Architecture & icons / Romulus
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Red or blue? Detroit’s airport has two terminals and more surprises than you’d expect, from a glowing tunnel to a floating train. Everything for your trip is right here.
Departures · DTW · Detroit
Red or blue?
Detroit has two terminals, at opposite ends of the airport. Only one thing decides which one is yours: who flies the plane. The alliances stick to one terminal each too: SkyTeam is red; Star Alliance and oneworld are blue. Find your airline on the board, or filter by alliance.
Pick an airline on the board.
RED · EM
McNamara
- Who? Delta, Air France, Aeroméxico, WestJet (and KLM flights flown by Delta)
- Alliance: SkyTeam (WestJet is unaligned, a Delta partner)
- Driving: I-275, exit 15 (Eureka Road)
- Parking: McNamara Parking Garage
- Uber, Lyft: garage Level 4
- Buses: Departures level, Door 1
- Inside: red ExpressTram, Light Tunnel, fountain
BLUE · WE
Evans
- Who? Everyone else: Lufthansa, Turkish, American, United, Southwest, Air Canada and more
- Alliance: Star Alliance and oneworld, plus the unaligned airlines
- Driving: I-94, exit 198 (Merriman Road)
- Parking: Big Blue Deck
- Uber, Lyft: Big Blue Deck Level 1
- Buses: Ground Transportation Center, stall 1
- Inside: a single Concourse D with 29 gates
Live · DTW · updates itself
What’s happening at DTW right now?
Security lines, the garage, delays, the airport’s own alerts and the latest news, all in one place. We write every update ourselves from the source; the numbers come live from the airport and the FAA. This band refreshes itself every two minutes.
Updated Detroit time
- Security line · Mcnamara1 minwait right now, as measured by the airport
- Security line · Evans3 minwait right now, as measured by the airport
- McNamara garage · open spaces1,171 spaceslong-term, 86% full · short-term: 292 open
- Parking lots6/6 openAll open: McNamara, Big Blue Deck, Green Lot, valet
- Air traffic (FAA)Normal operationsNo ground stop, delay program or deicing delays
Active airport alerts (4)
- Flights Live departures and arrivals →
- DTW The airport’s official alerts ↗
- Alliance Which alliance, which terminal? →
Latest DTW news 150
CBP K9 Caesar stops undeclared produce at Detroit Metro Airport
CTV News reports that Caesar, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture K9, stopped undeclared produce from entering the country at Detroit Metro Airport in the week of Friday, October 9, 2026.
Source: CTV News ↗
New Global Entry enrollment office coming to McNamara Terminal
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it will open a new Global Entry Enrollment and Trusted Worker office at Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal.
Lufthansa lounge at DTW's Evans Terminal: functional but dated
Inside Flyer reports that the Lufthansa lounge in the Evans Terminal welcomes Star Alliance Gold and Priority Pass members. Wi-Fi is reliable, seating is ample, the buffet is varied and staff are friendly, but the decor is outdated.
Source: www.insideflyer.com ↗
Airport authority auctions off surplus vehicles and equipment
The Wayne County Airport Authority held a virtual public auction through Insurance Auto Auctions on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The public could bid on retired, clear-title fleet vehicles and equipment.
Delta to launch nonstop Detroit–Athens flights in June 2027
CBS News reports that Delta Air Lines is adding a nonstop flight between Detroit Metro Airport and Athens, Greece, with service starting in June 2027.
Source: CBS News ↗
What to know about Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
The El Paso Times reports on what to know about Detroit Metro Airport, DTW.
Source: El Paso Times ↗
McNamara Parking Deck short-term entrance from Departures Level closed
The Wayne County Airport Authority says the short-term entrance to the McNamara Parking Deck from the Level 8 Departures Level closed Monday, October 5, 2026, and is expected to stay closed until February 26, 2027. The short-term entrance ramp on the east side of the deck stays open, so use that one.
Careers in maintenance at the Wayne County Airport Authority
A video on YouTube, posted Wednesday, September 30, 2026, is titled "Wayne County Airport Authority: Careers in Maintenance".
Source: YouTube ↗
McNamara restroom upgrades continue in Concourses A, B and C
The Wayne County Airport Authority says work continues on the restrooms in McNamara Terminal Concourses A, B and C and the Ground Transportation Center. The redesigned restrooms get better lighting, fixtures, flooring and wall tile, baby changing stations and added accessibility.
DTW bond rating points to Delta concentration risk
Traders Union reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority's airport bond rating reflects the risk of Delta's heavy concentration at DTW.
Source: Traders Union ↗
Wayne County Airport Authority bonds keep their AA rating
Traders Union reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority's airport bonds kept their AA rating with a stable outlook.
Source: Traders Union ↗
CBP seizes giant scale insects at DTW in a first for the nation
WWMT reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized a batch of potentially destructive giant scale insects at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The station describes it as a first-in-nation catch.
Source: WWMT ↗ · CBS News ↗
Rare, potentially destructive bugs found at Detroit Metro Airport
Patch reports that rare, potentially destructive bugs were found at DTW. Records show it was the first time the species has been encountered at a U.S. port of entry.
Source: Patch ↗
Never-before-seen giant scale insects intercepted at Detroit Metro
WWJ Newsradio 950, via Audacy, reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Romulus airport intercepted a "first-in-nation" batch of potentially destructive giant scale insects earlier in 2026.
Source: Audacy ↗
Insects first found in the U.S. at Detroit Metro Airport, feds say
The Detroit News reports that federal officials say certain insects were first found in the United States at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Source: The Detroit News ↗
Frontier adds nonstop Detroit–New York LaGuardia flights
Frontier Airlines says it will start nonstop DTW service to New York's LaGuardia Airport in fall 2026, with daily flights during the holiday peak. It is also adding frequencies to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando and Miami, and expects 41% more seats at DTW in March 2027 than in March 2026.
Source: Frontier Airlines ↗
Frontier moves to fill Spirit's gap at Detroit Metro
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Frontier is moving to fill the void left by Spirit's collapse at Detroit Metro Airport.
Source: Crain's Detroit Business ↗
Detroit Metro ranks No. 2 for passenger satisfaction among big airports
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport ranks No. 2 for passenger satisfaction among the largest North American airports.
Source: CBS News ↗
Detroit Metro Airport ranks No. 2 in the 2026 JD Power airport satisfaction study
DBusiness Magazine reports that Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus took second place in the JD Power 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, released Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Source: DBusiness Magazine ↗
Gateside by TSA PreCheck launches at Detroit Metro
The Transportation Security Administration reports it has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Vote for DTW in USA Today's 10Best Large Airport contest
94.7 WCSX reports that Detroit Metro Airport was nominated as Best Large Airport in USA Today's 10Best awards. Leo's Coney Island in the McNamara Terminal also received a nomination.
Source: 94.7 WCSX ↗
TSA's Gateside program lets non-travelers reach the gates at DTW
CBS News reports that TSA's new Gateside program allows non-travelers to get to the gates at Detroit Metro and 12 other airports. TSA describes it as a program that makes things easier for members.
Source: CBS News ↗
Meet someone at the gate at DTW? Gateside by TSA PreCheck is here
Audacy reports that the TSA has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, which lets TSA PreCheck members enter secure terminal areas without a boarding pass. Detroit Metro rolled it out in limited form.
Source: Audacy ↗
DTW nominated for USA Today's 10Best Large Airport award
WXYZ reports that Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is nominated as Best Large Airport in USA Today's 10Best awards, and voting is open.
Source: WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗
DTW among 13 airports where some visitors can enter terminals without a ticket
WTOL reports that Detroit Metro Airport is one of 13 airports where some visitors can access the terminals without a ticket.
Source: wtol.com ↗
Upgraded Points publishes a terminal guide to Detroit Metro Airport
The Upgraded Points guide to DTW covers hotels, getting between terminals, car rental and phone numbers.
Source: Upgraded Points ↗
Potentially destructive moth intercepted at Detroit Metro Airport
WILX reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection calls the moth intercepted at Detroit Metro Airport a "first-in-the-nation" interception.
Foreign moth found at Detroit Metro for the first time in the U.S.
The Detroit News reports that federal officials found a foreign moth for the first time in the United States at Detroit Metro Airport.
Source: The Detroit News ↗
Rare moth found in luggage at Detroit Metro Airport
ClickOnDetroit reports that Customs and Border Protection found a possibly destructive moth during a routine inspection at DTW this year. Officials said it is a first-in-the-nation interception.
Source: ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗
Amazon adds 300,000-plus square feet near Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Amazon has added more than 300,000 square feet to its portfolio near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Source: Crain's Detroit Business ↗
We write these updates ourselves, in our own words, from the airport, a news search and Detroit outlets; read the full story at the source. Live numbers come from the airport’s public measurements and the FAA. We keep every story: browse them in the news archive near the end of this guide.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
It started on a Wayne County farm field in 1930, and today some 33 million people a year begin or end a trip here. Detroit is Delta’s second-biggest base, and the airport has two terminals, one at each end. Red is McNamara: home to Delta and its partners, with a red ExpressTram gliding under the ceiling. Blue is Evans, with the Big Blue Deck garage: that’s where everyone else flies, from Lufthansa to Turkish. And if you arrive early, there’s plenty to see: a fountain dances in McNamara’s nearly mile-long concourse, and beneath it waits a tunnel that changes color to music.
- Red McNamara and blue Evans: find out which is yours in thirty seconds
- The Light Tunnel: 700 feet of light and music under the concourses
- A mile-long concourse, a floating train and a dancing fountain
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
Is this your venue? Update this page for free ↗
¼ · Stay
Sleep right around the corner
See it in motion
The player connects to YouTube only when you click. The film may show an earlier state of the place.
The player connects to YouTube only when you click. The film may show an earlier state of the place.
The player connects to YouTube only when you click. The film may show an earlier state of the place.
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-09-25
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
Historical background: Wikipedia and its contributors; article licenses and revision histories are available on the source pages.
In-depth airport guide
Everything worth knowing about DTW
Some 33 million people start or end a trip here every year, and nearly all of them ask the same thing: which terminal is mine? That’s where we start. Then comes everything else a good trip needs: parking, buses, phone numbers, airlines, a bit of history, and the airport’s secrets that most people rush past without noticing.
Checked: 2026-09-25
01 / Which terminal is mine?Which terminal is mine?
Red · “EM” · from I-275
McNamara
Delta’s home turf: a concourse nearly a mile long, with a red train gliding under the ceiling.
- Who flies here?
- Delta (plus its Delta Connection regional jets), Air France, Aeroméxico, WestJet and Vacation Express charters. Holding a KLM or Virgin Atlantic ticket? You land here too, because Delta flies the plane.
- Code on your pass
- EM, for Edward McNamara
- Gates
- Concourses A (64), B (17) and C (41): 122 in all
- Checkpoints
- Known to the TSA as Red 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6
- Garage
- McNamara Parking Garage, 11,500 spaces
- Driving
- I-275 exit 15 (Eureka Road), then John D. Dingell Drive
- Uber, Lyft
- Garage Level 4
- Address
- 2596 Worldgateway Place, Detroit, MI 48242
Blue · “WE” · from I-94
Evans
Everyone else. Smaller and easier to read; it was the North Terminal until 2022.
- Who flies here?
- Air Canada, Alaska, American, Avelo, Frontier, JetBlue, Lufthansa, Royal Jordanian, Southwest, Sun Country, Turkish Airlines, United, Volaris and Apple Vacations charters
- Code on your pass
- WE, for Warren Evans (older passes say N, for North)
- Gates
- A single Concourse D with 29 gates
- Checkpoints
- Known to the TSA as Blue 1 and 2
- Garage
- Big Blue Deck
- Driving
- I-94 exit 198 (Merriman Road), then Rogell Drive
- Uber, Lyft
- Big Blue Deck Level 1
- Address
- Type “DTW Evans Terminal” into your GPS (it has no single official street address)
How to make it stick
- Red, like Delta. McNamara has a red train, the ExpressTram; the TSA numbers its checkpoints Red 1 to Red 6; and Delta’s logo is red.
- Blue, like the Big Blue Deck. That’s the name of Evans’s parking garage, and its two checkpoints are Blue 1 and Blue 2.
- North is Evans, south is McNamara. I-94 (Merriman Road) takes you to Evans; I-275 (Eureka Road) takes you to McNamara.
- EM and WE are the initials of the two namesakes: Edward McNamara and Warren Evans.
