By the time you get to the airport, check in, fly there and check out, you could've driven to Boston already.

"sevimacar"... agreed... I'd be halfway to Boston on the Pike and the plane in Albany would still be on the tarmac!

I agree with you both.
Considering the drive time to the airport, time spent on parking, and all the general nonsense you have to go through AT the airport before you even board the plane, it's not remotely time, or cost effective.

Not to mention the farce of "keeping you safe", that they want you to show up a couple of hours early for to participate in.

More big pluses of driving, are that you don't have to worry about (or pay for) ground transportation at either end, and you get to plan around YOUR schedule, not theirs.
Not to mention that you get to carry as much luggage as you want, without any of it being rejected, rifled through, stolen, lost, or penalized.

If the point of taking the flight is to spend some time visiting Boston, then it doesn't make much practical sense. However, for people taking international flights that originate in Boston, a direct Albany-Boston connection would be quite handy.

Albany airport has the most expensive fares in the state - something Soutwest coming to the airport was supposed to change. If flying from Albany to Boston and then to my end destination would be cheaper than Albany to my end destination, then I'd have no problems doing it.

Years ago, I was able to do this through Albany. I think it was on Continental. For business, it was great. Two hours from my front door to Logan, 20 minutes to catch a cab into the business district. I could make a morning meeting without having to drive in the night before, or arrive cranky from a four to five hour drive through rush hour traffic.

Having a student that attends school in Boston, this service would be great for weekend visits back home. By the time you pay for gas, tolls and food after you pickup your child, you have spent just as much. Not to mention what is your time worth? three hours out and 3 three hours back not counting traffic. I can see both sides but for a parent with a student in Boston this service would be great.

High speed rail between Albany and Boston would be a much better service.

I agree with b2adam. High speed rail would be excellent. Lower fare, faster and easier boarding and luggage transport, and many stations are conveniently placed in downtown areas.