Jazmin Li
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the primary airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan area. Located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, DTW is Michigan's busiest airport, with ten times as many enplanements and deplanements as the next busiest airport in the state. The airport covers 4,850 acres of land and features two main terminals: the McNamara Terminal and the North Terminal. DTW serves as a significant hub for Delta Air Lines, accommodating a range of carriers and facilitating both domestic and international travel.
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What You'll Learn
Detroit Metropolitan Airport's history
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area, located in Romulus, Michigan. Covering 4,850 acres of land, it is one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States, serving over 32 million passengers annually.
The airport's history dates back to the 1920s when Wayne County began planning an airport in the western townships. In 1928, the county purchased land at the corner of Middlebelt and Wick roads, which became the northeastern boundary of today's airport. The airport, known as the Wayne County Airport, opened on September 4, 1930, and was used for United States airmail.
During World War II, the U.S. Army assumed control of the airport in 1940, renaming it the Romulus Army Air Field. It served as a staging base for transporting military aircraft to Europe. Bombers and other aircraft were ferried to the airport and then flown to Montreal and Great Britain.
After the war, in 1947, the airport returned to Wayne County's control and was renamed the Detroit-Wayne Major Airport. The county expanded the airport to four square miles, adding new runways to accommodate larger passenger planes. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, airline traffic shifted from the cramped Detroit City Airport (now Coleman A. Young International Airport) to Willow Run Airport and the Detroit-Wayne Major Airport. Pan-Am and BOAC were the first passenger airlines at Detroit-Wayne Major, offering flights to destinations like London and New York.
In 1958, Terminal 1 (later the L.C. Smith Terminal) opened, and the airport was renamed the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. Expansions continued with the construction of Terminal 2 (the J.M. Davey Terminal) in 1966, the Michael Berry International Terminal in 1974, and the McNamara Terminal in 2002. The airport has continued to grow and expand, with Delta Air Lines becoming a major hub and offering service to numerous international and domestic destinations.
The airport has also experienced several notable incidents, including aircraft crashes and a hijacking in the 1970s and 1980s. Despite these challenges, Detroit Metropolitan Airport has earned numerous awards for customer satisfaction and has become a vital gateway to Detroit and the surrounding region.
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DTW terminal maps and guides
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is a large airport located in Romulus, Michigan, serving the Detroit area. It is Michigan's busiest airport, acting as a crucial hub for domestic and international travel. DTW is easily accessible by public transit, with various bus routes serving the airport and connecting it to downtown Detroit and other areas.
DTW features two main terminals: the McNamara Terminal and the Evans Terminal (also known as Concourse D). The McNamara Terminal is divided into three concourses (A, B, and C) and is mainly used by Delta Air Lines and its partners. It offers an extensive range of amenities, including Delta Sky Clubs, dining options, shops, and direct access to the Westin Hotel. Concourse A is quite long, but passengers can use the moving walkways or the ExpressTram, a high-speed tram, for quicker navigation. The McNamara Terminal also has multiple security checkpoints and digital displays to help passengers avoid crowded lanes.
The Evans Terminal caters to all non-SkyTeam airlines and is relatively smaller, making it easier to navigate on foot. It also has moving walkways for longer distances. A notable feature of this terminal is the Lufthansa Business and Senator Lounge, accessible to passengers flying in Lufthansa premium cabins and select Star Alliance elite members.
Both terminals provide free Wi-Fi, accessible facilities for passengers with disabilities, and family-friendly amenities such as nursing rooms and play areas. DTW also offers efficient transportation services, including on-site rental cars, taxis, and ride-sharing options. A shuttle service connects the two terminals, making inter-terminal travel straightforward.
When navigating DTW, it is recommended to use the interactive terminal maps available on the airport's website. These maps allow users to locate specific gates, restaurants, lounges, security checkpoints, baggage claim areas, and other amenities. Additionally, DTW recommends arriving 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 times.
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Public transport to and from DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is accessible by public transport, with several bus and train connections to the city and beyond.
Bus
The airport is served by the RTA's Detroit Air Xpress (DAX), an express bus service to downtown Detroit. It operates 16 round trips daily, 365 days a year, with tickets available for individuals, groups and commuters.
