Exploring Detroit Airport: The Concourse Experience

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, also known as the Detroit Metro Airport, is a large international airport in the United States. It is located in Romulus, Michigan, and is the primary airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan area. The airport has two terminals: the McNamara Terminal and the North Terminal (renamed the Evans Terminal in 2022). Together, these terminals contain four concourses (A, B, C, and D) and 129 gates in total. The McNamara Terminal is the larger of the two, with 121 gates, while the North/Evans Terminal has 29-43 gates. The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and offers flights to numerous domestic and international destinations.

The McNamara Terminal has 3 concourses: A, B, and C

The McNamara Terminal, also known as the Northwest WorldGateway, is a major hub for Delta Airlines and its partners, Aeromexico and Air France. The terminal is named after Edward H. McNamara and was opened on February 24, 2002, replacing the Davey Terminal. It is located at the southern end of the airport, with parking just outside and roadways leading to John Dingell Drive for inter-terminal connections or onward travel.

The terminal consists of four levels, housing Concourses A, B, and C. The largest of the three, Concourse A, is nearly a mile long and has 62 gates. It is used primarily by Delta and features an Express Tram that runs its length, as well as moving walkways. Concourses B and C are joint concourses with 17 and 23 gates, respectively. They can be accessed by walking through a tunnel between gates A38 and A40 in Concourse A.

The McNamara Terminal offers a range of shops and restaurants, as well as Delta Sky Clubs and an AAA Four Star Westin hotel connected directly to the concourse.

The North Terminal has 1 concourse: D

The North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport has one concourse: Concourse D. This terminal is home to 26 gates and houses several airlines, including Spirit, American, and Lufthansa. The North Terminal is easy to navigate and features various shops and restaurants for travellers to enjoy.

The North Terminal, also known as the Evans Terminal, is one of two terminals at the airport, the other being the McNamara Terminal. The McNamara Terminal is the larger of the two, with 121 gates across three concourses: A, B, and C.

The North Terminal recently underwent a $200 million renovation project, which focused on enhancing the passenger experience. This included modernised restrooms, additional seating areas, updated dining and retail options, and improved wayfinding systems. The renovation was completed by the end of 2024, ensuring that travellers passing through the North Terminal would have a more comfortable and convenient experience.

The North Terminal provides a range of facilities and services to meet the needs of travellers. It has its own parking garages, and there is also additional parking available on the airport grounds operated by private companies. The terminal has six long segments of moving walkways, making it easy for travellers to get around, and it offers a variety of dining and shopping options.

The North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a modern and efficient facility, providing a pleasant travel experience for its passengers. With its range of amenities and easy navigation, it is one of the nicest terminals in America and the world.

The McNamara Terminal is used exclusively by Delta Airlines, Air France, Virgin Atlantic and KLM

The McNamara Terminal, also known as the Northwest WorldGateway, is the largest terminal at Detroit Airport. It is used exclusively by Delta Airlines, Air France, Virgin Atlantic, and KLM. This exclusive use is due to a partnership between these airlines, which provides customers with more convenient flight schedules and a smooth travel experience. The terminal has three concourses, A, B, and C, with about 100 boarding gates.

Concourse A, with gates A1 through A78, is the second-longest airport concourse globally, featuring an Express Tram with three stations: South, Terminal, and North. This people mover system transports passengers between the ends of Concourse A in just over three minutes. Additionally, Concourse A offers shopping and dining options in the Central Link area and is connected to the Westin Hotel.

Concourse B, with gates B1 through B21, and Concourse C, with gates C1 through C27, are located in the "satellite" terminal. They are connected to the main terminal and Concourse A via a pedestrian walkway known as the Light Tunnel. This tunnel features an elaborate light show with coloured LED lighting and an original musical score, along with moving walkways.

The McNamara Terminal provides a range of amenities and services, including Delta Sky Clubs, duty-free stores, vending machines, shoeshine services, banking services, ATMs, currency exchange, baby care facilities, a children's play area, an information desk, and a pet relief area. The terminal also offers a unique program called Airport Access Authorization to Commercial Establishments Beyond the Screen Checkpoint (AAACE), which allows registered guests of the Westin Hotel who are not flying to obtain a pass to enter the concourses and access shops and restaurants.

The North Terminal is used by airlines such as American, United, and Spirit

Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as Detroit Metro Airport, is located in Romulus, Michigan, and is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan area. It is Michigan's busiest airport, handling over 100,000 passengers daily and operating around 1,200 flights daily.

The airport has two terminals: the McNamara Terminal and the North Terminal. The North Terminal is used by several airlines, including American, United, and Spirit. Other airlines that use the North Terminal include Alaska, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Southwest, and Frontier. The terminal has 43 gates across two levels, with the lower level used for arrivals and the upper level for departures.

The North Terminal offers various amenities to enhance the passenger experience. It provides facilities such as an American Airlines Admirals Club and a Lufthansa Business Lounge. Additionally, passengers can enjoy diverse shopping and dining options. The terminal also offers free Wi-Fi and accessible facilities for passengers with disabilities. For families travelling with children, there are dedicated play areas, and nursing rooms are also available.

The North Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is currently undergoing a $200 million renovation project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. The renovation focuses on enhancing the passenger experience by providing modernised restrooms, additional seating areas, updated dining and retail options, and improved wayfinding systems.

The McNamara Terminal has an underground walkway to the North Terminal

The Edward H. McNamara Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a sight to behold. The terminal, which opened in 2002, is a major hub for Delta Airlines and its partners, boasting 121 gates across three concourses (A, B, and C). But one of its most remarkable features is the underground Light Tunnel connecting Concourse A to Concourses B and C.

The Light Tunnel is a 700-foot-long corridor with an artistic display of lights and sounds. LED lights illuminate the tunnel along its ceiling and walls, smoothly transitioning through a range of colours. Glass panels on the walls feature abstract, flowing patterns that resemble rivers and other topographic features viewed from the air. Two moving walkways on either side of the open floor provide swift transportation between the terminals.

Originally known as the Motown Music Tunnel, it featured a looping 20-minute sampling of famous Motown songs. Today, the music has been switched to a softer, atmospheric track, though the original Motown tracks still make an appearance from time to time. Passengers who are sensitive to the lights and sounds can press a button at each end of the tunnel to temporarily suspend the show.

The Light Tunnel is not just an aesthetic feature but also serves a functional purpose, providing a quick and convenient connection between the concourses within the McNamara Terminal. It is a unique and memorable part of the travel experience at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

In addition to the Light Tunnel, the McNamara Terminal offers other amenities to enhance the travel experience. For example, the ExpressTram in Concourse A helps passengers quickly navigate the nearly one-mile-long concourse, especially when connecting flights. The terminal also features a variety of dining and shopping options, making it a convenient and enjoyable hub for travellers passing through Detroit.

Frequently asked questions