Detroit Metropolitan Airport Continues to see Growth This Holiday Season

DETROIT (Nov. 19, 2024) – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) expects to welcome over four million travelers this holiday season, an increase of six percent compared to last year. The table below provides an overview of the estimated passenger traffic through Jan. 5, 2025.  

“We continue to see growth in passenger traffic during the holidays, and we’re determined to wow our customers as we enter the busy travel season,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton. “From new flights and shopping options to a Multi-Sensory Room, our entire team at DTW has been working hard to make our award-winning customer experience even better.” 

DTW, in partnership with Delta Air Lines, recently unveiled the Multi-Sensory Room. Located in the Edward H. McNamara Terminal, the room is designed to provide a calm, supportive and safe environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities or cognitive disabilities, and their families. Travelers can find the room across from Gate A36, behind Pandora. Those wishing to utilize the room must use their cell phones to call for an access code to enter. The Multi-Sensory Room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has a maximum capacity of six occupants. 

Travelers will have more options for holiday shopping with the recent additions of the Small Business Operators Arriving Ready (SOAR) program participants, Quix Chocolate and Rebel Nell. SOAR was created to provide business owners the opportunity to operate their specialty retail concept in the Warren Cleage Evans Terminal. Quix and Rebel Nell are located across from Gate D12.

In December, customers can enjoy local musicians performing holiday favorites live in the Evans and McNamara terminals. Also, Santa Claus is slated for a few visits in the Evans Terminal.

New flights are coming to DTW just in time for the holidays. Delta will offer nonstop flights to the Turks and Caicos Islands beginning December 21, and Tulum, Mexico on January 11. 

Also, Delta will resume flights to Nassau, Bahamas December 21. The route has been inactive since March 2020.

Here are a few tips to help prepare for a trip to DTW during the holidays:

• Arrive early! Everything is easier when you’re not rushing. During the holidays, the airport welcomes a higher percentage of infrequent travelers who may need extra time. It is important to arrive early to avoid the stress of rushing to your flight. The airport recommends arriving two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Allowing extra time will enable you to park, check baggage, proceed through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening and reach your departure gate.

• Use the DTW Destination Pass to create even more holiday memories. DTW has made it easier for guests to access the Evans and McNamara terminals with the DTW Destination Pass program. In late 2023, DTW installed self-service kiosks allowing non-ticketed guests to apply for a pass and, if approved, enjoy same-day access to the terminals to greet family and friends arriving at their gate, spend more time with departing loved ones, and even explore the airport’s popular restaurants and stores. Since installing the kiosks, more than 64,000 Destination Passes have been issued. Information about the DTW Destination Pass program is available at metroairport.com/about-us/dtw-destination-pass.

• Active loading & unloading at the terminal curb fronts will be strictly enforced.   

  • Never leave your vehicle on the arrivals or departures curb unattended. Unattended vehicles will be ticketed and towed. 

  • The curb fronts at both terminals are reserved for active loading and unloading only and can become extremely congested during peak times. Airport Police will be doing their best to move motorists along to prevent traffic backups. Take advantage of the airport’s short-term parking at both terminals – $4 for 30 minutes or less, and $6 for up to an hour.

  • Pre-arrange a meeting location with the traveler you are picking up. In addition to short term parking lots, two complimentary cell phone lots are available at the north and south ends of the airport. Please visit the following link for a map: metroairport.com/terminals/maps/campus-map.

• Don’t wrap gifts before traveling. Packages that are wrapped may need to be opened by TSA, causing disappointment and delays at the screening checkpoints.

• Check your bags for prohibited items BEFORE arriving at the airport. Attempting to proceed through TSA screening with prohibited items in your bag will delay the screening process for you and other passengers. To find out what is considered a prohibited item, visit tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips, and remember prohibited items are more than just weapons. All liquids and gels over 3.4 ounces are prohibited in carry-on baggage.

• Arrange for assistance in advance. The Airport Authority and its partners are committed to providing a welcoming and convenient travel experience for all passengers. Travelers who may require additional assistance should advise their airline or TSA ahead of time. More information can be found at metroairport.com/at-dtw/getting-around/accessibility-additional-assistance or by calling TSA Cares: 855-787-2227.

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed more than 31 million passengers in 2023. As one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs, DTW offers service from 17 scheduled passenger airlines. Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 800 flights per day to and from more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport earned Airports Council International’s 2020 and 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport by Size and Region (25 to 40 million passengers per year in North America). DTW has also garnered three prestigious awards for customer satisfaction since 2010. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.