- Flying in from Europe? Via Amsterdam (KLM, Delta) or Paris (Air France, Delta) you land at red; via Frankfurt (Lufthansa) or Istanbul (Turkish), at blue.
A bit of honesty: the colors weren’t invented for travelers; the TSA and airport operations use them as internal names. On the road signs, look for McNamara or Evans. As a memory trick, though, red and blue work perfectly.
Sources: DTW Airline Directory (EM/WE) · DTW FAQ: what does EM stand for · DTW airport history (Terminal 1, Terminal 2) · TSA wait times: DTW checkpoints · RadioReference: DTW · DTW: which parking garage · DTW transfer between gates · Wikipedia: ExpressTram
Back to contents ↑02 / Which alliance flies from which terminal?Which alliance flies from which terminal?
Red terminal · from I-275
McNamara EM
SkyTeamfounded 2000 · 18 members
- Delta Air Lineswith Delta Connection regional jets; Detroit is its second-biggest hub
- Air Franceto Paris (CDG)
- Aeroméxicoto Monterrey and Querétaro, on Aeroméxico Connect
These tickets bring you here too: KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Korean Air. They don’t fly their own planes to Detroit; Delta operates the flight from here. Heading to Budapest: Delta to Amsterdam, then KLM, or via Paris on Air France.
Lounges: five Delta Sky Clubs (A18, A38, A43, A68, and between gates B2 and C9).
Unaligned
- WestJeta Delta partner, which is why it’s here; to Calgary, Halifax and Vancouver
- Vacation Expresscharter flights
Blue terminal · from I-94
Evans WE
Star Alliancefounded 1997 · 26 members
- United Airlineswith United Express regional jets
- Air Canadato Toronto, and Montreal in season, on Air Canada Express
- Lufthansato Frankfurt
- Turkish Airlinesto Istanbul
Heading to Budapest: Lufthansa via Frankfurt or Turkish via Istanbul, on one ticket; in summer also Air Canada via Toronto, which has a nonstop to Budapest.
Lounge: Lufthansa’s lounge near gate D8, the only airline lounge in Evans. There’s no United Club in Detroit.
oneworldfounded 1999 · 15 members
- American Airlineswith American Eagle regional jets
- Alaska Airlines
- Royal Jordanianto Amman
Heading to Budapest: in summer, American via Philadelphia, which has a seasonal nonstop to Budapest; or British Airways via London, Finnair via Helsinki.
Lounge: there’s no oneworld lounge in Detroit, and no Admirals Club either.
Unaligned
- Southwest
- Frontier
- JetBlue
- Avelo
- Sun Country
- Volaris
- Apple Vacationscharter flights
DTW’s airlines by alliance and terminal. The airline list comes from the airport’s official directory, memberships from the alliances’ own sites.
| Alliance | Founded | Members worldwide | At DTW | Terminal | Lounge at DTW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyTeam | 2000 | 18 | Delta, Air France, Aeroméxico; KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air tickets on Delta planes | McNamara (red) | 5 Delta Sky Clubs |
| Star Alliance | May 14, 1997 | 26 (Asiana leaves December 16, 2026) | United, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines | Evans (blue) | Lufthansa lounge near gate D8 |
| oneworld | February 1, 1999 | 15 (Hawaiian joined with Alaska on April 23, 2026) | American, Alaska, Royal Jordanian | Evans (blue) | none |
| Unaligned | — | — | WestJet (Delta partner); Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue, Avelo, Sun Country, Volaris | WestJet: McNamara (red) · the rest: Evans (blue) | none of their own |
Member counts per the alliances’ own sites on October 9, 2026. ITA Airways became Star Alliance’s 26th member on April 1, 2026; it doesn’t fly to Detroit.
Connecting between alliances in Detroit
- Switching alliances, say from Delta to Lufthansa? Then you switch terminals too. There’s no airside link between them: head out to the Ground Transportation Center and take the Terminal to Terminal/Westin shuttle, which the airport says runs about every ten minutes. You go through security again in the other terminal.
- How much time? The airport says 40 minutes can be enough for a domestic connection on the same airline, but allow more if you change airlines or terminals or fly abroad. For a terminal change, we’d leave at least two hours.
- Your bags: the airport asks you to check at the counter when you start your trip whether your bag goes through to your final stop. On two separate tickets it usually doesn’t: you pick it up in Detroit and check it again.
- Miles and status work within the alliance: fly Lufthansa or Turkish and credit United MileagePlus, fly Air France and credit Delta SkyMiles. JetBlue and United’s Blue Sky partnership is neither an alliance nor a codeshare: you can earn and spend points with either, and each sells the other’s flights.
Lounges: where they are and who gets in
- McNamara: five Delta Sky Clubs. At gate A18 (above the ExpressTram South Station), A38 (the main club), A43 (the newest, open since December 2021), A68 (above the ExpressTram North Station), and between gates B2 and C9.
- Who gets into a Sky Club? For example SkyTeam Elite Plus members on a same-day international SkyTeam flight (any cabin), travelers on an international SkyTeam business or first class ticket, and Delta One passengers. Entry is at most three hours before departure (connections excepted) and not on Basic Economy. Delta’s site has the full rules.
- Delta One: there’s dedicated Delta One check-in at Door 4 on McNamara’s Departures level. A Delta One Lounge is planned for Detroit too, with no date yet.
- Evans: Lufthansa’s lounge, near gate D8, the only airline lounge in the terminal. Star Alliance Gold gets you in on a same-day Star Alliance flight in any cabin, and so does Priority Pass: per Priority Pass it’s open 6 a.m.–noon and 5–8 p.m. on Mondays, with a three-hour maximum stay.
- Not in Detroit: a United Club, an Admirals Club or any oneworld lounge, and no American Express Centurion, Chase Sapphire or Capital One lounge either.
- For service members and veterans: the volunteer-run Freedom Center has lounges near gate A43 in McNamara and gate D17 in Evans.
Sources: DTW Airline Directory · SkyTeam: about & members · Star Alliance member airlines · Star Alliance lounge access policy · oneworld members · Delta airline partners · Delta Sky Club access · Delta Detroit media kit · Delta One check-in expands across hubs · Priority Pass: DTW · DTW FAQ (lounges, connections, bags) · DTW: transfer between gates · DTW: shuttle services · DTW Freedom Center · AeroRoutes: WestJet codes on Delta (2026-07-15) · FlightMapper: AF3605, Delta-operated DTW–CDG
Back to contents ↑03 / DTW at a glanceDTW at a glance
- passengers in 2025
- 33.4 millionThe peak was 36.8 million, in 2019
- international passengers in 2025
- 3.69 million+17%, more than ever
- flights a day
- about 800more than one every two minutes
- cities nonstop
- 125+on three continents
- airlines
- 17as of September 2026
- takeoffs and landings in 2025
- 321,759up 6% on the year before
- runways
- 6the longest is 12,003 ft
- gates in use
- 133McNamara 104, Evans 29
- parking spaces
- 18,164two garages and the Green Lot
- in the US
- 18thby boardings (FAA, 2025, preliminary)
- flown by Delta
- 71.8%of boardings in 2025
- area
- about 4,850 acresper the FAA; the airport’s 2025 financial report says 7,342 acres
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Official name | Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport |
| Codes | IATA: DTW · ICAO: KDTW · FAA: DTW |
| Where | Romulus, Wayne County, Michigan, about 18 miles southwest of downtown Detroit |
| Coordinates | 42.2138° N, 83.3538° W |
| Time zone | Eastern Time (EST/EDT), six hours behind Budapest |
| Run by | Since 2002, the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), which pays its own way with no tax dollars for operations. CEO Chad Newton; FY2026 budget about $500 million. |
| What it’s worth to the region | $10.2 billion a year and more than 86,000 jobs (per a 2014 study, the latest there is) |
| Home team | Delta Air Lines, for which Detroit is the second-biggest base |
Sources: WCAA aviation statistics · WCAA calendar year 2025 report (PDF) · FAA passenger boarding data · DTW about · WCAA facts & figures
Back to contents ↑04 / Who flies from here, and where to?Who flies from here, and where to?
As of September 2026, 17 airlines fly scheduled service from DTW: about 800 flights a day to more than 125 cities on three continents. The star of the show is Delta. Detroit is its second-biggest base, with more than 348 departures on a peak day to 106 destinations, 15 of them abroad.
Same rule as above: Delta and its partners fly from red, McNamara; everyone else from blue, Evans. Gates are assigned on the day; you’ll find yours on your boarding pass and the screens. Who belongs to which alliance, and which alliance uses which terminal, has its own section.
| Airline | Terminal | Alliance | Reservations, customer service | Baggage (DTW) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines + Delta Connection | McNamara (red) | SkyTeam | +1 (800) 221-1212 | +1 (800) 325-8224 | delta.com ↗ |
| Air France | McNamara (red) | SkyTeam | +1 (800) 237-2747 | +1 (800) 325-8224 | airfrance.us ↗ |
| Aeroméxico (Aeroméxico Connect) | McNamara (red) | SkyTeam | +1 (800) 237-6639 | — | aeromexico.com ↗ |
| WestJet | McNamara (red) | none; Delta partner | +1 (888) 937-8538 | +1 (866) 666-6224 | westjet.com ↗ |
| Air Canada (Air Canada Express) | Evans (blue) | Star Alliance | +1 (888) 247-2262 | — | aircanada.com ↗ |
| Alaska Airlines | Evans (blue) | oneworld | +1 (800) 252-7522 | +1 (734) 229-1243 | alaskaair.com ↗ |
| American Airlines + American Eagle | Evans (blue) | oneworld | +1 (800) 433-7300 | +1 (734) 840-9101 | aa.com ↗ |
| Avelo Airlines | Evans (blue) | none (unaligned) | +1 (346) 616-9500 | — | aveloair.com ↗ |
| Frontier Airlines | Evans (blue) | none (unaligned) | +1 (801) 401-9000 | +1 (313) 263-3088 | flyfrontier.com ↗ |
| JetBlue | Evans (blue) | none; United’s Blue Sky partner | +1 (800) 538-2583 | — | jetblue.com ↗ |
| Lufthansa | Evans (blue) | Star Alliance | +1 (800) 645-3880 | — | lufthansa.com ↗ |
| Royal Jordanian | Evans (blue) | oneworld | +1 (212) 949-0050 | — | rj.com ↗ |
| Southwest Airlines | Evans (blue) | none (unaligned) | +1 (800) 435-9792 | +1 (734) 784-2430 | southwest.com ↗ |
| Sun Country Airlines | Evans (blue) | none (unaligned) | +1 (651) 905-2737 | — | suncountry.com ↗ |
| Turkish Airlines | Evans (blue) | Star Alliance | +1 (800) 874-8875 | — | turkishairlines.com ↗ |
| United Airlines + United Express | Evans (blue) | Star Alliance | +1 (800) 864-8331 | +1 (734) 442-5713 | united.com ↗ |
| Volaris | Evans (blue) | none (unaligned) | +1 (855) 865-2747 | — | volaris.com ↗ |
Source: the airport’s official airline directory. WestJet’s reservations number comes from WestJet’s own site, because the airport lists its baggage line under reservations. Charters: Apple Vacations (Evans, +1 (800) 517-2000) and Vacation Express (McNamara, +1 (800) 309-4717).
| Region | Destination | Airline | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | Amsterdam (AMS) | Delta | The most popular international route: 485,633 passengers in a year (Jun 2025 – May 2026) |
| Europe | Paris (CDG) | Delta, Air France | Number two: 387,879 passengers |
| Europe | Frankfurt (FRA) | Lufthansa, Delta | About 14 weekly flights between them |
| Europe | London (LHR) | Delta | Year-round |
| Europe | Rome (FCO) | Delta | Paused Jan 4 – Mar 7, 2027 |
| Europe | Munich (MUC) | Delta | Daily since 2025; some sources call it seasonal |
| Europe | Dublin (DUB) | Delta | Summers, since May 2025 |
| Europe | Reykjavík (KEF) | Delta | Summers |
| Europe / Asia | Istanbul (IST) | Turkish Airlines | Since November 15, 2023, on a Boeing 787-9 |
| Middle East | Amman (AMM) | Royal Jordanian | Boeing 787 |
| Asia | Tokyo (HND) | Delta | — |
| Asia | Seoul (ICN) | Delta | — |
| Asia | Shanghai (PVG) | Delta | — |
| Mexico | Mexico City, Cancún | Delta (Frontier also flies to Cancún) | — |
| Mexico | Monterrey, Querétaro | Aeroméxico Connect | — |
| Mexico | Guadalajara | Volaris | Since June 1, 2026, three times a week |
| Mexico | Puerto Vallarta, San José del Cabo | Delta | Seasonal |
| Caribbean | Aruba, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Nassau, Providenciales, Punta Cana, Liberia (Costa Rica) | Delta | Seasonal; San Juan (Puerto Rico) year-round |
| Canada | Toronto, Montréal | Delta Connection, Air Canada Express | Air Canada flies to Montréal seasonally |
| Canada | Calgary, Halifax, Vancouver | WestJet | Seasonal |
Within the US, Delta flies nonstop to almost every big city, from Atlanta to Honolulu, and Delta Connection’s small jets reach Michigan’s smaller airports: Alpena, Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Marquette, Pellston, Saginaw, Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City. By late 2026 Frontier will fly 15 Detroit routes, 11 of them inherited from Spirit.