SMART's FAST Michigan is a limited-stop bus route connecting the airport to Detroit and Dearborn, with connections to the wider regional transit network.
Two local bus routes, operated by SMART, also serve the airport: route 125, which serves communities in the Downriver region of southern Wayne County and both terminals; and route 280, which serves downtown Romulus, western Wayne County suburbs, and the Evans Terminal.
The Michigan Flyer, an intercity bus operated by Indian Trails in partnership with TheRide, offers transit to Ann Arbor, Brighton, and East Lansing.
For connections to southern Ontario, Canada, including Windsor and London, Robert Q Airbus, a private operator, provides service.
Train
The airport is connected to the city by train, with a station located within walking distance of the terminals.
Other Public Transport
Hotel shuttles are available for guests staying at nearby accommodations. AirRide provides transport to the Ann Arbor area from the McNamara Ground Transportation Center.
Taxis and Ride-Shares
Taxis are available at the McNamara Ground Transportation Center on Level 4. Ride-share platforms like Uber and Lyft operate at DTW, with clearly marked pickup and drop-off locations at both terminals. Limousine services can also be arranged through local providers.
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Airlines and destinations from DTW
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, also known as Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its metropolitan area. It is located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan. 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 airport code of Detroit Metropolitan Airport is DTW. It is a large airport with 134 destinations and 18 airlines in scheduled passenger traffic. The route with the most departures is to Chicago (ORD), with an average of 109 flights from Detroit Metropolitan Airport weekly, which is 4% of all weekly departures. The top international destinations are Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL).
The airport has service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States. The longest flight from Detroit Metropolitan Airport is to Shanghai (PVG), a 4,423-mile (7,118 km) non-stop route that takes around 14 hours and 50 minutes. This route is operated by Delta, which is the largest airline at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, with around 2,121 scheduled take-offs every week.
Other airlines operating from Detroit Metropolitan Airport include Aeromexico, Air Canada, Air France, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Icelandair, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United, and WestJet.
The airport has two terminals, Terminal E and Terminal M. The Evans Terminal is home to a Lufthansa Business and Senator Lounge located between Gates D7 and D8. This lounge is accessible to passengers flying in Lufthansa premium cabins and select Lufthansa and Star Alliance elite members. Priority Pass members can also access the lounge outside of peak hours.
The Berry Terminal, named for a former airport commissioner, was the international terminal at DTW until it was replaced by the Evans Terminal in 2008. All international passengers would arrive at this terminal and pass through customs and immigration inspections before continuing to their connecting flights.
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DTW's role in Michigan's aviation
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, commonly known as DTW, is the primary international airport serving Detroit, Michigan, and its surrounding metropolitan area. Located in Romulus, a suburb of Detroit, DTW is Michigan's busiest airport by a significant margin. The airport covers 4,850 acres of land and is a major hub for Delta Air Lines and Spirit Airlines. DTW offers service to 30 international destinations and 39 states across the United States.
DTW plays a crucial role in Michigan's aviation landscape as a large hub primary commercial service facility. Its position as Michigan's primary gateway to the world facilitates the movement of people and goods, contributing to the state's economic viability and competitiveness. The airport's accessibility through various transportation options, including public transit, bus services, and interstate connections, further enhances its role in Michigan's aviation network.
The history of DTW dates back to the 1940s when it was expanded by Wayne County to become Detroit's primary airport. Initially named Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, it underwent significant growth with the addition of multiple runways. The airport continued to evolve, with the construction of terminals such as the Berry Terminal, which served international passengers until its replacement by the Evans Terminal in 2008.
Overall, DTW serves as a vital aviation hub for Michigan, facilitating domestic and international travel, supporting economic growth, and providing a safe and efficient transportation system for passengers and cargo. Its high volume of traffic, modern infrastructure, and connectivity to global destinations solidify DTW's central role in Michigan's aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
DTW stands for Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
DTW is located in Romulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit.
DTW is the primary international airport serving Detroit and its surrounding areas. It is Michigan's busiest airport and acts as a crucial hub for both domestic and international travel.
