As you embark on a layover journey to the captivating city of Washington D.C. from overseas, Detroit Airport will be your gateway to a seamless and enjoyable travel experience. Located in the heart of the Midwest, this massive hub offers the impressive McNamara Terminal, known for its tranquility and cleanliness. While airports may conjure images of hustle and bustle, Detroit’s McNamara Terminal surprises travelers with its serene ambiance, creating an environment that feels far from the typical airport setting.
With its bilingual signage and Japanese-friendly amenities, Detroit Airport caters to the needs of numerous Japanese travelers heading to the East Coast. The efficient layout and modern facilities ensure a smooth transition from arrival to departure. In this guide, we will walk you through the smartest ways to navigate Detroit Airport, enabling you to make the most of your layover and arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to explore the wonders of Washington D.C.
The Giant Hub Airport in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit Airport, located along the shores of Lake Huron in the Midwest, serves as a massive hub for air travel. As you embark on your journey to Washington D.C., understanding the ins and outs of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) will ensure a smooth and efficient layover experience. Let’s explore the smart ways to make the most of your layover at this bustling airport.
Navigating the McNamara Terminal – Delta Air Lines’ Major Hub
The McNamara Terminal is the largest terminal at the airport and has a long north-south layout, stretching for an impressive one mile. Not only that, but there are also satellite terminals located on the west side of the main terminal, connected via an underground tunnel.
The main terminal is called Concourse A and houses 64 gates, with 10 gates in the central area designated for international flights. The satellites are referred to as Concourse B and Concourse C, with Concourse B situated on the south side and Concourse C on the north side.
Gate numbers are preceded by the concourse symbol, such as A38, B12, and C24, making it easier to locate gates within the terminal.
Additionally, due to the length of Concourse A, an Express Tram, a monorail system, operates within the terminal. There are three stations in total – one in the center and one each on the south and north ends – allowing passengers to travel between them for free.
The McNamara Terminal features a Westin Hotel, directly connected to Concourse A. However, passengers must undergo security checks each time they enter or exit the concourse.
Located in the Midwest, Detroit Airport is conveniently positioned for layovers to cities on the East Coast, making it a popular choice for many Japanese travelers. As a result, almost all signs in the McNamara Terminal are bilingual, displaying information in both English and Japanese. Moreover, announcements within the terminal are broadcasted in the Eastern Time Zone, with messages delivered in English, followed by Japanese and Chinese.
Smooth Layover with Delta Air Lines
When flying with Delta Air Lines, your layover experience at DTW is designed for convenience. Delta offers comprehensive layover services, ensuring that you can complete all necessary procedures in one place, making your journey to Washington D.C. hassle-free.
Arrival at International Gates – Navigating Immigration
Arriving flights from overseas will land at one of the international gates: A24, A28, A30, A34, A36, A38, A40, A46, A50, or A54. Once the plane reaches the gate and passengers disembark, they will use the escalator on the left side to descend to the lower floor.
After that, passengers proceed to the immigration area. For arrivals at A24, A28, A30, A34, A36, A38, A40, or A46, upon reaching the wide corridor after descending the escalator, turn left. Be cautious not to go right, as that path only leads to arrival gates.
Upon reaching the immigration area, follow the signs and head to the “Visitor” line. If you are entering with an ESTA, join the ESTA line, or if you are entering with a VISA, join the VISA line. For ESTA holders, automated immigration kiosks are available. However, if it is your first entry with an ESTA or your first entry after passport renewal, you will need to undergo the traditional process with a manned counter.
The automated kiosks support multiple languages, and the process is straightforward – follow the on-screen instructions, complete the immigration procedure, and hand over the receipt from the kiosk to the immigration officer. During this process, the officer may ask about the purpose of your travel and the duration of your stay, so be prepared beforehand.
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Baggage Claim and Customs Inspection
After passing through immigration, you will find the baggage claim area on the same floor. There are multiple conveyor belts here, and the departure airport will be displayed on the electronic display board. Locate the appropriate belt to retrieve the checked luggage that you had checked in during the check-in process. However, please note that immediately after the plane arrives and the doors open, ground staff may announce the baggage claim area through the in-flight announcement system. If this happens, follow their instructions to proceed to the designated area.
