Flight Path Changes Raise Hell Around Logan International Airport

A resident in Medford counted 110 planes flying above his house in the span of six hours.

1 minute read

March 30, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Boston Airport

EQRoy / Shutterstock

Residents in the flight path of Logan International Airport in Boston are getting fed up with the number of airplanes flying overhead, reports Gail Waterhouse.

"In February, Massport logged 328 official noise complaints [pdf] from 66 Medford residents," explains Waterhouse. "Out of 48 communities reporting at least one noise disturbance, Medford had the highest number of residents complaining, and only Milton tallied a higher number of total complaints (948)."

Complaints have increased since 2013, "when the Federal Aviation Administration implemented a series of new procedures called the Next Generation Air Transportation System that aimed to increase plane safety and efficiency." In Boston, that program has impacted Medford, Somerville, and Winchester. "Planes flying north and west of Logan now often fly directly over Everett and Medford before changing course," according to Waterhouse.

Thursday, March 29, 2018 in The Boston Globe

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

16 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 hour ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.