Sources: DTW Airline Directory · Delta Media Kit: Detroit · Wikipedia: Detroit Metropolitan Airport · WDIV: Spirit ceases operations (2026-05-02) · Frontier newsroom (2026-09-17) · Volaris at DTW
Back to contents ↑05 / Between Detroit and BudapestBetween Detroit and Budapest
| Connect in | From Detroit | On to Budapest | Detroit terminal | Our take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amsterdam (AMS) | Delta, several a day, year-round | KLM | McNamara (red) | The best SkyTeam route, one ticket |
| Paris (CDG) | Delta / Air France | Air France | McNamara (red) | Very good, one ticket |
| Frankfurt (FRA) | Lufthansa (or Delta) | Lufthansa | Evans (Lufthansa) / McNamara (Delta) | Very good if you fly Lufthansa all the way (Star Alliance) |
| Istanbul (IST) | Turkish Airlines | Turkish Airlines | Evans (blue) | Good, just a detour east |
| Munich (MUC) | Delta | Lufthansa | McNamara (red) | Probably two separate tickets (different alliances) |
| Toronto (YYZ) | Air Canada Express | Air Canada (summer) | Evans (blue) | A summer option |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | American | American (summer) | Evans (blue) | A summer option |
| Dublin, Reykjavík, Rome | Delta | Low-cost (e.g. Wizz Air, Ryanair) | McNamara (red) | Only as a self-transfer on separate tickets |
“Probably two separate tickets” is inferred from the alliances; we didn’t check fare rules. On separate tickets, if the first flight is late and you miss the second, that’s your problem to sort out.
Flying home, there’s no passport control in Detroit; only the airline checks your documents. Coming in, you enter the US at your first American airport, so on a nonstop from Europe that’s Detroit. If you connect here to a domestic or Canadian flight, allow at least two hours: after customs you go through security again.
Sources: DTW Airline Directory · Budapest Airport (Wikipedia) · Air France–KLM, Delta, Virgin Atlantic JV
Back to contents ↑06 / Driving to the airportDriving to the airport
The airport is in Romulus, about 18 miles (29 km) southwest of downtown Detroit. Before you get in the car, check which terminal you’re flying from: each one has its own freeway, and the signs split before you even leave the highway.
| Terminal | Freeway, exit | Then | Drop-off | Pick-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evans (blue) | I-94, exit 198 (Merriman Road) | Merriman Road turns into Rogell Drive and takes you to the terminal and the Big Blue Deck | Departures level (upper) | Arrivals level (lower) |
| McNamara (red) | I-275, exit 15 (Eureka Road) | Eureka Road, then John D. Dingell Drive to the terminal and garage | Departures level | Domestic Arrivals level, or the separate International Arrivals level |
The two entrances are joined by John D. Dingell Drive, completed in 1999. To return a rental car, follow the “Rental Car Return” signs to Lucas Drive.
- For your GPS: McNamara is 2596 Worldgateway Place, Detroit, MI 48242; the Westin is 2501 Worldgateway Place. Evans has no single official address (sources disagree), so just type “DTW Evans Terminal” or “Big Blue Deck”.
- Picking someone up? There are two free cell phone lots where you can wait until they call. The North lot (for Evans) is on East Service Drive near Lucas Drive, by the rental car lots. The South lot (for McNamara) is on the south side of Eureka Road between I-275 and the airport ramp, with two EV chargers. You have to stay in your car.
- Want to meet them inside? Park in short-term. For international arrivals, expect a longer wait because of customs.
- Live traffic: MDOT’s Mi Drive; the airport posts road work on its own site.
Sources: DTW pick-up & drop-off · DTW traffic & driving · Evans terminal & parking map (PDF) · CBP port 3807 (McNamara address)
Back to contents ↑07 / ParkingParking
| Facility | Terminal | 1 hour | Daily maximum | One week (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McNamara short-term (Level 6) | McNamara (red) | $6 | $44 | $308 |
| Big Blue Deck short-term | Evans (blue) | $6 | $43 | $301 |
| McNamara long-term | McNamara (red) | $6 | $32 | $224 |
| Big Blue Deck long-term | Evans (blue) | $6 | $23 | $161 |
| Green Lot | Both, by shuttle | — | $20 flat | $140 |
| Valet | McNamara (red) | $12 (up to 2 h) | $51 | $357 |
Every card payment adds a 2.65% fee. We worked out the week column ourselves (seven times the daily maximum, before the fee); there’s no official weekly rate. You can’t reserve a space: first come, first served. The Green Lot, and valet since June 22, 2026, take cards only. Short-term is $4 up to 30 minutes, then climbs in steps.
- Where’s a free space? The “Spaces Open” box on the airport home page shows it live, and so does the Park Assist app. Since July 2026 a $25 million system has been guiding drivers in the McNamara garage: a light above every space glows green if it’s free, red if it’s taken, blue if it’s accessible. The Big Blue Deck gets it by late 2026.
- EV charging: 20 free ChargePoint chargers in total (you still pay for parking): 8 on Big Blue Deck Level 4, 8 on McNamara Level 8, 2 at valet and 2 in the South cell phone lot. EVs with unrepaired safety recalls can’t park at the airport.
- Tall vehicle? Most of the garage space fits vehicles under 7 feet. Vans up to 8′2″ can use McNamara Level 2 by the B elevators or Big Blue Deck Level 1, zones A and B; anything taller goes to the Green Lot.
- Parking is free for Michigan residents with a disability placard and a free-parking sticker.
- Trouble? The 24-hour parking line is +1 (800) 642-1978 (0 jump-start, flat tire, air; 3 space availability; 5 shuttles). Can’t find your car: +1 (734) 247-6734.
- Private lots operate nearby (Merriman, Middlebelt and Wick roads) with their own shuttles; we haven’t checked their prices. In 2026 parking-broker sites claimed McNamara had gone up to $36 and the Big Blue Deck had closed. On September 25 neither the official rate table nor the airport’s live data showed that.
Sources: DTW short-term parking · DTW long-term parking · DTW valet · DTW EV parking · DTW parking guidance system (2026-07-17) · DTW parking
Back to contents ↑08 / By bus, taxi, Uber or rental carBy bus, taxi, Uber or rental car
At McNamara, buses stop on the Departures level outside Door 1 (by international check-in, Air France and Aeroméxico); at Evans, at Ground Transportation Center stall 1, through the glass doors marked “Public Transit”. At both terminals the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) is in the parking garage, across the skybridge.
For live departures and every other Michigan service, see our Transit section’s DTW page.
| Service | Route | Fare | How often | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAX (Detroit Air Xpress) | Downtown (1119 Washington Blvd, between Michigan Ave and State St) ↔ McNamara ↔ Evans, nonstop | $6 online in advance, $8 on board; $4 reduced | 16 trips a day from 3:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., holidays included | 30–50 min |
| SMART FAST Michigan 261 | Evans → McNamara → Dearborn (Amtrak) → Corktown → Rosa Parks Transit Center → downtown | $2 ($0.50 reduced; students free with ID) | Weekdays 35 trips, roughly every half hour, about 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.; less often on weekends | McNamara to Rosa Parks TC about 50–65 min |
| SMART 125 (Fort St–Eureka Rd) | Both terminals ↔ Downriver ↔ Jefferson & Coolidge | $2 | Weekdays 36 trips each way | — |
| SMART 280 (Middlebelt South) | Evans only ↔ Middlebelt Road ↔ Old Redford | $2 | Weekdays 18 trips | — |
| Michigan Flyer / AirRide | East Lansing – Brighton – Ann Arbor (500 E. Washington St) – McNamara – Evans | From Ann Arbor $16, round trip $27; East Lansing $35 / $60 (online; $3–6 more on board) | 14 round trips a day | About 40 min from Ann Arbor, about 2 h from East Lansing |
| Froggy (Toledo, Ohio) | Toledo, Franklin Park (4242 Royer Rd) ↔ McNamara ↔ Evans | $34.99 per person, cheaper for groups | Mon–Sat 3 trips, Sun 2 | 50–64 min |
| Robert Q Airbus (Canada) | London (Ontario), Windsor, Chatham and other Ontario towns ↔ DTW, via the Gordie Howe Bridge | From London CAD 127.96 | 5 trips a day | About 3 h 15 min from London, border included |
Timetables: SMART September 7, 2026 to January 3, 2027; Michigan Flyer from September 21, 2026. Robert Q stops at McNamara at GTC ground level, Door 413 (“Canadian Scheduled Shuttles”), and at Evans usually at stall 3.
- By train: no train goes to the airport. Your best bet is Amtrak’s Wolverine to Dearborn (John D. Dingell Transit Center), where FAST 261 takes you to both terminals in 40–50 minutes without a change. From Ann Arbor, Michigan Flyer is easier.
- From Windsor: the Tunnel Bus (LINQ) only goes to downtown Detroit ($19); carry on by DAX or FAST 261.
- Intercity coaches (Greyhound, Barons, FlixBus) use the downtown bus station (1001 Howard St) and don’t stop at the airport.
| How | McNamara (red) | Evans (blue) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi, sedan | GTC Level 4, center | GTC upper level | Metro Cab +1 (734) 997-6500, Metro Cars +1 (800) 456-1701. There’s no official fare table; budget around $60 to downtown (Checker’s flat rate from downtown to the airport). |
| Uber, Lyft | Garage Level 4 (from the bridge, down in the Level 6 elevators) | Big Blue Deck Level 1 | You can only get in at the marked area. Uber says the average from Midtown is about $56 and 33 minutes. |
| Rental car | Free shuttle from the GTC | Free shuttle from the GTC | The companies are on Lucas Drive, in the airport’s northeast corner; there are no desks in the terminals. |
| Hotel and parking shuttles | GTC | GTC | The Terminal-to-Terminal/Westin shuttle runs about every 10 minutes |
| Pre-booked limousine | Baggage claim or GTC | Baggage claim or GTC | No touting allowed; pre-booked rides only |
| Company | Phone | Address (Lucas Drive, Detroit, MI 48242) |
|---|---|---|
| Alamo | +1 (800) 327-9633 | 338 Lucas Dr |
| Avis | +1 (800) 331-1212 | 295 Lucas Dr |
| Budget | +1 (800) 527-0700 | 295 Lucas Dr |
| Dollar | +1 (800) 421-6878 | 334 Lucas Dr |
| Enterprise | +1 (800) 325-8007 | 330 Lucas Dr |
| Hertz | +1 (800) 654-3131 | 289 Lucas Dr |
| National | +1 (800) 227-7368 | 338 Lucas Dr |
| Payless | +1 (800) 729-5377 | 295 Lucas Dr |
| Thrifty | +1 (800) 367-2277 | 334 Lucas Dr |
| American RAC | +1 (734) 494-2444 | 29111 Wick Rd, Romulus (separate site) |
Sources: DTW public transportation · DAX · SMART FAST · SMART fares · Michigan Flyer · TheRide AirRide · Froggy Transportation · Robert Q Airbus · DTW rideshare · DTW taxis & sedans · DTW rental cars · Amtrak Dearborn
Back to contents ↑09 / Security, passports and customsSecurity, passports and customs
| Terminal | Where are the checkpoints? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| McNamara (red) | Two in the Level 3 ticketing hall, one on the bridge from the garage (Level 2) and one in the Westin hotel | At least one is always open, day and night |
| Evans (blue) | Two six-lane checkpoints in the ticketing hall | Closed roughly 10:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m. (can vary with late flights) |
- TSA PreCheck lanes are in both terminals, opening at 4:30 a.m. Delta’s facial-recognition Touchless ID works in both too.
