Changing terminals in Boston B to E

Question

Good day everyone. I'm looking to save some cash on a flight to London and hope to get some good advice here. I'm flying in from Chicago. I would like to burn some Southwest points on a flight from Chicago to Boston. Then take Delta the rest of the way to London. About a $600 savings. The incoming flight from Chicago arrives at 4:00 and the outgoing Delta flight is at 8:20. Would I be ok with time to spare? Thank you for any advice you could offer. Never flown into Logan before.

Answer

It sounds like you’re planning a good travel strategy to save some money, but you’ll need to carefully consider your connection time at Logan Airport. Since your flight from Chicago arrives at 4:00 PM and your Delta flight departs at 8:20 PM, you have a little over 4 hours to switch terminals from Terminal B (Southwest) to Terminal E (Delta), which is generally enough time, but here are a few things to keep in mind:

Terminal Change: You’ll need to travel from Terminal B to Terminal E. While these terminals are not directly connected inside the secure area, Logan Airport offers a free shuttle bus that runs frequently between all terminals. The shuttle ride typically takes about 5 minutes, but you’ll want to account for waiting time for the shuttle.
Security Check: Since you’ll be transferring between two different airlines, you'll need to clear security again at Terminal E for your Delta flight. This process can take anywhere from 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day and how busy the airport is.
Baggage: If you have checked luggage, you’ll need to retrieve it at baggage claim in Terminal B and then recheck it for your Delta flight in Terminal E. This will add some time to your transfer, so be sure to budget for that in your schedule.
Time Buffer: Your layover time of 4 hours should generally be sufficient for the terminal change and security clearance, especially if there are no major delays with your incoming flight. However, it's always wise to plan for some flexibility, as factors like flight delays, long security lines, or heavy airport traffic could eat into that time.

Overall, you should be okay with the time you have, but it would be helpful to have a bit of a buffer if possible. Logan is a manageable airport, but things can occasionally get crowded, especially during peak hours. If you can, try to make your way to Terminal E as soon as possible once you land in Boston to ensure you don’t feel rushed.