their identification credential. This facial matching process can be opted out of, and travelers can choose an alternative identity verification process. CAT-2 units also have readers that allow travelers to use state-issued digital driver's licenses or digital identification cards for TSA identity verification.
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TSA-acceptable forms of ID
As of May 7, 2025, all travelers must be REAL ID-compliant to board domestic flights and access certain federal facilities in the United States. This means that passengers must present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or another acceptable alternative form of ID. The TSA currently accepts expired IDs up to two years after their expiration date.
- U.S. passport
- U.S. passport card
- DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
- U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
- An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs)
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
- U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
- State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced ID (EID)
- Permanent Resident Card (I-551), often referred to as a "Green Card"
- Unexpired Foreign Passport and Immigrant Visa with I-551 annotation "Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence for 1 Year"
- U.S. Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197)
- Expired U.S. passport within 12 months of expiration (only as proof of citizenship)
Passengers who do not present a REAL ID-compliant form of identification or an acceptable alternative form of ID may be directed to a separate area and may be subject to additional screening. These passengers will not be allowed to enter the security checkpoint if they do not cooperate with the identity verification process or if their identity cannot be confirmed.
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Boston Logan International Airport's role
Boston Logan International Airport, also known as General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is located in East Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is the largest airport in the region in terms of passenger volume and cargo handling. The airport covers 1,700 acres and consists of four terminals (A, B, C, and E), six runways, and 107 gate positions. Terminal E handles the majority of international flights and is the second-largest international arrivals facility in the United States.
Boston Logan International Airport is a significant hub for air travel in the region, serving over 43 million passengers in 2024. It is a transatlantic hub for Delta Air Lines and a focus city for JetBlue, which is the airport's largest carrier as of 2023. The airport offers ground transportation options such as MBTA ferries, buses, trains, rental cars, ride-shares, and shuttles, providing easy access to downtown Boston and the surrounding areas.
The airport has played a crucial role in the history of aviation. In the early 1950s, BOAC (British Overseas Airways Corporation) operated nonstop flights to Scotland, and Air France began a multi-stop Constellation service to Paris. The first commercial jetliner, the De Havilland Comet, also served direct flights to London Heathrow. The jumbo jet era began at Logan in 1970 with Pan Am's daily Boeing 747 service to London Heathrow. In recent years, airlines such as British Airways, Emirates, and Lufthansa have operated A380 flights to Boston.
In terms of security and technology, Boston Logan International Airport has been at the forefront of implementing new systems. In 2020, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) introduced Credential Authentication Technology (CAT) scanners at the airport, enhancing the detection and identification of fraudulent documents. The CAT units can authenticate over 2,500 types of IDs and verify passenger flight information in near real-time, improving the efficiency of security checks. The airport also adheres to the REAL ID Act, which sets minimum security standards for state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards required for domestic air travel.
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Frequently asked questions
A REAL ID is an enhanced version of a driver's license or Massachusetts ID that meets the Federal Security Standard for IDs. It is marked by a star in the top right corner.
A REAL ID is required for US travelers aged 18 and over to board domestic flights. It is also needed to enter certain federal buildings.
You will need another form of TSA-acceptable identification, such as a passport, a military DOD card, or a DHS Trusted Traveler card. If you don't have a REAL ID or another acceptable form of ID, you may be pulled out of line for additional screening.
To get a REAL ID, you must make an appointment for an in-person visit at an RMV Service Center or AAA branch (if you're a member). You will need to bring certain documents to prove your identity, U.S. citizenship, and state residency.