- CLEAR: McNamara Mon–Sat 4 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun 4 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Evans Sun–Fri 4 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Sat 4 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Sign up for PreCheck or CLEAR at Door 4 on McNamara’s Departures level, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Once you’re through security, you can only switch terminals outside, since there’s no airside link. After the shuttle, you line up again.
- Want to walk someone to the gate? That’s what the Destination Pass is for: apply on the airport site; kiosks are on both Departures levels and in the Westin lobby.
| Program | Where | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Global Entry | Evans Terminal CBP office | Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–4 p.m., +1 (734) 941-7668; Enrollment on Arrival also available |
| Detroit Global Entry center | 3033 Porter Street, Detroit, MI 48216 | +1 (313) 964-5979 (ext. 2020) |
| TSA PreCheck | McNamara, Door 4 (run by CLEAR) | Also nearby: Woodhaven, Canton, Northville, Farmington Hills |
| Mobile Passport Control | Both terminals | For US citizens and some visitors |
Sources: DTW security checkpoints · DTW Customs & Border Protection · CBP: Detroit Metropolitan Airport port 3807 · CLEAR at DTW · CBP: Mobile Passport Control at DTW · DTW Destination Pass
Back to contents ↑10 / When should you leave home?When should you leave home?
| If… | Be there this early | Also worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| you’re flying domestic | 2 hours | With Delta, drop your bag at least 45 minutes before departure and be at the gate 15 minutes before |
| you’re flying international | 3 hours | With Delta, check-in closes 60 minutes and boarding 45 minutes before departure |
| you park at the Green Lot | +30 minutes | You still need the shuttle to the terminal |
| you’re switching terminals | at least 2 hours | A shuttle every ten minutes, then security again, and customs too after an international arrival |
| you’re connecting within McNamara | whatever your airline requires | A to B/C through the Light Tunnel; end to end in Concourse A by ExpressTram |
The airport’s own pages don’t agree (anything from 90 minutes to 2 hours for domestic), so your airline’s rule is what counts. The airport doesn’t publish an official minimum connection time.
- The airport home page shows live security wait times (at 9 a.m. on September 25: 5 minutes at Evans, 3 at McNamara). The TSA’s MyTSA app tells you when crowds are expected.
- Early mornings are busiest because of business travelers, as are the days before holidays and the start of Michigan school breaks.
- Evans security closes overnight, roughly 10:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.; one McNamara checkpoint is always open.
Sources: DTW FAQ · Delta domestic check-in times · Delta international check-in times · DTW connecting passengers
Back to contents ↑11 / Inside the terminalsInside the terminals
McNamara’s Concourse A is nearly a mile (about 1.6 km) long, with 64 gates. The red ExpressTram glides under the ceiling and links its ends with three stops: South (A1–A28), Terminal (A29–A55) and North (A56–A78). Concourses B and C (17 and 41 gates, mostly smaller planes) are reached through the underground Light Tunnel. The ExpressTram only runs in Concourse A, not to B/C or Evans.
Evans is a single Concourse D with 29 gates, 8 of them international. It’s smaller and easy to read; even the farthest gate is a few minutes’ walk from security.
| Looking for | McNamara (red) | Evans (blue) |
|---|---|---|
| Lounges | 5 Delta Sky Clubs: A18, A38 (the biggest), A43 (since 2021), A68 and at the B/C entrance (between C9 and B2). No Delta One lounge, just Delta One check-in at Door 4. | Lufthansa Business Lounge by D8; with Priority Pass 6 a.m.–noon and 5–8 p.m., up to 3 hours. Amex Platinum access ends October 1, 2026. |
| Downtime | Gameway video-game lounges (near A17 and A63, Priority Pass accepted), Be Relax Spa (A43–A45), a shower via the Westin’s fitness package. Minute Suites appears to have closed in spring 2026. | Anita’s Kitchen, which takes Priority Pass |
| Food and shops | About 50 places to eat and 43 to shop, e.g. Andiamo, Buddy’s Pizza, Leo’s Coney Island, Plum Market with Zingerman’s, Sora sushi. Corktown Place is the airport’s first 24/7 store (since February 21, 2025). | About 20 places to eat and 21 to shop, e.g. Atwater Brewery, Jolly Pumpkin, Chick-fil-A, Detroit Street Cafe, Quix Chocolate, LEGO |
| Nursing rooms | A18, A25, A53, A63, C2 | Across from D8, D15, D24 |
| Kids | Family restrooms all along the concourse | Play area at D16 (under 4s) |
| Sensory room | Across from A36, 24/7, access code by phone (since November 2024) | — |
| Quiet room | Central Link | Near D17 |
| For dogs | After security by A34; before security outside International Arrivals | After security across from D16; before security at both ends of the Departures curb |
| Money | ATMs all along the concourse, a currency-exchange machine in the Central Link | ATMs across from D6, D17 and D26, a currency machine by D9 |
| Military | Freedom Center near A43, +1 (734) 247-2762 | Freedom Center near D17, +1 (734) 247-1084 |
- Wi-Fi: free, no login. Join “Detroit Airport Wi-Fi”, then choose “Free Wi-Fi” in your browser.
- What you won’t find: a pharmacy, luggage storage or a USO lounge. Luggage carts (Smarte Carte) cost $7 and can’t go past security.
- Water: refill stations in both terminals. Smoking only outside, in designated spots.
- Accessibility: ask the airport police at the TSA checkpoints for a Hidden Disabilities sunflower lanyard. Wheelchairs are free (tipping is customary); request one from your airline. Self-driving wheelchairs have run since 2025, at Evans since April 13, 2026.
- Helping hands: volunteers in royal blue (Airport Ambassadors) staff the information desks, with phone interpreting. Therapy dogs (DTW Dogs) pop up at the gates too.
Sources: DTW transportation within terminal · DTW services & amenities · DTW FAQ · Priority Pass: DTW · DTW nursing rooms · DTW multi-sensory room · DTW accessibility
Back to contents ↑12 / A light tunnel, a fountain and a floating trainA light tunnel, a fountain and a floating train
If you have half an hour before boarding, don’t just sit at the gate. McNamara is the work of Detroit’s SmithGroup; sources call its Concourse A the longest straight concourse in America, second in the world only to Terminal 1 at Osaka’s Kansai airport. At its center, the Central Link, you’ll find Delta’s biggest Sky Club, the fountain, and the escalator down into the Light Tunnel.
| What to see | Where | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Light Tunnel | McNamara, underground between Concourse A and B/C, beneath the apron and two taxiways | About 700 feet (213 m) long, with roughly 9,000 feet of glass panels lit by LEDs that shift to an original score. Northwest unveiled it in October 2001, and it was one of America’s first big color-changing LED installations. The music is by Victor Alexeeff, the glass by Pontiac artist Laurel Fyfe, the lighting design by Marcus Wuebker. The show’s two movements, “Ethereal” and “Nature”, run 27 minutes together. If the light and sound are too much, a button at each end pauses it for 5 minutes. A $3 million refurbishment is budgeted for 2026–27. |
| Fountain | McNamara, center of Concourse A | By WET Design, the firm behind the Bellagio fountains. It’s 39 feet (12 m) wide and inspired by the lines of a flight map. Glassy, perfectly smooth jets arc from nozzle to nozzle over a black granite slab, looking like bent glass rods. Coins tossed in go to charity. |
| ExpressTram | McNamara, above Concourse A | In 2002 it was the world’s first airport train running inside a terminal building. Its 3,700-foot (1.1 km) guideway rides 21 feet (6.4 m) above the floor. The two 2-car trains are pulled by cable and float on air cushions (Otis Hovair). Each carries 208 people from one end of the concourse to the other in under 3 minutes. It got a $13 million refit in 2018–19. |
| Evans Terminal | North end of the airport | Designed by Gensler (2008), the first major US terminal both designed and built after September 11, 2001, with every checked bag screened in line. It has a glass-walled, three-story entrance hall with story-deep trusses, and the roadway runs on the roof of baggage claim. It won an AIA Michigan design honor award. |
| Westin | Inside McNamara | Eighteen stories, an eight-story atrium with bamboo, a 5,000 sq ft reflecting pool and a Zen garden. It’s soundproofed, and the air handling even filters out jet-fuel smell. AAA Four-Diamond. |
| Control tower | Next to McNamara | In use since 1992. The airport says it stands 250 feet (76 m) tall, then the tallest in the Great Lakes region; a 1991 engineering journal gives 232 feet (71 m). |
| Art in the Airport | Evans and the Ground Transportation Center | Since 2019: 24 reproductions from the Detroit Institute of Arts plus work by local artists. |
Tip: walk the Light Tunnel both ways, because the 27-minute show looks different every time. Near the gates, Detroit favorites are waiting (Buddy’s Pizza, Leo’s Coney Island, Atwater Brewery), so you can start tasting the city before you even leave the airport.
Sources: DTW attractions · Color Kinetics: Detroit airport · Jim on Light: the McNamara tunnel · Wikipedia: ExpressTram · DTW tram upgrades complete · Thornton Tomasetti: North Terminal · Architectural Record: Gensler · Walbridge: Westin DTW · PCI Journal 1991: DTW tower (PDF) · DTW Art in the Airport
Back to contents ↑13 / Sleeping at the airport (or next to it)Sleeping at the airport (or next to it)
The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport is literally part of McNamara (2501 Worldgateway Place). It has 404 rooms, an indoor pool and its own security checkpoint, so you can walk from your room straight to your gate. Phone: +1 (734) 942-6500. Just connecting? Their fitness package gets you a shower. From Evans, the terminal shuttle stops at the Westin entrance.
The area’s other hotels line Merriman, Middlebelt and Wickham roads in Romulus, and most promise a free airport shuttle (for example the Wyndham Garden +1 (734) 713-8976 or Americas Best Value Inn +1 (734) 728-2430). Those shuttles leave from each terminal’s GTC. Before you book, ask whether it’s really free and whether it runs overnight.
Sources: Visit Detroit: The Westin DTW · DTW shuttle services · Wyndham Garden Romulus
Back to contents ↑14 / Numbers to callNumbers to call
The airport
- Airport information, (734) AIRPORTAutomated 24/7; a real person weekdays 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.+1 (734) 247-7678metroairport.com ↗
- Parking, 24-hour line0 jump-start, flat tire, air; 1 rates; 2 receipt; 3 space availability; 5 shuttles+1 (800) 642-1978
- Parking office (can’t find your car)+1 (734) 247-6734
- Lost & found, airport policeOr report it online: apps.clemis.org/lostfound+1 (734) 942-3669apps.clemis.org ↗
- Found something?Press 1+1 (734) 942-2222
- Airport police, non-emergencyPress 2; supervisor or complaints: press 4+1 (734) 942-2222
- Paging, EvansMcNamara has no public paging number+1 (734) 247-1000
- Noise hotline, 24/7+1 (734) 942-3222
- Wheelchair, McNamaraWalk-up only; book ahead with your airline+1 (734) 921-7200
- Wheelchair, Evans+1 (734) 247-1121
- Wi-Fi help+1 (800) 826-4646
- Media relationsmedia@wcaa.us+1 (734) 247-7379
- Metro Cab, the airport taxi+1 (734) 997-6500
- Metro Cars (sedans)+1 (800) 456-1701
- Martin’s Towing (towed cars)+1 (734) 341-0083
- The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport404 rooms, inside McNamara+1 (734) 942-6500
Federal agencies
- TSA Contact CenterLive agents weekdays 8 a.m.–11 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET; on X: @AskTSA+1 (866) 289-9673tsa.gov ↗
- TSA Cares (disability or medical needs)Call at least 72 hours before you fly+1 (855) 787-2227tsa.gov ↗
- TSA lost & found, DTWCheckpoint items only; DTWtsalostandfound@tsa.dhs.gov+1 (734) 942-3126
- Customs (CBP), McNamaraService desk 10 a.m.–9 p.m.+1 (734) 942-9000
- Customs (CBP), Evans and Global EntryService desk noon–8 p.m.+1 (734) 941-7668
- Customs (CBP), airport port officeExt. 108; weekdays 8 a.m.–4 p.m.+1 (734) 941-6180cbp.gov ↗
- FAA (866-TELL-FAA)+1 (866) 835-5322faa.gov ↗
Airline reservation and baggage numbers are in the airline table. Who looks for your lost stuff? If it was on the plane or at the gate, or your checked bag didn’t show up: the airline. At security: the TSA. Anything else: airport police.
