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Laurence G. Hanscom Field (BED/KBED) is a public-use general aviation airport in Bedford, Massachusetts, about 20 miles northwest of Boston. Opened in 1941 as Bedford Army Air Field and later renamed for aviation reporter and pilot Laurence G. Hanscom, it is owned by Massport and serves as a reliever for Logan International Airport. It has no scheduled airline service, handling private, corporate, charter, and flight-training traffic alongside the adjacent Hanscom Air Force Base.
💡 Local Tip
Frequent visitors know to call the FBO ahead for transient parking during peak business-aviation hours and to check NOTAMs for military activity, since Hanscom shares airspace and sometimes runway operations with the adjacent Air Force base.
🚖 Getting There
There is no rail station at the airport; the MBTA Route 76 bus connects the Hanscom area to Alewife station on the Red Line, but service is limited and not ideal with luggage. Taxi, rideshare, or a rental car from an FBO is usually the most practical option. By car, take Route 128/I-95 to Route 2A or Route 4/225 into Bedford, and allow extra time during weekday rush hours.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Hanscom Field have commercial airline service?
A: No. BED is a general aviation airport with no scheduled passenger flights; it primarily serves private jets, charter aircraft, flight schools, and military operations.
Q: How far is Hanscom Field from downtown Boston?
A: It is about 15–20 miles northwest of downtown Boston, typically a 30–45 minute drive depending on traffic via Route 2 and I-95/Route 128.
Q: What facilities are available at Hanscom Field?
A: The airport offers FBO services, fuel, hangars, tie-downs, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, and a control tower. There are no airline terminals or scheduled passenger gates.
Q: Is Hanscom Field the same as Hanscom Air Force Base?
A: They are adjacent but separate. Hanscom Field is the civilian airport owned by Massport, while Hanscom Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation next to it; the base may use the airfield for military operations.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 28, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash