Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

Guide to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport near Romulus is simply referred to as ‘Detroit Metro’ by residents of Detroit. 

Wayne County Airport was the modest beginning of Detroit Metro in 1929. Although it grew after World War II, American, Delta, Northwest Orient, Pan Am, and British Overseas didn't transfer to the renamed Detroit-Wayne Major Airport until the 1950s.

Detroit Metro consistently ranks among the top 20 airports in the country for the number of passengers it serves as the primary airport for the metropolitan area. In terms of the quantity of aircraft operations in 2010, it was placed 16th globally and 11th in the country.

General Information

Over 30 million people use Detroit Metro's over 450,000 flights each year. The airport has two terminals with a combined 145 gates and six runaways. Both terminals have associated parking garages, red-vested ambassadors to help travellers, and Boingo WiFi. 

There are over 160 domestic and international destinations served by non-stop flights from the airport. The busiest non-stop flight at the airport is to New York.

DTW Airport Terminals

McNamara Terminal and Evans Terminal are the two passenger terminals from which DTW runs flights. These are not connected to one another and are situated at each end of the airport.

For connections by vehicle or bus, John Dingell Drive connects the two terminals, and I-94 and I-275 provide access to the airport itself.

Major Airlines

The majority of flights at Detroit Metro are operated by Delta Airlines. In reality, Detroit is the second-largest hub for Delta and in 2011 the airline accounted for more than 75% of all flights into and out of the airport.

Although Southwest Airlines transports about the same number of passengers from the airport, Spirit Airlines also considers Detroit Metro to be a major base of operations.

Driving Directions

Detroit Metro is located southwest of Detroit. Its south entrance, which is closest to the McNamara Terminal, is located off of the Eureka Road exit of I-275, just south of I-94. The north entrance is located off the Merriman Road exit of I-94, just east of I-275.

After Leaving Downtown Detroit

Take I-75 South to exit 48 for I-96 toward Lansing from Downtown Detroit. After merging onto I-96 West, take exit 190A to join I-94 West heading toward Chicago. Stay on I-94 until exit 198 in the direction of Metro Airport. To get to the airport, merge onto Merriman Road.

When leaving Ann Arbor

Up until exit 198, take South State Street and then merge onto I-94 East. To get to the airport, merge onto Merriman Road.

After leaving Toledo

Travel I-28 till I-75 North, then take exit 20 for I-275 North. I-275 North should be continued until exit 15 for Eureka Road and John D. Dingell Drive, which provide access to the airport.

McNamara Terminal

Operating out of the acclaimed McNamara Terminal are partners Air France and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in addition to Delta. The Eureka Road exit of I-275, which is close to the interchange of I-94, is the best way to get to the terminal. There is a covered bridge connecting the terminal and the McNamara Parking building.

There are three concourses where the gates are situated. For domestic flights operated by Delta, use concourse A. Moving walkways, more than 60 restaurants and shops, and an express tram run the length of the mile-long mall. 

Food Court & Cafes

Swaroski Crystal, L'Occitane, Sugar Rush, Pangborn Design Collection, Midtown Music Review, Motown Harley-Davidson, Gayle's Chocolates, and She-Chic Fashion are among the stores that are still open. A Martini Lounge, three Irish/Guinness pubs, coffee shops, are both quick service and sit-down restaurants among the establishments. 

Fuddruckers, Vino Volo Wine Room, and National Coney Island Bar & Grill are a few notable eateries. 30 additional stores, including The Body Shop, EA Sports, Brighton Collectibles, Brookstone, The Paradies Shop, and Porsche Design, will be added as part of a new retail.

Airport Parking

A covered pedestrian bridge links each terminus of the Detroit Metro to a parking garage. Long-term, short-term, and valet parking are available at McNamara Parking ($20), while long-term and short-term parking are available at North Terminal's Big Blue Deck ($10). There are also green lots inside the airport that can be accessible for $8.

Outside the airport, a number of additional businesses offer parking. For instance, the newest and maybe least expensive option is Valet Connections for $6. Additional services include car washing, detailing, and maintenance. 

The cost of the other parking options is around the same per day as the airport's green lots, and they are situated close to the airport off Merriman and Middlebelt Roads. They cost $8 for Airlines Parking, $7.75 for Park 'N' Go, $8 for Qwik Park, and $11 for U.S. Park.