Sources: DTW contact us · DTW lost & found · WCAA Police · DTW wheelchair assistance · DTW taxis & sedans · TSA customer service
Back to contents ↑15 / From a farm field to one of the world’s big airportsFrom a farm field to one of the world’s big airports
This airport grew out of farmland. It started as an airmail field, sent bombers toward Europe in the war, and became the first inland US airport ready for jets. Later it turned into one of the biggest bases of Northwest and then Delta. Every old name and demolished terminal marks an era, and that’s also where the T1/T2 confusion comes from.
Wayne County decides to build a major commercial airport in its western townships.
A $2 million bond buys one square mile at Middlebelt and Wick roads. Today it’s the airport’s northeast corner.
Construction starts in April: a landing strip and a few maintenance buildings.
- First takeoff
Wayne County Airport opens. The first official plane had landed in February, and Thompson Aeronautical, a forerunner of American Airlines, starts service. The former Executive Terminal, the oldest airport building still in use, survives from this era.
The Michigan Air National Guard is based here.
- The war years
The Army takes over and renames it Romulus Army Air Field. New aircraft leave here for Europe, including B-24s built at Ford’s Willow Run plant. In 1943, 107 women pilots (WASPs) serve here, among them Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese-American woman to fly for the US military.
The county board votes 63–1 to grow the field to 3.5 square miles.
A new name, Detroit-Wayne Major Airport, and now four square miles.
New runways and a control tower go up. The first international carriers, Pan Am and BOAC, arrive (sources date this anywhere from 1950 to 1956).
- The jets arrive
It gets today’s name, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, and “Terminal 1” opens (later the L.C. Smith Terminal). It’s the first inland US airport certified for jets. On October 1 American moves over from Willow Run, with Northwest and Delta close behind.
The first scheduled jet service: Delta DC-8s to Miami.
“Terminal 2” opens, also called the North Terminal (the J.M. Davey Terminal from 1975). By June the last airline has left Willow Run, and all 13 fly from here.
The Michael Berry International Terminal, designed by Louis G. Redstone, is completed.
The third parallel runway, today’s 3R/21L, is finished.
- The Northwest era
Republic Airlines builds its main hub here. In 1986 Northwest buys Republic, and Detroit becomes a Northwest stronghold.
Far-flung routes arrive one after another: Tokyo (1987), Seoul (1988), Paris and Frankfurt (1989), Amsterdam with KLM (1992), Osaka (1993), Mexico City (1994). In 1996 comes Beijing, North America’s first scheduled nonstop to mainland China.
The FAA moves into the new $15 million control tower.
Crosswind runway 9R/27L opens, and today’s Big Blue Deck garage is finished.
Crosswinds Marsh opens: a 1,000-acre (about 400-hectare) wetland replacing marsh lost to runway building.
The sixth runway, the $225 million 4L/22R, is dedicated.
- Enter McNamara
The $1.2 billion McNamara Terminal opens, then called the Northwest WorldGateway: 97 gates, the ExpressTram and an 11,500-car garage. It’s the first major US terminal to open after September 11, 2001.
A state law creates the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) on March 26, and it takes over the airport in August. The Westin opens in December.
The old Davey Terminal is demolished.
- The Delta era
The new North Terminal opens, designed by Gensler, and the Smith and Berry terminals close. That same year the Northwest–Delta merger is announced. By 2010 the Northwest name is gone and Detroit is Delta’s second-largest hub.
Royal Jordanian brings Detroit its first scheduled Boeing 787.
Airport management moves into the Michael Berry Administration Building; the Berry Terminal comes down in 2018, the Smith in 2019. 2019 is the record year: 36,769,279 passengers.
During the pandemic, only about 14 million passengers come through.
The North Terminal becomes the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal, honoring the Wayne County Executive.
New airlines arrive: Sun Country, WestJet, Icelandair and, on November 13, Turkish Airlines. On August 24 a cloudburst floods the tunnels leading to McNamara.
Work begins on the Dingell Drive tunnels (running until 2027). In July the CrowdStrike IT outage grounds Delta for days.
More than 33 million passengers; self-driving wheelchairs appear at McNamara.
- Now
On May 2 Spirit Airlines, DTW’s second-largest carrier (1.7 million passengers in 2025), shuts down, and by August Evans traffic is down by a quarter. In July the $25 million parking guidance system goes live. The 2026–2030 capital plan comes to $1.6 billion: rebuilding runway 9R/27L, an extra Evans gate with bigger border facilities, and a Light Tunnel refurbishment.
| Name | When | What became of it |
|---|---|---|
| “Terminal 1”, later the L.C. Smith Terminal | 1958–2008 | Demolished in 2019; now de-icing and overnight aircraft parking |
| “Terminal 2” or North Terminal, later the J.M. Davey Terminal | 1966–2008 | Demolished in 2005–06; today’s Evans stands on the site |
| Michael Berry International Terminal | 1974–2008 | Became a film set (e.g. Up in the Air, 2009), demolished in 2018 |
| McNamara (Northwest WorldGateway) | Since 2002 | Still in use |
| North Terminal, now Evans | Since 2008 (named Evans on April 4, 2022) | Still in use |
Sources: DTW airport history · Archived DTW chronology (2009) · Detroit Historical Society · Detroit Historical Society: Lost Airports III · DTW: North Terminal becomes Evans Terminal · DTW record 2019 · WDIV: Spirit ceases operations · WCAA FY2026–2030 CIP · Wikipedia: Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Back to contents ↑16 / Numbers with a storyNumbers with a story
By 1994, 26.8 million passengers were already passing through, and in 1995 DTW was North America’s 9th and the world’s 13th busiest airport. The peak came in 2019, with 36,769,279 passengers. Then the pandemic cut traffic by 61.6% in a single year, to 14.1 million. By 2025 it had climbed back to 33.4 million, 90.8% of the 2019 level. And more people flew abroad from here in 2025 than ever before.
2026 is a tougher year: passenger numbers have slipped since Spirit shut down on May 2. From January to August 21,779,465 people came through, 3.4% fewer than a year earlier, and in August alone 8.2% fewer.
| Airline | Boardings 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Delta (mainline) | 9,256,351 | 55.5% |
| Delta Connection | 2,704,757 | 16.2% |
| Spirit (shut down May 2, 2026) | 1,721,812 | 10.3% |
| American + American Eagle | 896,123 | 5.4% |
| United + United Express | 543,836 | 3.3% |
| Southwest | 508,694 | 3.1% |
| Frontier | 360,629 | 2.2% |
| JetBlue | 113,248 | 0.7% |
| Turkish Airlines | 88,017 | — |
| Air France | 86,748 | — |
| Alaska Airlines | 84,644 | — |
| Lufthansa | 79,523 | — |
| WestJet | 44,914 | — |
| Royal Jordanian | 41,618 | — |
| Air Canada | 37,417 | — |
| Aeroméxico | 35,148 | — |
| Sun Country | 27,427 | — |
| Icelandair (left January 2026) | 21,170 | — |
| Avelo | 12,491 | — |
| Year | Total passengers | International | Operations | Cargo (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 36,013,478 | 3,217,556 | 467,442 | 513,841,974 |
| 2010 | 32,377,064 | 2,593,077 | 452,616 | 426,324,086 |
| 2015 | 33,440,112 | 2,920,703 | 379,376 | 426,559,999 |
| 2018 | 35,236,676 | 3,357,177 | 393,681 | 508,028,306 |
| 2019 | 36,769,279 | 3,360,282 | 396,909 | 470,756,095 |
| 2020 | 14,105,007 | 757,543 | 238,574 | 377,431,473 |
| 2021 | 23,610,763 | 837,700 | 286,909 | 390,972,485 |
| 2022 | 28,160,572 | 2,001,392 | 284,606 | 407,620,655 |
| 2023 | 31,453,486 | 2,848,139 | 290,238 | 347,738,137 |
| 2024 | 32,971,575 | 3,157,888 | 303,441 | 356,264,740 |
| 2025 | 33,372,682 | 3,694,779 | 321,759 | 354,581,419 |
Source: WCAA year-end reports. By FAA data DTW ranked 48th in the US for cargo in 2025.
| Month (2026) | Passengers | Change | International | Operations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2,266,641 | −2.1% | 273,130 | 23,935 |
| February | 2,308,064 | +3.9% | 246,698 | 22,977 |
| March | 2,854,232 | +0.9% | 293,810 | 27,131 |
| April | 2,743,119 | +0.2% | 267,100 | 27,009 |
| May | 2,819,582 | −4.8% | 313,918 | 27,305 |
| June | 2,863,658 | −7.4% | 353,191 | 27,080 |
| July | 3,024,911 | −6.3% | 372,363 | 28,911 |
| August | 2,899,121 | −8.2% | 355,351 | 28,001 |
| Year | Rank | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1st (large airports) | — | — |
| 2017 | 2nd (mega airports) | 767 | 1st Orlando |
| 2018 | 3. | 775 | Las Vegas and Orlando tied 1st |
| 2019 | 1. | 786 | 2nd Minneapolis |
| 2020 | T-6th | 791 | — |
| 2021 | T-9th | 798 | — |
| 2022 | T-3rd (with JFK) | 791 | — |
| 2023 | 1. | 800 | 2nd Minneapolis |
| 2024 | 2. | 643 | 1st Minneapolis (new scale) |
| 2025 | 2. | 649 | 1st Minneapolis |
| 2026 | 2. | 663 | 1st Minneapolis; released September 16, 2026 |
DTW’s 2011–2016 ranks could not be found in a reliable source. It won ACI’s Airport Service Quality award (North America, 25–40 million passengers) in 2018, 2020 and 2022.
| Runway | Length | Width | Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4R/22L | 12,003 ft (3,659 m) | 200 ft (61 m) | 1950; extended 1990 |
| 3R/21L | 10,001 ft (3,048 m) | 150 ft (46 m) | 1976 |
| 4L/22R | 10,000 ft (3,048 m) | 150 ft | December 11, 2001 |
| 9L/27R | 8,708 ft (2,654 m) | 150 ft | 1949 |
| 3L/21R | 8,501 ft (2,591 m) | 150 ft | 1949; renamed four times |
| 9R/27L | 8,500 ft (2,591 m) | 150 ft | 1993; to be rebuilt in 2027 |
All grooved concrete. Runway numbers give the compass heading in tens of degrees (4R ≈ 40°, right-hand).
Sources: WCAA aviation statistics · WCAA total passengers & operations 2005–2025 (PDF) · WCAA calendar year 2025 report (PDF) · WCAA monthly reports 2026 · FAA Terminal Area Forecast · DTW record 2019 · DTW awards & accreditations · AirNav: KDTW
Back to contents ↑17 / The hard daysThe hard days
An airport’s story includes its tragedies. In memory of those lost, briefly and plainly:
Northwest Flight 255, an MD-82, crashed on takeoff near Middlebelt Road and I-94. 154 of the 155 people aboard died, along with two on the ground. The only survivor was four-year-old Cecelia Cichan. The crew had not set the flaps and slats, and the warning system had no power. It remains Michigan’s deadliest air disaster; a memorial has stood at the site since 1994.
Northwest Airlink Flight 2268 (CASA 212) crashed on landing beside Concourse F; 9 of the 19 aboard died.
In thick fog, Northwest Flight 1482, a DC-9, got lost and taxied onto an active runway, where Flight 299, a 727 taking off, struck it. Eight people on the DC-9 died.
Comair Flight 3272, flying from Cincinnati to Detroit, crashed in icing conditions in Monroe County, about 18 miles from the airport. All 29 aboard died.
Blizzard: more than 6,000 passengers were stuck on planes for hours, some for nearly 8½ hours.
On Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam, just before landing in Detroit, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab tried to set off explosives sewn into his underwear. Passengers tackled him and no one died. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Flooding on the McNamara access roads (August 24, 2023), the CrowdStrike IT outage (July 2024) and a Delta network failure (December 5, 2025) each left thousands waiting on delayed or canceled flights.
