Detroit Airport: A Sprawling Transportation Hub's Size Explored

how big is the detroit airport

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as Detroit Metro, is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States. It covers an area of 4,850 acres, or nearly 7,000 acres according to another source, and serves more than 32 million passengers annually. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 gates, with more than 800 flights daily to and from three continents. It is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines.

Characteristics Values
Name Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Common Name Detroit Metro
Location Romulus, Michigan
Size 4,850 acres
Year Opened 1930
No. of Terminals 2
No. of Gates 129-147
No. of Runways 6
Annual Passenger Traffic 31.4-32 million
Economic Impact $10.2 billion
Jobs Supported 86,000+
Primary Operator Delta Air Lines
IATA Code DTW

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The Detroit Metropolitan Airport covers 4,850 acres of land

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport or "Detroit Metro", covers 4,850 acres of land. It is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, and is Michigan's busiest airport. The airport was founded in the late 1920s and dedicated in 1930 as the Wayne County Airport. Since then, it has expanded to cover a much larger area.

The airport is one of the world's leading air transportation hubs, with more than 800 flights per day to and from three continents. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and a base for Spirit Airlines. It has six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates. The McNamara Terminal, which opened in 2002, features the world's second-longest airport concourse at nearly one mile in length.

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is not only large in size but also in terms of the number of passengers it serves. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States, serving over 32 million passengers annually. The airport also generates a significant economic impact, contributing $10.2 billion annually and supporting more than 86,000 jobs in Michigan.

The airport's size and busy nature can make navigating it a challenging experience, especially during the busy flying season. However, the airport has implemented several measures to assist travellers, such as the Airport Ambassadors program, where volunteers help guide lost or confused travellers to their gates. Additionally, the ExpressTram system in the McNamara Terminal helps transport passengers quickly along the lengthy concourse.

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It is one of the world's leading air transportation hubs

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is one of the world's leading air transportation hubs. It is Michigan's busiest airport, with more than 800 flights per day to and from three continents. It is also one of the country's top international hubs, with flights headed out of the country likely to stop in Detroit.

DTW is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area in Michigan, United States. It is located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb, and covers 4,850 acres (1,960 ha) of land. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and is also a base for Spirit Airlines. Detroit serves as Delta's main gateway to Asia for the Eastern United States.

DTW has played a key role in the nation's aviation system since its founding in the late 1920s. The airport has continued to expand its reach around the globe, building on its legacy. It offers service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States. It serves over 140 destinations and was named the best large U.S. airport in customer satisfaction in 2010, 2019, and 2022.

The airport is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), which also operates the nearby Willow Run Airport (YIP). WCAA drives economic activity, creating and sustaining more than 86,000 jobs throughout the state. The airport generates $10.2 billion in annual economic impact.

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It is Michigan's busiest airport

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport or "Detroit Metro", is Michigan's busiest airport. It is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, and covers 4,850 acres of land.

Detroit Metro is one of the world's leading air transportation hubs, with more than 800 flights per day to and from three continents. It is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area, and it also serves the Toledo, Ohio area, Ann Arbor, Windsor, and Southwestern Ontario in Canada. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 gates, and it offers service to 30 international destinations and 39 US states.

Detroit Metro is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and a base for Spirit Airlines. It is Delta's main gateway to Asia from the Eastern United States. The airport has been recognised for its excellence, ranking as the fifth-best large airport in the United States by The Wall Street Journal in 2023. This ranking was based on reliability and value/convenience, with Detroit Metro boasting over 82% on-time arrivals and departures, efficient security processing, and a quick average taxi-out time.

The airport plays a significant role in the region's economy, generating $10.2 billion in annual economic impact and supporting more than 86,000 jobs in Michigan. It has a rich history, dating back to its founding in the late 1920s, and continues to expand its reach globally.

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The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as Detroit Metro, is a large airport with six runways, two terminals, and 129 in-service gates. It covers a vast area of 4,850 acres (approximately 1,960 hectares) and is one of the busiest airports in the United States, serving more than 32 million passengers annually.

The airport's six runways cater to a high volume of air traffic, with more than 800 flights departing and arriving daily to and from three continents. The two terminals, known as the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal, provide efficient passenger processing and offer a range of amenities to ensure a smooth travel experience.

The McNamara Terminal, exclusively used by Delta Airlines and its partners, boasts an impressive design. It features three concourses (A, B, and C) with a total of 121 gates. The highlight of Concourse A is the ExpressTram, a unique people mover system that transports passengers quickly along the nearly one-mile-long concourse. The terminal also offers a variety of shopping and dining options, lounges, and convenient amenities such as pet relief areas.

The Evans Terminal, on the other hand, serves all non-SkyTeam airlines and is considered the D Concourse. It has 29 gates and provides efficient services for international arrivals, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection facilities. Both terminals contribute to the airport's high passenger capacity and efficient operations.

In addition to its physical infrastructure, Detroit Metropolitan Airport also excels in customer satisfaction. It has been recognised as the best large U.S. airport in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associates multiple times—in 2010, 2019, and 2022. The airport's commitment to reliability and convenience is evident through its high percentage of on-time arrivals and departures, efficient taxi and security processes, and the availability of helpful staff and volunteers who assist travellers in navigating the large facility.

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It is located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. The airport was first opened in 1930 as the Wayne County Airport, and its first landing took place on February 22, 1930, with its official dedication taking place on September 4, 1930. The airport was originally owned by Wayne County and was used to send United States airmail. During World War II, the U.S. Army assumed control of the airport and renamed it the Romulus Army Air Field. They used it as a staging base to transport military aircraft to Europe.

In 1947, after the war ended, the airport was renamed the Detroit-Wayne Major Airport and expanded to four square miles, quadrupling its original size. This expansion was necessary to accommodate larger passenger planes, which required longer runways than military aircraft. Today, the airport covers 4,850 acres of land and is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States, serving more than 32 million passengers annually.

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport is Michigan's busiest airport by far, with ten times as many boardings and alightings as the next busiest airport in the state, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and a base for Spirit Airlines, serving as Delta's main gateway to Asia from the Eastern United States. The airport has six runways, two terminals, and 129 gates, offering service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States.

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport has a rich history and has played a significant role in the nation's aviation system since its founding in the late 1920s. It continues to be a key transportation hub, connecting Detroit and its surrounding areas to the rest of the world.

Frequently asked questions

The Detroit Metropolitan Airport covers 4,850 acres of land.

The Detroit airport is one of the largest and busiest airports in the US. It is the 10th largest airport in the US and the 3rd biggest portal to Europe from the eastern half of the US.

The Detroit airport has 2 terminals and 6 runways.

The Detroit airport serves more than 32 million passengers annually.

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