
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, commonly referred to as Detroit Metro Airport, DTW, or Metro Airport, is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan area in Michigan, US. Located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb, it is Michigan's busiest airport, offering connections to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the US.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
| Acronym | DTW |
| Location | Romulus, Michigan |
| Area | 4,850 acres (1,960 ha) |
| Terminals | 2 (McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal) |
| Lounges | 8, including 4 Delta Sky Clubs |
| Restaurants, cafes, and food stations | 86 |
| Connectivity | I-94 and I-275 |
| Airlines | Delta Air Lines, Spirit Airlines, Lufthansa, JetBlue Airways, Royal Jordanian, SkyWest Airlines, GoJet, etc. |
| Services | Dining, shopping, lounges, car rentals, shuttles, bus routes, wheelchair assistance, children's play areas, etc. |
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What You'll Learn

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
The airport is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and is also a base for Spirit Airlines. It has service to 30 international destinations and service to 39 states across the United States. It is also a hub for SkyTeam, with airline members Delta, Aeromexico, and Air France based in the McNamara Terminal. The airport has eight lounges, including four Delta Sky Clubs. Priority Pass members can access the Lufthansa Business Lounge.
The airport has a long history, with Wayne County expanding it to become Detroit's primary airport in 1947. It was renamed Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, and in the next three years, it expanded threefold as three more runways were built. In 1958, the airport management completed the Leroy C. Smith (South) Terminal and gave the airport its present name. In 2009, the airport launched its first social media efforts with participation in Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube networks. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport was named the best large U.S. airport in customer satisfaction by J.D. Power & Associates in 2010, 2019, and 2022.
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DTW's history
DTW, or Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, is the primary international airport serving Detroit, Michigan, and its surrounding metropolitan area. It is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest airport, with ten times as many enplanements and deplanements as the next busiest airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.
The history of DTW can be traced back to the 1930s when the Wayne County Airport was opened and began attracting airlines. By the 1940s, the airport had been enlarged and renamed the Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, becoming the city's primary airport. In 1946-47, most airline traffic moved from the cramped Detroit City Airport (now Coleman A. Young International Airport) to Willow Run Airport, which was closer to Wayne County Airport. In 1949, the airport added runways 3L/21R and 9L/27R, followed by runway 4R/22L in 1950. Aerial photographs from 1949 and 1956 show the airport's expansion during this time.
In 1958, the Civil Aviation Administration (now the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA) announced that Detroit-Wayne would be one of the first American airports to receive new long-range radar equipment, enabling it to become the first inland airport in the US certified for jet airliners. That same year, airport management completed the Leroy C. Smith (South) Terminal, giving the airport its present name: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). American Airlines moved from Willow Run to Detroit-Wayne in October 1958, followed by Northwest, Allegheny, and Delta in subsequent months. The first scheduled jets from the airport were Delta DC-8s to Miami in late 1959.
In 1966, the North Terminal (later renamed the James M. Davey Terminal) opened, and the final commercial carriers moved from Willow Run Airport to DTW, bringing the number of scheduled passenger airlines at DTW to 13. In 1967, Terminal 1 was renamed the L.C. Smith Terminal after Leroy C. Smith, an airport founder. A third terminal, the Michael Berry International Terminal, opened in 1974. The last of its original three parallel runways (3R/21L) was completed in 1976, and a new parallel crosswind runway (9R/27L) opened in 1993.
In 1992, the FAA took control of its new $15 million Air Traffic Control Tower, the tallest in the Great Lakes Region at 250 feet. In 1996, Wayne County and Northwest Airlines announced plans to build a new Midfield Terminal, which opened in 2002 and was named after Wayne County Executive Edward H. McNamara. In 2008, the new North Terminal opened, and the Smith and Berry terminals were retired. In 2009, DTW launched its first social media efforts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. In 2011, Lufthansa launched a unique curbside check-in and baggage check service for premium customers from DTW's North Terminal to Frankfurt and beyond. In 2012, the Ground Run-up Enclosure (GRE) opened, significantly reducing noise in neighbouring communities during jet engine testing.
DTW has continued to expand and improve, receiving numerous awards and accolades. In 2019, Airports Council International (ACI) selected DTW as one of the best airports in North America for customer service, and it was awarded first place in Customer Satisfaction for Mega Airports by J.D. Power. The airport covers 4,850 acres of land and offers two terminals with various dining, shopping, and lounge options, as well as great ground transportation links. It is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines, providing service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the US.
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Airlines and terminals
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's busiest airport, located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb. It is a hub for SkyTeam, with airline members Delta, Aeromexico, and Air France based in the McNamara Terminal. The airport has two terminals—the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal—which are located at either end of the airport and are not connected to one another. John Dingell Drive runs between the two terminals for connections by car or bus, and the airport itself is accessible from I-94 and I-275.
