If you're flying out of Boston this fall, the question worth asking isn't just when you're traveling — it's whether Logan's runway math still adds up on the day you fly.

Beginning August 31, Logan International Airport will close Runway 27 for roughly 75 days as crews move into the second phase of a major safety project, according to the Massachusetts Port Authority, or Massport. The timing lands squarely across some of the year's busiest travel stretches — Labor Day getaways, college visit season, and the early lead-up to Thanksgiving — the exact period when travelers can least afford unexpected delays.

What's Actually Being Built

The closure isn't cosmetic. Crews are installing an Engineered Material Arresting System, or EMAS — a safety feature built from lightweight, crushable material designed to help stop an aircraft that overruns the runway during landing or an aborted takeoff. Logan already has EMAS systems installed at Runways 22R and 33L, making this the airport's third such installation.

This phase follows work completed last fall and involves constructing a support deck for the new system, part of which will extend out over the water. The runway itself isn't being lengthened — the construction is purely about building the infrastructure needed to support the arresting system underneath it.

Why Travelers Should Actually Pay Attention

The real impact for passengers comes down to one word: capacity. With Runway 27 out of service, Logan will have fewer options for managing aircraft movement, a limitation that becomes especially pronounced during bad weather or other operational restrictions. Massport has acknowledged travelers could see delays specifically during periods of inclement weather, air traffic restrictions, and other disruptions — precisely the kind of conditions fall weather in New England tends to produce.

The ripple effects won't stay contained to the airport itself. With flights shifting to Logan's other runways, surrounding communities could see increased air traffic overhead, along with construction noise — including pile driving — as work progresses. Massport says the construction activity will be limited to daytime hours, offering at least some relief for residents living near the flight paths.

The Bottom Line for Your Fall Travel Plans

None of this means fall travel through Logan is off the table. It does mean the margin for error is smaller than usual. Checking flight status before heading to the airport, building in extra time for connections, and treating any potential delay as part of the trip planning rather than a surprise are the practical steps that can make the difference between a stressful travel day and a manageable one.

Massport has framed the project's purpose plainly: the runway closure, and any inconvenience it causes in the short term, exists to make the airport measurably safer in the long term. Crews are targeting completion before Thanksgiving, though as with any major infrastructure project spanning multiple months, travelers may want to build in some flexibility in case that timeline shifts.

And if the wait does end up testing your patience, Logan's BOS PAWS therapy dog program remains available for travelers looking for a distraction — proof that even a runway closure can come with a small silver lining.