Sources: Wikipedia: Northwest Airlines Flight 255 · Wikipedia: Northwest Airlines Flight 1482 · Wikipedia: Comair Flight 3272 · Wikipedia: Northwest Airlines Flight 253 · CBS Detroit: 2023 flooding
Back to contents ↑18 / Who’s behind the names?Who’s behind the names?
| Name | Who | What carries the name |
|---|---|---|
| Edward H. McNamara (1926–2006) | Mayor of Livonia (1970–86), then Wayne County Executive (1987–2002), during whose tenure two new runways and the midfield terminal were built. A 2002 federal probe into airport contracts brought no charges against him. | McNamara Terminal (EM); his bust stands at the airport |
| Warren Cleage Evans (1948) | Wayne County Sheriff, Detroit police chief (2009–10) and Wayne County Executive since 2015; the airport credits him with pulling the county back from the brink of bankruptcy. His wife, Renata Evans, launched Art in the Airport. | Evans Terminal (WE), since 2022 |
| Leroy C. Smith | An airport founder, the visionary behind Detroit-Wayne Major Airport | The former Terminal 1 (1967–2008) |
| James M. Davey | Former airport manager | The former Terminal 2 (1975–2005) |
| Michael Berry | Wayne County Road Commissioner and a driving force behind the expansions | The former international terminal and today’s airport headquarters |
| John D. Dingell | The area’s congressman and the longest-serving member of Congress in US history | John D. Dingell Drive, the road to McNamara |
Sources: Wikipedia: Edward H. McNamara · Wikipedia: Warren Evans · DTW: North Terminal to be named for Warren Cleage Evans · DTW airport history
Back to contents ↑19 / The siblings: Detroit’s other airportsThe siblings: Detroit’s other airports
| Airport | Code | What it is today | The story in a nutshell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Willow Run | YIP | Cargo, corporate and private flying; home to Kalitta and the Yankee Air Museum. Also run by the WCAA. | Opened in 1942 as the airfield of Ford’s B-24 bomber plant, which built 8,865 Liberators. Detroit’s airlines moved here in 1946–47, and Avis rent-a-car was founded here in 1946. Between 1958 and 1966 they all moved on to DTW. |
| Coleman A. Young (Detroit City Airport) | DET | A small-plane airport on Detroit’s east side with a single 5,090-foot runway, owned by the city. | Opened in 1927 and was Detroit’s passenger airport until 1946. Southwest flew from here between 1988 and 1993; scheduled passenger service ended in 2000. A new terminal and hangar opened in June 2026. |
| Windsor (Canada) | YQG | A small international airport across the river, with Canadian domestic and seasonal sun flights | Reached from Detroit across the border. |
Sources: Wikipedia: Willow Run Airport · Wikipedia: Coleman A. Young International Airport
Back to contents ↑20 / News archive: every DTW story we’ve writtenNews archive: every DTW story we’ve written
October 2026
- CBP K9 Caesar stops undeclared produce at Detroit Metro Airport
CTV News reports that Caesar, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture K9, stopped undeclared produce from entering the country at Detroit Metro Airport in the week of Friday, October 9, 2026.
CTV News ↗ - New Global Entry enrollment office coming to McNamara Terminal
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says it will open a new Global Entry Enrollment and Trusted Worker office at Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (.gov) ↗ - Lufthansa lounge at DTW's Evans Terminal: functional but dated
Inside Flyer reports that the Lufthansa lounge in the Evans Terminal welcomes Star Alliance Gold and Priority Pass members. Wi-Fi is reliable, seating is ample, the buffet is varied and staff are friendly, but the decor is outdated.
www.insideflyer.com ↗ - Airport authority auctions off surplus vehicles and equipment
The Wayne County Airport Authority held a virtual public auction through Insurance Auto Auctions on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The public could bid on retired, clear-title fleet vehicles and equipment.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - Delta to launch nonstop Detroit–Athens flights in June 2027
CBS News reports that Delta Air Lines is adding a nonstop flight between Detroit Metro Airport and Athens, Greece, with service starting in June 2027.
CBS News ↗ - What to know about Detroit Metro Airport (DTW)
The El Paso Times reports on what to know about Detroit Metro Airport, DTW.
El Paso Times ↗ - McNamara Parking Deck short-term entrance from Departures Level closed
The Wayne County Airport Authority says the short-term entrance to the McNamara Parking Deck from the Level 8 Departures Level closed Monday, October 5, 2026, and is expected to stay closed until February 26, 2027. The short-term entrance ramp on the east side of the deck stays open, so use that one.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗
September 2026
- Careers in maintenance at the Wayne County Airport Authority
A video on YouTube, posted Wednesday, September 30, 2026, is titled "Wayne County Airport Authority: Careers in Maintenance".
YouTube ↗ - McNamara restroom upgrades continue in Concourses A, B and C
The Wayne County Airport Authority says work continues on the restrooms in McNamara Terminal Concourses A, B and C and the Ground Transportation Center. The redesigned restrooms get better lighting, fixtures, flooring and wall tile, baby changing stations and added accessibility.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - DTW bond rating points to Delta concentration risk
Traders Union reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority's airport bond rating reflects the risk of Delta's heavy concentration at DTW.
Traders Union ↗ - Wayne County Airport Authority bonds keep their AA rating
Traders Union reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority's airport bonds kept their AA rating with a stable outlook.
Traders Union ↗ - CBP seizes giant scale insects at DTW in a first for the nation
WWMT reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized a batch of potentially destructive giant scale insects at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The station describes it as a first-in-nation catch.
WWMT ↗ - Rare, potentially destructive bugs found at Detroit Metro Airport
Patch reports that rare, potentially destructive bugs were found at DTW. Records show it was the first time the species has been encountered at a U.S. port of entry.
Patch ↗ - Never-before-seen giant scale insects intercepted at Detroit Metro
WWJ Newsradio 950, via Audacy, reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at the Romulus airport intercepted a "first-in-nation" batch of potentially destructive giant scale insects earlier in 2026.
Audacy ↗ - Insects first found in the U.S. at Detroit Metro Airport, feds say
The Detroit News reports that federal officials say certain insects were first found in the United States at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Frontier adds nonstop Detroit–New York LaGuardia flights
Frontier Airlines says it will start nonstop DTW service to New York's LaGuardia Airport in fall 2026, with daily flights during the holiday peak. It is also adding frequencies to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando and Miami, and expects 41% more seats at DTW in March 2027 than in March 2026.
Frontier Airlines ↗ - Frontier moves to fill Spirit's gap at Detroit Metro
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Frontier is moving to fill the void left by Spirit's collapse at Detroit Metro Airport.
Crain's Detroit Business ↗ - Detroit Metro ranks No. 2 for passenger satisfaction among big airports
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport ranks No. 2 for passenger satisfaction among the largest North American airports.
CBS News ↗ - Detroit Metro Airport ranks No. 2 in the 2026 JD Power airport satisfaction study
DBusiness Magazine reports that Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus took second place in the JD Power 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study, released Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
DBusiness Magazine ↗ - Gateside by TSA PreCheck launches at Detroit Metro
The Transportation Security Administration reports it has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.
Transportation Security Administration ↗ - Vote for DTW in USA Today's 10Best Large Airport contest
94.7 WCSX reports that Detroit Metro Airport was nominated as Best Large Airport in USA Today's 10Best awards. Leo's Coney Island in the McNamara Terminal also received a nomination.
94.7 WCSX ↗ - TSA's Gateside program lets non-travelers reach the gates at DTW
CBS News reports that TSA's new Gateside program allows non-travelers to get to the gates at Detroit Metro and 12 other airports. TSA describes it as a program that makes things easier for members.
CBS News ↗ - Meet someone at the gate at DTW? Gateside by TSA PreCheck is here
Audacy reports that the TSA has launched Gateside by TSA PreCheck, which lets TSA PreCheck members enter secure terminal areas without a boarding pass. Detroit Metro rolled it out in limited form.
Audacy ↗ - DTW nominated for USA Today's 10Best Large Airport award
WXYZ reports that Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is nominated as Best Large Airport in USA Today's 10Best awards, and voting is open.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗ - DTW among 13 airports where some visitors can enter terminals without a ticket
WTOL reports that Detroit Metro Airport is one of 13 airports where some visitors can access the terminals without a ticket.
wtol.com ↗ - Upgraded Points publishes a terminal guide to Detroit Metro Airport
The Upgraded Points guide to DTW covers hotels, getting between terminals, car rental and phone numbers.
Upgraded Points ↗ - Potentially destructive moth intercepted at Detroit Metro Airport
WILX reports that U.S. Customs and Border Protection calls the moth intercepted at Detroit Metro Airport a "first-in-the-nation" interception.
WILX ↗ - Foreign moth found at Detroit Metro for the first time in the U.S.
The Detroit News reports that federal officials found a foreign moth for the first time in the United States at Detroit Metro Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Rare moth found in luggage at Detroit Metro Airport
ClickOnDetroit reports that Customs and Border Protection found a possibly destructive moth during a routine inspection at DTW this year. Officials said it is a first-in-the-nation interception.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗
August 2026
- Amazon adds 300,000-plus square feet near Detroit Metropolitan Airport
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Amazon has added more than 300,000 square feet to its portfolio near Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
Crain's Detroit Business ↗ - Delta flight from L.A. makes emergency stop at DTW after crew illness
The Detroit News reports that a Delta flight from Los Angeles made an emergency stop at Detroit Metro Airport after a crew illness.
The Detroit News ↗ - Utility work on I-275 near Detroit Metro: lane closings and short traffic stops
The Toledo Blade reports that lane closings and 15-minute traffic shutdowns will affect I-275 in New Boston, just south of the southern end of Detroit Metropolitan Airport, because of utility work. If you're driving to DTW on that road, leave yourself extra time.
Toledo Blade ↗ - Man sentenced for fake bomb threat against a flight leaving DTW
ClickOnDetroit reports that a Monroe man who pleaded guilty to reporting a fake bomb threat for a flight leaving from Detroit Metro Airport has been sentenced.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Thunderstorm ground stop lifted at Detroit Metro Airport
The ground stop issued at DTW because of thunderstorms has been lifted on Saturday, August 22, the Federal Aviation Administration said, according to CBS News. Check your flight status with your airline before you head out.
CBS News ↗ - Equipment failure causes baggage delays at Detroit Metro
WCAX reports that an equipment failure at Detroit Metro Airport could leave some travelers facing delays and longer lines.
WCAX ↗ - Baggage systems back up and running at Detroit Metro Airport
WILX reports that an equipment failure at DTW could have caused some travelers to miss their flights and face longer lines. The baggage systems have since been restored.
WILX ↗ - 39 years since Northwest Flight 255 crashed after taking off from Detroit Metro
FOX 2 Detroit reports that Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed moments after taking off from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 154 people.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - A rundown of every lounge at Detroit Metro Airport
Upgraded Points has put together a list of every lounge and airport experience at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), including how to get in and the opening hours.
Upgraded Points ↗ - Customs officials catch a cattle fever tick at Detroit Metro Airport
CBS News reports that customs officials intercepted a cattle fever tick, a species considered eradicated in the United States. It nearly hitched a ride on leaves arriving at Detroit Metro.
CBS News ↗ - Frontier flight from Houston to DTW evacuated after verbal bomb threat
ClickOnDetroit reports that a Frontier Airlines flight from Houston to Detroit was delayed on Thursday, August 6, 2026, after a passenger made a verbal bomb threat while the plane was preparing to depart, the airline said.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Spirit's collapse hits businesses in DTW's Evans Terminal
The Detroit News reports that Spirit's collapse is hitting businesses in the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro.
The Detroit News ↗ - Evans Terminal businesses adjust after Spirit's exit
The Detroit News reports that businesses in the Evans Terminal are coping with Spirit's departure.
The Detroit News ↗ - DTW Destination Pass lets people visit Detroit Metro Airport without flying
WXYZ 7 News Detroit reports that Angela Sullivan wanted to be at her daughter's side every step of the way before her first solo flight, all the way to the gate.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗
July 2026
- Detroit Metro Airport to acquire former Spirit Airlines hangar
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Detroit Metro Airport is set to acquire the former Spirit Airlines hangar.
Crain's Detroit Business ↗ - DTW to buy Spirit Airlines hangar for $18 million
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport is acquiring a Spirit Airlines hangar for $18 million.
CBS News ↗ - New parking guidance system debuts at DTW's McNamara Terminal
WXYZ 7 News Detroit reports that a new parking guidance system launched at the McNamara Terminal on Friday, July 17, 2026. It is meant to save travelers going to DTW stress and time when parking.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗ - DTW shelves its cigar lounge plan for the McNamara Terminal
PYOK reports that Detroit Metro has shelved plans for a cigar lounge inside the McNamara terminal building. The airport's board says the reason is not the opposition to indoor smoking, but the downfall of Spirit Airlines.
PYOK ↗ - No cigar lounge at Detroit Metro: airport cancels the proposal request
CBS News reports that the CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority canceled a request for proposals for a lounge with an enclosed cigar-smoking section at DTW. The report was published Saturday, July 18, 2026.