Transportation

Pick Up: If you're a cab driver and you merely need to pick up a passenger from the airport, you might want to park your car at one of the cellphone lots that are conveniently positioned close to all of the airport's main entrances. As you wait for your traveler's call, you stay by your car, making it simpler to pick up your passenger just as they leave the baggage claim.

Drop Off: Detroit Metro advises visitors to arrive 90 minutes prior to the time of their flight.

Transportation Between Terminals: A shuttle connects the Westin Hotel and the two terminals, McNamara and North. The shuttles operate outside of the security checkpoints and run every ten minutes.

Taxis, limousines, and rental cars are all available at places outside of the airport that are reachable by shuttle bus. At the Ground Transportation Center at each terminal, passengers can board the shuttles. The Ground Transportation Centers, which are situated close to baggage claim and the pedestrian walkways at each terminal, also offer taxis and limousines.

DTW Airport Parking Information

In addition to more affordable long-term parking alternatives, DTW offers short-term parking with the shortest access to the terminals. The Green Lots are close to Evans Terminal, and the McNamara and Big Blue Deck parking garages are outside of the terminals.

Vehicles taller than 7 feet can park in the Green Lots instead of the Covered Garages because they are not subject to height limits. Passengers are transported to and from the Green Lots by courtesy shuttle buses, which pick up and drop off at the ground transit hub.

Pick-up or Drop-off Parking

There are two cell phone waiting areas at DTW, one close to Evans Terminal and the other close to McNamara Terminal. When picking up passengers, family and friends may park in these lots and wait in their cars for no charge until they are called for pickup outside the terminal.

You can park inside the short-term parking areas and drop off passengers there or at the curbside outside the terminals.

Off-site and Hotel Parking

DTW offers daily parking at a competitive price when compared to other significant U.S. airports. Off-site parking lots, however, may provide even more affordable prices. Passengers can reserve parking starting at $12 per day.

Despite being farther away, these off-site parking choices run their own shuttle services to/from the airport and provide a practical substitute for the official airport parking.

DTW Airport Hotels

Passengers can use the Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport's security checkpoint, which is located at the airport property and situated in McNamara Terminal.

Other accommodations vary from 2 to 4 stars and begin at 1.9 miles from the airport. Many of these hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to and from the airport, and guests can make arrangements for long-term parking at some hotels.

DTW Airport Lounges

DTW has 8 lounges with only 1 available for passengers to purchase a day pass. The others are exclusively for premium cabin passengers or military personnel and their dependents. The airport contains quite a number of Lounges you can enjoy including:

• Freedom Center
• Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club (GateA68)
• Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club (Gate A38)
• Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club (Gate A18)
• Lufthansa Senator Lounge
• Lufthansa Business Lounge

Airport Dining and Drinks at DTW

DTW has 86 restaurants, cafes, and food stations. Before security, the options are minimal at both terminals, but once you are through the security, the choice is extensive throughout all concourses.

Travel to and From DTW

SMART: DTW is served frequently by 2 SMART bus routes connecting passengers to the Detroit area:

• Bus route 125 departs from both terminals through to Congress and St. Antoine in downtown Detroit
• Bus route 280 departs from the North Terminal only through to Inkster and Ifo Garden City Hospital
• Fast bus route 261 departs from both terminals with fewer stops through to downtown Detroit

AirRide: Bus services depart from both terminals at DTW through to Ann Arbor.

SMART and AirRide services operate from the ground transportation center at Evans Terminal and from the north end of the departures level at McNamara Terminal.

Shuttle Service

Operating out of the ground transportation hub of both terminals are courtesy shuttles for the rental car company, on- and off-airport parking facilities, and hotels.

At DTW, taxis are available at both terminals. Taxis leave from the upper level of the ground transportation centre from Evans Terminal, and from level 4 from middle of the ground transportation centre from McNamara Terminal.

Ride Services

Once travellers leave the arrivals area, they can find the selected pick-up zones for ride services, which are noticeable with signs. This chosen space is located on level 1 of the parking structure at Evans Terminal and on level 4 of the parking structure at McNamara Terminal.

FAQs about Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport