US Airport · Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan (DTW)

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is Delta's largest hub between the East Coast and the Mountain West, serving roughly 30 million passengers a year and acting as the airline's primary midwestern gateway to Asia and Europe. DTW splits into two physically separate buildings: the modern McNamara Terminal (2002), used by Delta and SkyTeam partners, and the older North Terminal (2008), used by every other airline. The terminals are not connected — passengers transferring between them need a 10-minute shuttle ride and to re-clear security.

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Terminals at DTW

McNamara Terminal
Delta, Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, WestJet
Three concourses (A, B, C) connected by an airside Express Tram. Concourse A is nearly a mile long. Westin hotel is connected airside.
North Terminal (Evans Terminal)
American, Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United, Frontier, Lufthansa, Air Canada, Royal Jordanian
Single linear concourse handling everyone except Delta's family. Federal Inspection Services for non-SkyTeam international.

Getting to Detroit Metropolitan

Mode Details Cost Frequency
SMART FAST 261 busDirect service to downtown Detroit's Rosa Parks Transit Center via I-94. Limited stops, faster than local bus.$2Every 30-60 min
TaxiDowntown Detroit is about 20 miles. Designated stands on the arrivals level at both terminals.$60-75 to downtownOn demand
RidesharePickup zones on the ground transportation level. Cheaper than taxi for most central trips.$35-55 to downtownOn demand
Inter-terminal shuttle busConnects McNamara and North Terminal landside; runs every 10-15 minutes. Required for inter-terminal transfers.FreeEvery 10-15 min
Hotel and off-airport shuttlesHotels in Romulus, Allen Park, and Dearborn run free shuttles every 20-30 minutes.Free with stayEvery 20-30 min

Parking at DTW

Tier Rate Shuttle Best for
McNamara Terminal Parking Deck (Big Blue Deck)$40/day maxConnected by skybridgeShort stays, McNamara departures
North Terminal Garage$30/day maxWalk to terminalShort stays, North Terminal
Economy Lot (Green Lot)$13/dayFree shuttle every 10-15 minTrips of 3 days or longer
Off-airport lots (Romulus)$8-12/dayOperator shuttles 10-15 minLowest rates
Valet (McNamara)$45/dayCurbside dropPremium short stays

Lounges at DTW

Delta Sky Club
📍 McNamara — concourses A, B, and C (multiple)
Delta One, Amex Platinum (Delta same-day), paid annual
Air France-KLM Lounge
📍 McNamara concourse A
SkyTeam Elite Plus, business class on long-haul
American Admirals Club
📍 North Terminal
American premium cabin, oneworld Emerald, paid
The Club at DTW
📍 North Terminal
Priority Pass, paid day pass

Top destinations from DTW

Destination Country From
London (LHR)United Kingdom$449Open route guide →
Paris (CDG)France$449Open route guide →
Rome (FCO)Italy$449Open route guide →
Los Angeles (LAX)United States$169Open route guide →
New York (JFK)United States$119Open route guide →
Miami (MIA)United States$169Open route guide →

Airlines at DTW

Delta Air Lines Air France KLM Lufthansa Spirit Airlines Southwest Airlines American Airlines United Airlines

5 things you didn't know about Detroit Metropolitan

Verified by the CompareFlights team
  1. 1Detroit Metropolitan's McNamara Terminal (2002) was the first major US terminal built with a fully automated people mover (the ExpressTram) running its entire length — a 'walk anywhere by tram' design that influenced subsequent US airport projects.
  2. 2Delta's DTW hub handles more direct flights to Asia (Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai) than any Delta hub except SLC — making Detroit the cheapest US Midwest gateway to Asia for many travelers.
  3. 3DTW's air traffic control tower is one of the tallest in the US at 350 feet — built in 2002 specifically to give controllers visibility over the McNamara Terminal's elevated profile.
  4. 4The colorful underground walkway between terminals — the 'Light Tunnel' — features rotating LED installations choreographed to ambient music, making it a frequent traveler-photography subject.
  5. 5DTW's McNamara Terminal lounges feature seating designed in collaboration with Detroit's auto industry — the leather and metal-frame lounges in the Sky Club were designed to evoke 1960s American muscle cars.

Frequently asked about DTW

Are McNamara and North Terminal connected?

No. They're separate buildings on opposite sides of the airfield, with no airside or post-security connection. Transfers between them require a free landside shuttle bus (about 10 minutes) followed by re-clearing TSA at the second terminal. Allow at least 90 minutes for inter-terminal connections.

Which terminal does Delta use?

Delta and all SkyTeam partners (Air France, KLM, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, Aeromexico, WestJet) operate from the McNamara Terminal. McNamara is also where the Delta Sky Clubs and the Westin hotel connection are located.

What's the fastest way between concourses inside McNamara?

The Express Tram. It runs along the inside of concourse A and stops at concourses B and C as well, taking under 5 minutes end to end. Walking the full length of concourse A from gate A1 to A78 is nearly a mile, so the tram is well worth using if you have a tight connection.

Is there a hotel directly connected to DTW?

Yes. The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport sits on top of the McNamara Terminal and is accessible airside (post-security) via a walkway near concourse A. It's a popular choice for early-morning Delta departures and tight connections involving an overnight.

Nearby airports

Bishop International (Flint) (FNT)
65 mi NW
Allegiant base, occasional fare advantages
Toledo Express (TOL)
60 mi S
Small Ohio regional, limited service
Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
230 mi NE
Sometimes cheaper for transatlantic flights from Canadian carriers