CBS News ↗ - New parking guidance system live at McNamara garage shows open spaces in real time
The Wayne County Airport Authority announced on Friday, July 17, 2026, that the new parking guidance system is now live at the McNamara Terminal garage. You can check availability by level, aisle and individual space in real time; the $25 million project also covers the Evans Terminal parking structures.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - Bar lounge and cigar shop plan at Detroit Metro canceled
ArabAmericanNews reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority CEO canceled a proposed bar lounge and cigar concession at DTW. The reasons given were economic uncertainty and the closure of Spirit Airlines.
ArabAmericanNews ↗ - Spirit's bankruptcy still rippling through Detroit Metro Airport
Crain's Detroit Business reports that the aftershocks of Spirit's bankruptcy linger at Detroit Metro Airport.
Crain's Detroit Business ↗ - Cigar bar plan at Detroit Metro Airport is dead
FOX 2 Detroit reports that plans for a cigar bar at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus have been scuttled.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Canadian wildfire smoke so thick you can't see DTW, Wayne County air alert
ClickOnDetroit reports that Wayne County was under an air quality alert because Canadian wildfire smoke was so dense that DTW could not be seen.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Frontier adds daily Detroit to Los Angeles flights in November
Frontier Airlines announced daily service from DTW to Los Angeles (LAX) starting Friday, November 20, 2026. Introductory fares start at $99, with conditions noted in the release.
Frontier Airlines ↗ - Frontier adds three new routes from DTW to replace Spirit
WXYZ reports that Frontier Airlines announced three new routes from Detroit Metro Airport, taking over flights previously served by Spirit Airlines.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗ - Frontier adds three new DTW routes: Fort Lauderdale, Philadelphia and Las Vegas
Frontier Airlines says it starts daily flights from Detroit Metro to Fort Lauderdale (from $49) and Philadelphia (from $79) on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and to Las Vegas (from $79) on Monday, July 6. The routes were previously flown by Spirit Airlines.
Frontier Airlines ↗ - Genesee County sheriff makes an arrest at Detroit Metro Airport
WSMH reports that Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson arrested a suspect at Detroit Metro Airport who is accused of committing a crime in Genesee County. The report was published Thursday, July 2, 2026.
WSMH ↗ - DTW raises fees after Spirit Airlines bankruptcy and closure
WILX reports that Detroit Metro Airport raised its fees after Spirit Airlines went bankrupt and shut down. Experts say higher airfare could eventually trickle down to passengers.
WILX ↗
June 2026
- Plane crash drill tests first responders at Detroit Metro Airport
WXYZ reports that about 300 people took part in a large-scale emergency exercise at DTW on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. They simulated a plane crash to test how ready first responders are.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗ - Disaster training and a mock crash drill at Detroit Metro Airport
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport held disaster training exercises, including a mock crash drill.
CBS News ↗ - Gas station near Detroit Metro Airport accused of charging up to 72% more than rivals
MLive.com reports that a gas station near Detroit Metro Airport is accused of charging up to 72% more than its competitors.
MLive.com ↗ - DTW raises airline landing and rental fees starting July 1
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport will increase airline landing and rental fees on July 1, 2026, which may affect what passengers pay.
CBS News ↗ - Delta adding a new DTW flight to Aruba
The Detroit News reports that Delta will add a new flight from Detroit Metro to Aruba.
The Detroit News ↗ - Restore I-94: three-year road work near DTW runs through 2029
The Michigan Department of Transportation's Restore I-94 project is refurbishing nearly 13 miles of I-94, from east of I-275 to west of Michigan Avenue, with completion scheduled by 2029. Work includes new pavement, bridge repairs and a new Ecorse Road interchange, so allow extra time on the way to DTW.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - Tornadoes and storms hit SE Michigan, ground stop issued at DTW
The Detroit News reports that tornadoes and storms hit southeast Michigan on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, and a ground stop was issued at DTW.
The Detroit News ↗ - Ground stop at DTW as severe weather disrupts flights
ClickOnDetroit reports that flights at Detroit Metro were temporarily halted Tuesday evening, June 9, 2026, after federal aviation officials issued a ground stop as thunderstorms moved through southeast Michigan.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - South Helix in McNamara Parking Deck closed June 15 through October 30
The Wayne County Airport Authority said the South Helix in the McNamara Parking Deck was closed to all vehicles from June 15 to October 30, 2026, because of construction and renovation work in the McNamara Terminal. Signs directed drivers to the North Helix instead.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - Higher airfares at DTW after Spirit's bankruptcy?
The Detroit Free Press reports that DTW travelers could see higher airfare prices after the Spirit bankruptcy.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Federal researchers charged with smuggling mpox virus samples via DTW
WTOL reports that federal researchers were charged with smuggling mpox virus samples through Detroit Metro Airport.
wtol.com ↗ - Two NIH researchers charged with smuggling monkeypox into US via Detroit Metro Airport
ClickOnDetroit reports that two National Institutes of Health researchers were charged on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, with conspiracy to smuggle monkeypox into the United States and with making false statements to federal law enforcement, according to a federal criminal complaint. The FBI case is tied to Detroit Metro Airport.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Car crash at a DTW terminal: could it happen again?
FOX 2 Detroit reports that after a car crash at a DTW terminal, many are questioning security and asking whether it could happen again. The station spoke with a former Detroit police chief about why it keeps happening.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Frontier wants to grow at DTW in former Spirit space
The Detroit News reports that Frontier is bidding to expand in the former Spirit space at Detroit Metro Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Travelers weigh in on closed Spirit Airlines at Evans Terminal
The Detroit News reports that travelers are commenting on the closed Spirit Airlines operation at the Evans Terminal at DTW.
The Detroit News ↗ - Evans Terminal waits to see who replaces Spirit at DTW
The Detroit News reports that the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport is waiting for Spirit's successors.
The Detroit News ↗ - Second car crash at DTW raises security questions
FOX 2 Detroit reports that many people are questioning security at Detroit Metro after a second car crash incident there, asking whether it could happen again. The station spoke with a former Detroit police chief.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗
May 2026
- SUV crashes into Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport
FOX 2 Detroit reports that on Friday morning, May 29, 2026, a driver crashed through a door at the Evans Terminal and ended up past security. The driver is in custody.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗
June 2026
- Second car hits a DTW terminal, putting airport security in focus
FOX 2 Detroit reports that a second car has crashed into a terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, and law enforcement is stressing the importance of security. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard talked about how everyone can stay safe.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗
May 2026
- Neighbor recalls actions of man arrested after DTW terminal crash
CBS News reports that the neighbor of a man arrested in a crash at a Detroit Metro Airport terminal recalls what he did in the hours before the incident.
CBS News ↗ - New crash barriers at DTW's Evans Terminal
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Evans Terminal at DTW has new barriers to guard against crashes.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Man who crashed at Detroit Metro says he came to meet Tom Cruise
WLNS 6 News reports that a man who crashed into Detroit Metro Airport said he was there to "meet Tom Cruise."
WLNS 6 News ↗ - Crash at DTW: man tells police he wanted to meet Tom Cruise
The Detroit News reports that a man involved in a crash at DTW told police he wanted to meet Tom Cruise.
The Detroit News ↗ - Car crashes into DTW terminal: an airport employee describes what he saw
ClickOnDetroit reports that an employee was 10 feet away when a car crashed into Detroit Metro Airport on the morning of Friday, May 29, 2026, and he described what happened.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Man in custody after DTW crash was disoriented, mentioned Tom Cruise
The Detroit Free Press reports that the man taken into custody after a crash at DTW was disoriented and mentioned Tom Cruise.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Witnesses describe vehicle crash inside Detroit Metro Airport terminal
ClickOnDetroit reports that a vehicle crashed inside DTW on Friday, May 29, 2026, and witnesses shared accounts of it. The terminal was closed while emergency crews responded and has since reopened.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Car crashes into DTW's Evans Terminal: witness tells Local 4 what he saw
ClickOnDetroit reports that a witness described to Local 4 what he saw when a driver crashed into the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport on Friday, May 29, 2026.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Driver crashes into Evans Terminal, says he was there to meet Tom Cruise
ClickOnDetroit reports that the man who drove a car into the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport told police he was there to meet Tom Cruise. The report was published Friday, May 29, 2026.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - SUV crashes into Evans Terminal at DTW, man taken into custody
WXYZ reports that a man drove his SUV into the Evans Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport on Friday morning, May 29, 2026. The Wayne County Airport Authority confirmed he is in custody.
WXYZ 7 News Detroit ↗ - Driver crashes into Detroit Metro Airport; police investigating
WTOL reports that a driver crashed into Detroit Metro Airport on Friday morning, May 29, 2026, and police are investigating.
wtol.com ↗ - Car crashes into Detroit Metro Airport for the second time this year
MLive reports that a car crashed into Detroit Metro Airport, the second such crash this year.
MLive.com ↗ - Is the Wayne County Airport Authority limiting remote access?
WDET reports that an inside source says the Wayne County Airport Authority limited remote access after public opposition to using Willow Run Airport for ICE deportation flights.
WDET 101.9 FM ↗ - Suspected Ebola case on DTW flight left passengers panicking
FOX 2 Detroit reports that a man on the DTW flight said passengers wrapped towels around their heads and one woman told him to cover his face. The scare was tied to a suspected Ebola case on board.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Flight from France to Detroit diverted to Canada over Ebola concerns
FOX 2 Detroit reports that a flight from France to Detroit Metro Airport was diverted so a passenger could be removed from the plane because of Ebola concerns. The outlet says the plane landed in Canada.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Thunderstorms trigger a ground stop at Detroit Metro Airport
ClickOnDetroit reports that a ground stop was issued at Detroit Metro Airport on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, due to thunderstorms. Check your flight status with your airline before heading out.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Dreamcatcher with monkey skull seized at Detroit Metro Airport
CBS News reports that officials confiscated a dreamcatcher containing a monkey skull and python bones at Detroit Metro Airport.
CBS News ↗ - Frontier steps in for Spirit: will DTW benefit?
The Detroit News reports that Frontier Airlines is moving to fill the void left by Spirit, and asks whether DTW will benefit.
The Detroit News ↗ - Spirit shuts down: travelers hunt for new flights and refunds
FOX 2 Detroit reports that Spirit ended operations on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Travelers who held Spirit tickets are now scrambling to rebook and to secure refunds.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - A Spirit Airlines shutdown could hit DTW travelers
The Detroit News reports that a Spirit Airlines shutdown could disrupt travel for passengers at Detroit Metro.
The Detroit News ↗ - Spirit shuts down, leaving passengers and workers in limbo
FOX 2 Detroit reports that Spirit suddenly ceased operations on Saturday, May 2, 2026. Passengers' travel plans and the futures of the airline's workers are up in the air.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Spirit Airlines shuts down: all flights cancelled at DTW's Evans Terminal
FOX 2 Detroit reports that on Saturday, May 2, 2026, every Spirit Airlines kiosk in the Evans Terminal at DTW was empty and showed the same message: all flights are cancelled. The station spoke with affected customers and a travel agent.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Spirit Airlines shuts down and cancels every flight
FOX 2 Detroit reports that Spirit Airlines ceased operations effective immediately on Saturday, May 2, 2026, canceling all flights. If you held a Spirit ticket, you need to find another way to fly.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Spirit Airlines check-in looks deserted at Detroit Metro
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Spirit Airlines check-in area at Detroit Metropolitan Airport was a ghost town.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Final Spirit flight departs Detroit Metro
MLive.com reports that the final Spirit flight departed from DTW.
MLive.com ↗ - Spirit customers told to stay away from DTW
The Detroit News reports that Spirit customers were warned on May 2, 2026 not to come to Detroit Metro Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Spirit Airlines shutdown leaves would-be travelers stranded at DTW
The Detroit News reports that Spirit Airlines' shutdown stranded would-be travelers at Detroit Metro Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Spirit Airlines shuts down, leaving its Evans Terminal area empty
ClickOnDetroit reports that Spirit Airlines has ceased operations, ending the budget carrier's service. Its section of the Evans Terminal at DTW was empty on Saturday morning, May 2, 2026.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Spirit Airlines near shutdown, DTW flights at risk
The Detroit Free Press reports that Spirit Airlines is on the verge of shutting down, which puts its flights at Detroit Metro at risk.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Spirit Airlines passengers at DTW on what a shutdown would mean
The Detroit Free Press reported on Friday, May 1, 2026, that Spirit Airlines passengers at Detroit Metro Airport described the impact if the airline shuts down, a possibility according to reports.
