Logan experts

[Sammy]

We usually fly out of Manchester NH, and don't have a lot of experience with Logan. We are flying JetBlue out of Logan on a Sunday afternoon (5:45 pm), and taking the Boston Express shuttle from Nashua. With the shuttle schedule, we have the choice of getting to Logan either 3 hours or 1.5 hours prior to our flight.

I'm looking for opinions if 1.5 hours would be enough time for curbside bag check and getting through security, or if we really should allow for the extra time and get there 3 hours early?

 

[gokenin]

well I would say that the 1.5 hours should be enough time I normally arrive between 1.5-2 hours early but I like to give myself plenty of time. The only thing that I might have an issue with is A) the weather depending on when you are leaving b) I have never taken a late afternoon flight out of Logan so I don't know how much security may be backed up at the screening locations. My 2 cents hope its helpful.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I would go with the weather as well, and the traffic report. Plan on the 1.5 hours, which should be plenty of time, but plan for the three hours if there's anything unusual - snow, accident on 3 or 93, anything unusual.

Having used both airports, the JetBlue gates are about as close to the airport entrance as the Southwest gates are (or were, a few years ago) at MHT. And all on one level, with just a slight incline down between some gates. If Boston Express is like Logan Express (and it should be, even though it's not the same service), they drop you on the departures level before circling around again to pick up on the arrivals level. So you'll be only about fifty feet from curbside checkin.

By the way, at Logan it's $2 per bag, payable by credit/debit card only, and that money goes to the airline not the Skycaps. That's my way of hinting that the fee doesn't include the tip (they accept cash ).

 

[robhawk]

I would do the 3 hours. I am usually there 2 hours before. I would be stressing the whole ride hoping it would be enough time. If I missed a vacation to Disney over an hour or so it wouldn't be a pretty site!

Rob

 

[JennSaint]

Are you traveling this coming Sunday of President's weekend? If it were me I'd plan for the 3 hrs and have a late lunch at the airport. This coming weekend can be pretty busy at the airports in the Northeast.

 

[goofy4tink]

I would do the 3 hours. I am usually there 2 hours before. I would be stressing the whole ride hoping it would be enough time. If I missed a vacation to Disney over an hour or so it wouldn't be a pretty site!

Rob

That would be my thought as well. With just 90 mins, I would worry about any glitches in the traffic, and there is plenty of chance of that. I woud be sitting on that bus, just stressing. I would much rather get there with plenty of time to spare and then spend an hour eating somewhere, then have 2 hrs to kill.

 

[debster812]

In a perfect world, the 1.5 hours would be PLENTY. However, if anything goes awry, the traffic can potentially become a boondoggle. I'd much rather have extra time on my hands at the airport, than be stressing about the time sitting in traffic.

But, I also do suffer from a touch of travel induced OCD

 

[jakeybake]

I fly out of Logan to Orlando at least 3-4 times a year, and always on Jet Blue. An hour and a half is more than enough time for you to check your bags curbside and to get through security. The Jet Blue gate area isn't large at all so once you're through security you don't have far to go at all.

I always arrive an hour to an hour and half early (because I'm neurotic when it comes to being on time) and find myself with lots and lots of time to kill.

I think the Dunkin Donuts line next to the Jet Blue gates is actually longer than the security lines most of the time

J

 

[tinka-belle]

Though 1.5 hours is usually enough, Sunday Feb. 20 is the major school vacation period for Boston and surrounding cities. It's very possible that the security lines could be backed up due to many families flying, and a few inexperienced travellers (no one on this board of course!) who might slow the process.

Even though late in the day is generally better than early flights for this, I'll vote for 3 hours in case you do run into backups. Definitely don't want to start your trip stressed that you won't make the flight. If you get there early and all goes smoothly Terminal C has shops, restaurants, etc. to keep you occupied for a while.

 

[Augustheather97]

we are flying out of Logan that same day on Jet blue ...but the 850pm flight...we are going in on a C$J bus from Portsmouth nh and taking the 5 :00 bus and eating dinner in Logan....and relaxing ...probably Johnnie Rockets...I;d rather be in there waiting than getting nervous in a car I might hit a LONG security line..Have fun....

 

[Sammy]

Thanks for the info guys! We are actually flying out on Sunday 2/27, so it's the week after MA school vacation. However, DH and I would probably be stressing with the 1.5 hours, so we'll go with the 3 hours wait time. I like one of the previous ideas about just taking the time to eat a late lunch/early dinner.

Thank you!

 

[gokenin]

Jetblue flies out of terminal C at Logan and from their website

http://www.massport.com/logan-airport/inside-airport/Pages/logan-interactive-maps.html#/terminal/C/zone/Departures/room/TC62

gives all the restaurants and everything else in the terminal

 

[DEA]

Legal Seafood, Boston Beer Works, and Dunkin Donuts all in the terminal... I'd say killing any extra time from getting there 3 hours ahead of your flight would be no problem. Heck, killing a whole day would work with those options

 

[capstubbs]

Terminal C has the best food options. Go early in case of traffic etc. Then you won't be stressed and you can have a relaxed dinner before your flight.

 

[lindsroc]

They say with checking bags you should be there 2 hours prior anyways. I would go with 3 hours if it were me. Honestly, Im at the airport every few weeks to pick up/drop off family and its usually term C. Plus I worked at that terminal for 5 yrs but with United. You never know how the crowds are going to be. Its always best to err on the side of caution when it comes to travel. Worst case, your sitting at the airport a little longer than you need. Better than missing your flight to Disney!!!!

 

[sue Z]

Isnt that the start of the NH school vacation?? If so if using the parking at Nashua I would grab the earlier bus between Ma school vacationers returning and if any other school systems are going on vac or even still Weather issues both in MA or NH cant forget Traffic I would rather be early then late!!

 

[Sammy]

Legal Seafood, Boston Beer Works, and Dunkin Donuts all in the terminal... I'd say killing any extra time from getting there 3 hours ahead of your flight would be no problem. Heck, killing a whole day would work with those options

Oh I better not tell DH there's a Boston Beer Works....I may never get him on the plane!!