The McNamara Terminal is situated at the south end of the airport and has a huge water feature in the centre with water jets representing the lines of a flight map. The terminal has 4 Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass members can access the Lufthansa Business Lounge. The Lufthansa Lounges are located in the Evans Terminal, along with a Freedom Centre for the military.
The Evans Terminal is at the north end of the airport and is the smaller of the two terminals, consisting of Concourse D only. Flights for non-SkyTeam airlines operate from 29 gates, numbered D1 to D6, D8 to D12, D14 to D21, and D23 to D32. Ticketing and departures are situated on the upper level, while arrivals and transportation services are on the lower level.
DTW is a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which is the airport's second-largest hub in terms of passenger numbers. It is also a base for Spirit Airlines, which has grown at DTW by adding service to more East and West Coast cities. Other airlines that operate from DTW include Lufthansa, JetBlue Airways, Royal Jordanian, SkyWest Airlines, and GoJet.
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Lounges and dining
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan's busiest airport, located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb. The airport offers a variety of lounges and dining options for travellers to enjoy.
Lounges
Although specific details about the lounges at DTW are scarce, sources suggest that there are lounges available for passengers to use. The Priority Pass website mentions the McNamara Terminal and Warren C. Evans Terminal, indicating that there may be lounges associated with these terminals. Additionally, the website mentions "Minute Suites" and "Be Relax Spa," which could potentially be lounge or relaxation areas within the airport.
The American Express website also provides a list of airports with lounges, including Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), indicating that there may be an American Express lounge or lounge access available for eligible cardholders at this airport.
To access lounges and for more detailed information, travellers can refer to the Priority Pass and American Express websites or download the Priority Pass app, which helps users find and access lounges and manage their accounts.
Dining
DTW offers a variety of dining options for travellers, with food and drink options that are reportedly "on point." The options are pretty consistent across both the McNamara Terminal and the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal (formerly North Terminal). Here are some of the dining places you can find at DTW:
- Leo's Coney Island: Located in the McNamara Terminal, Leo's offers a full-service dining experience with friendly staff and reasonable prices. Their menu includes gyros and chilli-topped hot dogs.
- Longhorn Steakhouse: This airport outpost of the Longhorn Steakhouse chain is known for its consistent quality and pricing, along with a decent view. They offer breakfast options like French toast, as well as steak, steak salad, and burgers from their regular menu.
- Max & Erma's: A casual dining chain offering American cuisine and drinks in a setting adorned with kitschy memorabilia.
- Mezza Mediterranean Grille: Specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, Mezza offers dishes like beef and chicken shawarma, kebabs, and hummus.
- Palazzolo's Artisan Gelato & Sorbetto: This gelato and sorbet shop, based in Fennville, Michigan, provides a sweet treat for travellers.
- Plum Market: Plum Market is ideal for those seeking flaky pastries and coffee. They have a bar area and dine-in seating, but many customers opt for their cafe line, featuring Zingerman's pastries.
- Reflections Restaurant and Lounge: Located inside the airport's on-site Westin hotel, Reflections offers amenities like flatbreads, salmon, seasonal soup, and a full bar.
In addition to these dining establishments, travellers can also find retail locations within the airport that carry food items such as yogurt, pre-packaged sandwiches, and snacks, alongside books and magazines.
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Travel tips
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area, located in Romulus, a Detroit suburb. It is Michigan's busiest airport, with ten times as many enplanements and deplanements as the next busiest airport, Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.
Parking and Arrival Time
It is recommended to arrive at the airport two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight, to account for parking, baggage check, and TSA wait lines. To save time, you can book your DTW parking valet service in advance.
Dining and Lounges
DTW offers a variety of dining options, with 86 restaurants, cafes, and food stations. The options before security are minimal, but the choice is extensive throughout all concourses once you pass through. The airport also has eight lounges, including four Delta Sky Clubs. Only one lounge is available for passengers to purchase a day pass, while the others are exclusive to premium cabin passengers or military personnel and their dependents. Priority Pass members can access the Lufthansa Business Lounge.
Ground Transportation
The airport has good ground transportation links, including car rentals, shuttles, and two SMART bus routes.
Wi-Fi and Charging
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport and can be accessed by selecting "Detroit Airport Wi-Fi" from the available connections. Many gates also provide power charging stations.
Lost and Found
DTW does not have a central lost and found office. For lost items at security checkpoints, contact TSA Lost and Found at 734-942-3126. For items lost on an aircraft or in the gate area, contact the relevant airline. For items lost elsewhere on airport property, submit a claim to the WCAA Police.
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Frequently asked questions
The full name of the airport is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
The airport is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan.
The airport was founded in 1930 as Wayne County Airport. In 1947, it was renamed Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, and in 1958, it was renamed again to its present name, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The airport has since undergone several expansions and renovations to become Michigan's busiest airport.
DTW is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and is also a base for Spirit Airlines. Other airlines that operate from DTW include Lufthansa, JetBlue Airways, and Royal Jordanian.











