Facebook ↗ - Spirit Airlines has shut down: its check-in counter at DTW sits empty
CBS News reports that on Friday, May 1, 2026, the Spirit Airlines check-in counter at Detroit Metro Airport was empty with the lights turned down, and a message told passengers the airline's operations have shut down.
CBS News ↗
April 2026
- Delta launches three-day flash sale on US and Latin America leisure flights from DTW
ClickOnDetroit reports that Delta Air Lines launched a three-day flash sale on April 28, 2026, with deals on flights to popular leisure destinations in the U.S. and Latin America, including a list of flights from DTW.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Spirit Airlines is shaky, and DTW has a lot riding on it
The Detroit News reports that as Spirit Airlines teeters, Detroit Metro Airport has a lot at stake.
The Detroit News ↗ - Delta suspends two DTW routes until 2027
A Facebook post reports that Delta Air Lines is suspending two routes in and out of Detroit Metro Airport until 2027.
Facebook ↗ - DTW tests a $25 million system to help you find parking
MLive reports that Detroit Metro is testing a $25 million parking system meant to help drivers find open spots faster.
MLive.com ↗ - DTW tests new technology to help travelers find parking
WILX reports that Detroit Metropolitan Airport is testing new technology meant to make it easier for travelers to find a parking spot.
WILX ↗ - DTW parking garages get new tech in $25 million upgrade
Crain's Detroit Business reports that Detroit Metro Airport is adding new parking garage technology as part of a $25 million upgrade.
Crain's Detroit Business ↗ - New parking guidance system going into the McNamara Garage
ClickOnDetroit reports that a new parking guidance system is being installed in the McNamara Terminal Garage at DTW. Parking there could soon get easier.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Autonomous wheelchairs to be tested in DTW's Evans Terminal
Airport World reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority and Unifi are launching a pilot in the Evans Terminal. The autonomous wheelchairs help travelers who have trouble walking long distances and take them to restrooms, concessions or their departure gate.
Airport World ↗ - Autonomous wheelchairs at Evans Terminal: WCAA and Unifi launch a pilot
The Wayne County Airport Authority announced on Monday, April 13, 2026, that it is partnering with Unifi to bring autonomous wheelchairs to the Evans Terminal. The pilot program supports customers who may have difficulty getting around the airport.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - The Detroit News has a report on Detroit Metro Airport
The Detroit News reports on Detroit Metro Airport, but no further details are available.
The Detroit News ↗ - The Detroit News covers Detroit Metro Airport
The Detroit News reports on Detroit Metro Airport.
The Detroit News ↗ - Man charged in federal court over bomb threat that forced emergency landing at DTW
ClickOnDetroit reports that a man accused of making a bomb threat aboard a commercial flight, which forced an emergency landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport, has been charged in federal court, authorities said on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - FBI investigates disturbance on a flight diverted to Detroit Metro
ClickOnDetroit reports that the FBI responded to a disturbance aboard a flight diverted to Detroit Metro Airport on a Sunday. The source gives no further details.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗
March 2026
- Detroit Metro Airport kept operating as normal during partial shutdown
CBS News reports that Detroit Metro Airport was still operating as normal amid a partial shutdown on Monday, March 30, 2026.
CBS News ↗ - Disruptive passenger forces American Airlines flight to divert to DTW
FOX 2 Detroit reports that an American Airlines flight was diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on Sunday, March 29, 2026, because of a disruptive passenger. The FBI responded.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Flights resume at DTW after severe storms in Southeast Michigan
The Detroit News reports that flights at DTW resumed after severe storms hit Southeast Michigan.
The Detroit News ↗ - How long are the TSA lines at DTW amid the staffing shortage?
The Detroit News asks what the wait times are at DTW amid a TSA staffing shortage.
The Detroit News ↗ - Detroit Metro travelers react as ICE officers help TSA at other airports
ClickOnDetroit reports that hundreds of ICE officers were deployed to airports nationwide on Monday, March 23, 2026, to help Transportation Security Administration officers at checkpoints during a busy spring break and holiday travel period. Travelers at Detroit Metro weighed in on the move.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - No ICE agents at Detroit Metro yet, TSA lines moving fast
CBS News reports that no ICE agents are working at Detroit Metro Airport yet, and travelers are seeing quick TSA security lines.
CBS News ↗ - Quick TSA lines at DTW despite the partial government shutdown
CBS News reports that travelers at Detroit Metro Airport saw quick TSA security lines despite a partial government shutdown.
CBS News ↗ - Delta adds a fourth daily Kalamazoo-Detroit flight
WWMT reports that Delta Air Lines is adding another flight between Kalamazoo/Battle Creek and Detroit Metropolitan Airport, bringing the total to four a day. The report gives no start date.
WWMT ↗ - Report: DTW had the most disrupted flights in January
The Detroit News reports that, according to a report, DTW had the most disrupted flights in January.
The Detroit News ↗ - TSA operations normal at DTW despite shutdown
MLive reports that TSA operations at Detroit Metro remain normal despite the ongoing shutdown.
MLive.com ↗ - Dozens of flights canceled at Detroit Metro
CBS News reports that dozens of flights were canceled at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.
CBS News ↗ - How many DTW flights were canceled or delayed on March 17, 2026?
The Detroit News reports a tally of how many flights at Detroit Metro Airport were canceled or delayed on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
The Detroit News ↗ - Severe weather cancels and delays flights at DTW
FOX 2 Detroit reports that weather conditions caused flight cancellations at Detroit Metro Airport on Monday, March 16, 2026. The station also mentions other problems involving the TSA.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Delays and cancellations pile up at DTW during spring break
FOX 2 Detroit reports that on Monday, March 16, 2026, many travelers at Detroit Metro Airport had to change plans as flight cancellations and delays kept rising.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Spring break headaches at DTW as cancellations and delays climb
FOX 2 Detroit reports that on Monday, March 16, 2026, many travelers at Detroit Metro Airport had their plans changed as flight cancellations and delays kept rising.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - DTW hit by delays and cancellations as high winds and unpaid TSA staff collide
ClickOnDetroit reports that on Monday, March 16, 2026, DTW had 29 delays and 70 cancellations, blamed on high winds and TSA officers working without pay. According to the airport, security took about five minutes at Evans and about two minutes at McNamara.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗
February 2026
- East Coast blizzard hit flights at DTW
CBS News reports that an East Coast blizzard affected flights at DTW on Monday, February 23, 2026.
CBS News ↗ - Airport authority says it can't stop ICE flights at DTW
The Detroit News reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority board says the authority cannot stop ICE flights.
The Detroit News ↗ - Wayne County Airport Authority board lets ICE flights continue
The Detroit Free Press reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority Board is allowing ICE flights to continue.
Detroit Free Press ↗ - Connecting at Detroit Metro: Delta says layover time is part of the trip
Delta said on Friday, February 20, 2026, that a connection at DTW is not just a stop but part of the trip. The airline says smart design, local touches and seamless movement help travelers make the most of the time between flights.
Delta ↗ - Cigar bar at DTW? A coalition wants to stop it
FOX 2 Detroit reports that a coalition called Keep DTW Smoke Free is trying to stop a proposal to bring a cigar bar to Detroit Metro Airport. As of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, it was only a proposal.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Delta to fly daily between Detroit and Honolulu from January 2027
WTVG reports that Delta will boost its DTW-Honolulu service from three flights a week to daily starting Monday, January 4, 2027.
WTVG ↗ - Man suspected in Detroit Metro Airport crash charged with stalking in separate case
CBS News reports that a man suspected in a crash at Detroit Metro Airport has been charged with stalking in a separate incident.
CBS News ↗ - DTW airport police seek aggravated assault charge after McNamara Terminal crash
ClickOnDetroit reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority Police Department outlined the charges it wants to file against the man who drove into the McNamara Terminal. The report ran on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - Suspect in DTW crash charged with stalking in a separate case
FOX 2 Detroit reports the man arrested at Detroit Metro Airport has been charged with stalking in a separate case. He was ranting in a Lions jersey during the arrest and was said to be having a mental health emergency.
FOX 2 Detroit ↗ - Warrant request received after the Detroit Metro terminal crash
ClickOnDetroit reports that the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office received a warrant request related to the crash at Detroit Metro Airport. The office said on Friday, February 13, 2026, that it is reviewing the request.
ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 ↗ - 180-day treatment ordered for man who rammed car into McNamara
A Facebook post reports that a man who rammed his car into the McNamara terminal at Detroit Metro Airport has been ordered into a 180-day mental health treatment program.
Facebook ↗ - $750 million in DTW contracts: outreach event set for Novi
The Wayne County Airport Authority is holding an outreach event on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi for contractors, subcontractors and concessions owners. It says $750 million in project contracts will be open for bidding over the next two years; construction is the focus from 9 a.m. to noon and concessions from 1 to 4 p.m., with registration open through Thursday, February 19.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (WCAA) ↗ - Wayne County Airport Authority has $750 million in contracts up for grabs
The Michigan Chronicle reports that the Wayne County Airport Authority has $750 million in airport contracts available for contractors and small businesses.
The Michigan Chronicle ↗
21 / Live, right nowLive, right now
- Official social accounts: Facebook ↗, Instagram ↗ (@dtwshots), X ↗ (@dtweetin).
- The airport home page shows live security waits and how many parking spaces are free; the Park Assist app also shows McNamara garage levels.
22 / Quick answersQuick answers
Which terminal is Delta at?
McNamara, the “red” one (code EM). Air France, Aeroméxico and WestJet are there too, and so are KLM and Virgin Atlantic flights that Delta operates.
And Lufthansa, Turkish, American and United?
Evans, the “blue” one (WE, formerly the North Terminal). That’s where everyone who isn’t Delta or a Delta partner goes.
Which terminal is SkyTeam at?
McNamara, the red terminal. SkyTeam’s Detroit members, Delta, Air France and Aeroméxico, all fly from here, and so do KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Korean Air tickets on Delta-operated flights.
Which terminal is Star Alliance at?
Evans, the blue terminal. United, Air Canada, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines all fly from here.
And oneworld?
Also Evans, the blue terminal: American, Alaska and Royal Jordanian.
Which alliance is WestJet in, and why does it fly from McNamara?
None. WestJet partners with Delta, so it shares McNamara, the red terminal, with Delta.
My ticket says T1 or T2. So which is it?
Detroit has no official T1 or T2 today; booking sites use those labels, and not consistently. Check who operates the flight: Delta, Air France, Aeroméxico or WestJet means McNamara; anyone else means Evans.
What does EM on my boarding pass mean?
Edward McNamara, as in McNamara Terminal. WE stands for Warren Evans, the Evans Terminal.
Can I walk between the terminals?
No, they’re at opposite ends of the airport. A free shuttle (Terminal-to-Terminal/Westin) runs every ten minutes from the garages’ Ground Transportation Centers; you then go through security again.
How much is parking?
Daily maximums in September 2026: Green Lot $20, Big Blue Deck long-term $23, McNamara long-term $32, short-term $43–44, valet $51. Card payments add 2.65%.
What’s the cheapest way downtown?
SMART FAST 261 costs $2 and takes about an hour. The DAX nonstop coach is $6 in advance, 30–50 minutes. Uber averages about $56, a taxi about $60.
Is there free Wi-Fi?
Yes, in both terminals, no login: join “Detroit Airport Wi-Fi”, then pick “Free Wi-Fi” in your browser.
I lost something. Who do I call?
Left on the plane or at the gate: your airline. At security: the TSA, (734) 942-3126. Anywhere else in the airport: airport police, (734) 942-3669, or online at apps.clemis.org/lostfound.
Is there a nonstop to Budapest?
No. The easiest trip is one connection on a single ticket: via Amsterdam (KLM/Delta) or Paris (Air France/Delta) from McNamara, or via Frankfurt (Lufthansa) or Istanbul (Turkish) from Evans.
Is the airport open at night?
Yes, around the clock. At least one McNamara checkpoint is always open; Evans checkpoints close from about 10:45 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.
Sources: DTW FAQ
Back to contents ↑Quarter Detroit wrote this guide on our own; it isn’t an official publication of the airport or any airline. We checked everything against official sources on September 25, 2026. Fares, schedules and phone numbers change, so take a quick look at metroairport.com ↗ and your airline’s site before you head out.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
We have no published upcoming events linked to this place yet. That does not mean the venue has no events; check its official calendar too.
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