Flying to Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)

The light show in the McNamara Terminal

Airport Overview

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a major international airport in the United States. It is usually referred to as Metro Airport, Detroit Metro Airport or DTW. This airport is the main airport serving Detroit and surrounding suburbs.

DTW covers an area of 4,850 acres in the city of Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is owned and operated by the same county that Detroit, the Motor City is in: Wayne County.

DTW is a major Delta hub which is all in the McNamara Terminal. All other airlines fly from the North Terminal.

Airport Stats & Facts

• Detroit Metro Airport has service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the US.
• The Concourse A in McNamara Terminal is the 2nd largest airport concourse in the world.
• In 2016, DTW was the 18th busiest airport in the United States.
• In 2019, the Detroit Metropolitan Airport served over 36 million passengers, the most in the airport’s history.

Airport Traveling Tips

• DTW airport is busiest during the morning hours between 5 am – 6 am and at night between 9 pm – 10 pm.
• Arrive one and a half hours before a domestic flight departure and two and a half hours before an international flight departure to account for TSA security wait times and any possible delays.

Terminals

This airport has two terminals and four concourses. Concourses A, B, and C are located on the McNamara Terminal, the larger terminal. Concourse D is located in the North Terminal. There is a total of 129 gates.

McNamara Terminal

This terminal is also known as the Northwest WorldGateway because of it’s function for Delta as a hub. This terminal has 3 concourses:

Concourse A – 62 gates with 12 gates used for international departures and arrivals processing. It is the second-largest airport concourse in the world and uses a tram to get around it.

Concourse B & C – 41 gates that are used for Delta Connection flight which are for short distances and use smaller aircrafts. These concourses are connected to the main terminal building and Concourse A by a pedestrian walkway that has a really cool light show.

North Terminal

This terminal features four long moving sidewalks for the departures and one for the lower level. Currently, the terminal houses all airlines aside from Delta, AirFrance, and Aero Mexico. This terminal is also considered Concourse D with 26 gates in this terminal.

Airlines

Detroit Metropolitan Airport is Delta Air Lines second largest hub. Additionally, a bunch of other airlines such as Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, United Airlines fly here.

Parking and Transit

Short-term and Long-term Parking:

Parking at DTW Airport is available at the terminals. From hourly and daily parking to long-term parking, there are several parking options at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Click here to go to the airport’s website.

Off-site Parking:

Many parking lots offer affordable off-site parking near DTW Airport. Most of the off-site parking lots allow 24/7 access.

Transit

After arriving at the airport, passengers have several options for ground transport to their next destination. Some of the transportation options include airport shuttles, car rentals, and buses. In addition, many passengers also utilize ride services like Uber, Lyft, and taxis.

Airport Car Rental

In Detroit Metro Airport you can find the following car rental companies:

Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.

Car rental companies are located outside the terminals, at the northeast end of the airport, in Lucas Drive.

To get there, passengers need to board the courtesy shuttle from the Ground Transportation Centre in McNamara Terminal and in Big Blue in North Terminal.

Shuttles & Buses

Airport Shuttle Services can be a good way to travel from this airport. With the availability of various shuttle services, you can get a ride to some nearby locations.

Public transportation is available from the airport to major areas nearby. These buses aren’t necessarily the best form of transit, however. Public buses called SMART buses, make stops at the North Terminal’s Ground Transportation Center and at McNamara Terminal’s international arrivals level curb.

For a full list of transit options, view the airport’s website.

Amenities

To help you enjoy your travel, Detroit Metropolitan Airport provides visitors with a host of amenities including:

• Restaurants, cafes, and bars.
• Stores, gift shops, and local souvenir shops.
• Shoeshine stations and massage bars.
• Multiple art installations and exhibits on display.
• Free Wi-Fi internet throughout the entire airport.
• Currency exchange.

On-Airport Hotels

The on-Airport Westin Hotel is actually inside the McNamara Terminal, offering a pool, spa, and 34 meeting and boardrooms, as well as a well-equipped business center. Skytrax named this hotel to be among the top-three airport hotels in North America.