Once you have collected your luggage, the usual procedure would be to proceed to customs. However, if you went through the automated immigration process at Detroit Airport, the customs procedure would have been completed during that process. Therefore, you do not need to take any additional steps at the customs area.
Beyond the baggage claim area, you will notice the flags of the United States, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the flag of Michigan. There, you will find several customs officers. Simply pass through this area, and you will have successfully entered the United States without any further formalities.
Layover Procedures and Finding your Boarding Gate
Once you have cleared customs, you will proceed to the next step, which is the layover procedure. On the left side from the customs area, you will find the exit leading outside, while on the right side, there are conveyor belts for re-checking your luggage and security checks. Directly in front of you, there are check-in counters for passengers on layover.
For most international departing flights, you would already have your layover boarding pass issued. Therefore, you can proceed to re-check your luggage and then go through security without stopping at the check-in counters.
After passing through security, turn right and take the escalator to reach the center of Concourse A. At this point, your layover process is complete. However, it’s important to note that from the moment you disembarked the plane until this point, you are not allowed to use any electronic devices, including cell phones, for security reasons.
Once the layover process is finished, you’ll need to locate your departure gate. Layover boarding passes issued in Japan may not indicate the layover gate, so you’ll have to find it yourself. Look for electronic display boards located in the concourse. The ones immediately after turning right from the security area and those positioned beneath the central station of Concourse A’s tram are particularly helpful.
Unlike in many countries where gates are displayed by the hour, in Detroit, they are listed by destination in alphabetical order. For instance, if your flight is heading to Reagan National Airport, it will be labeled as “Washington-Reagan” on the display. The gate number, departure time, and flight number will also be shown. A red circle with a tram symbol on the right indicates that the gate is conveniently located near the tram station. From the central station, proceed to the respective gates based on the displayed information.
The central station is situated just before a square with a fountain, and an escalator leads to the floor where the tram platform is located. Once you arrive at the platform, there will be an information map displaying the gates. Head to the station closest to your boarding gate. Note that if you can see the American flag from the platform, the left side is the North station, and the right side is the South station. Conversely, if you can see the fountain and airplanes, the right side is the North station, and the left side is the South station. Remember this for easy navigation.
Once you arrive at your chosen station, take the escalator back to the concourse floor and continue to find your departure gate.
Book a Layover with Sufficient Time
When using a connecting flight instead of a direct flight, it is highly recommended to allow at least 3 hours for layover time at the connecting airport.
Despite the partial automation of the immigration process, the U.S. immigration areas can get very crowded. Considering the time required for immigration, layover procedures, locating gates, and spending time within the airport, allowing 3 hours for the layover is advisable.
On the other hand, when departing from the United States, the temporary exit process is completed during check-in at Reagan National Airport. At Detroit Airport, once you arrive, you can directly proceed to the departure concourse and head straight to the international gates. Once you pass through the international departure gate, you are officially considered to have departed the country, so allowing around 1 hour for this process is sufficient.
Embrace the Tranquility of McNamara Terminal
When thinking of airports, many people imagine a bustling and hectic environment with crowds of people. However, Detroit Airport’s McNamara Terminal offers a surprisingly serene atmosphere, thanks to its vast size and high ceilings. The terminal is wrapped in tranquility, featuring a clean and modern interior with a predominant white and gray color scheme. At times, you may even witness piano concerts near the central fountain, creating an ambiance that feels far from what one would typically associate with an airport.
Furthermore, almost all areas are labeled in Japanese, and there are Japanese restaurants near the international gates, making it easy to forget that you are in the United States. The presence of such Japanese-friendly amenities allows many Japanese Traveler to feel at ease and comfortable throughout your journey.
Detroit Airport is particularly accommodating for Japanese travelers heading to destinations on the East Coast, including Washington D.C. For a unique experience, instead of landing at the heavily used Dulles Airport, which serves many international travelers, you may consider disembarking at Reagan Airport, a preferred choice for many American travelers.
Overall, Detroit Airport provides a pleasant and welcoming experience for layovers, making it a great option for Japanese travelers on their way to the East Coast.
