Detroit Metro Airport

Continent: North America

Country: United States

Region: Michigan

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Location	Romulus, Michigan
IATA code	DTW
ICAO code	KDTW
Airport type	Commercial
Website	http://www.metroairport.com
Overview map	Google Maps
Communications
Tower	118.40 East 135.00 West
Ground	119.25 Southeast 119.45 Northeast 121.80 Northwest 132.72 Southwest
Clearance	120.65
Approach	124.25 East Feeder 124.97 West Feeder 126.22 Third Feeder 125.15 East Arrival 124.05 West Arrival 128.475 Third Arrival
Departure	132.025 East Jet 125.525 West Jet
ATIS	133.675
Departure	122.95

Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW), also known as Detroit Metro, is in Romulus, Michigan. It is the 12th largest airport in the world and largest in Michigan. It is one of Delta Air Lines' largest hubs. DTW is also a hub for Delta Connection carriers Endeavor and Compass airlines and a hub for low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines. Operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority, DTW has 6 runways, three terminals, and 158 gates. In 2005 DTW served 36,389,294 passengers.

DTW has 3 terminals, the McNamara, which serves DL and its partners, built in 2002, it brought a new name to DTW with its high-class feel. The McNamara has won several awards by trusted aviation sources. Many consider it to be one of the best terminals in the world.

DTW's second terminal is the L.C. Smith terminal. The L.C. Smith Terminal (or the Smith Terminal) opened in 1957, houses all other airlines (other than charters and Spirit internationals). The Smith has 32 gates. The Smith will be torn down and all airlines moved to the new North Terminal when the new terminal is complete in 2008.

DTW's last terminal is the Berry Terminal. The Berry has 4 gates and houses charter airlines and Spirit International (Cancun) flights.

Official Spotting Locations

The observation deck at the Smith is officially closed, no more official spotting locations.

Other Spotting Locations

Use Google Earth to find these nice spotting locations in and around DTW. [1]

Excellent viewing area located in hotel parking lot. The hotel is at the corner of Merriman & Wick roads, just across I94 from the threshold of 21R. Excellent photos of aircraft on short finals or early in takeoff climb.

On top of the MacNamara Terminal parking garage gives you runway 3L, you can catch DC-9 powerbacks on the drop off area on check-in level of the MacNamara. Big Blue Deck offers 21R. Over at the Smith you can catch US Airways gate operations on luggage claim level all the way down. On the arrivals level if you walk towards the construction you can get Spirit gates, taxing aircraft towards 22L. There are plenty of other spotting places at DTW, just wander around and you should find them.

Airside spotting at MacNamara terminal is nice as well. Be aware though that ALMOST all windows have a dot pattern. Apparently that is used to keep the heat out. Because of that, you only got limited options to take photos from. Basically, the only windows without the dots are between gate A76 and A78. From here you can see operations on all runways except 09R/27L. However photographs can only be had from 09L/27R. On the bright side, there is a busy taxiway in front of you with behind that the Smith terminal.

Another great spotting location is the Green Lot. There you will find yourself mere feet away from the wings of the airplanes taking off 21R. You will have to use around 25-35 zoom for larger planes, or 50-70 for smaller planes. The overall best place to spot I have ever found.

Locations to Avoid

When spotting out on Wick Road in the large field, do NOT stray towards the building (closer to the hotels), this is an FAA building and they aren't very happy about spotters near the building. They tend to leave you alone in the field though.

Spotting Locations Map

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Regular Traffic

There is always huge amounts of DL traffic because of it being one of Delta's largest hubs. Being that it is also a Spirit (NK) hub, you will see moderate amounts of NK as well. Visitors typically include A330's (from several airlines), 757's (both -200's and -300's), A319/A320/A321's, and an assortment of CRJ's.

Commercial Airlines, Aircraft, and Terminal

Airline	Aircraft	Terminal-Concourse
Air Canada Express	CRJ-200	North-D
Air France	777-200(ER)	McNamara-A
Aeroméxico	737-700	McNamara-A
Aeroméxico Connect	E190	McNamara-A
Alaska Airlines	737-700	North-D
American Airlines	A319, A320, 737-800, MD-90	North-D
American Eagle	ERJ-145 (operated by Piedmont), E175	North-D
Delta Air Lines	A319, A320, A321, A330-200, A330-300, A350-900, 717-200, 737-800, 737-900, 757-200, 757-300, 767-300	McNamara-A
Delta Connection	CRJ-100 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), CRJ-200 (operated by Endeavor Air), CRJ-700 (operated by SkyWest Airlines), CRJ-900 (operated by Endeavor Air, SkyWest Airlines, and GoJet), E170, E175	McNamara-A, B, C
Frontier Airlines	A319, A320, A321	North-D
JetBlue Airways	A320, E190	North-D
Lufthansa	747-400	North-D
Southwest Airlines	737-700, 737-800	North-D
Spirit Airlines	A319, A320, A321	North-D
United Airlines	737-700, 737-800	North-D
United Express	CRJ-700 (operated by Mesa Airlines), E175 (operated by Mesa Airlines)	North-D
WOW Air	A321	North-D

Facilities and Transportation

Transportation between terminals is provided via buses for free. The buses will read "Terminal-Westin-Terminal" and are your typical hotel-type buses. Transportation to the Green lot and other remote parking lots is provided via 15 passenger vans. The vans will show the lots they can take you to/from.