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Transferring Terminals at the Detroit Airport

Posted by (Tucson) on

I've never flown into or out of Detroit before. I did my best to use the airport's website, but I just want to verify what I think I learned.

My American Airlines flight(s) from Tucson will arrive in Detroit at the North Terminal. My Delta flight for Amsterdam will take off from the McNamara Terminal. It looks like I'll have to go to Ground Transportation to take a shuttle between the two terminals.

And based on this sentence, "If you need to switch terminals, you must clear security screening before entering. Plan your time accordingly to make sure you don't miss a connecting flight." I'm interpreting this as a requirement to go through security again at McNamara. There appears to be no way to stay airside between the two terminals. Is that correct?

Posted by
4154 posts

I'll be flying standby on Delta. I'll have about 2 hours between my AA arrival and the first Delta option to Amsterdam at 18:00. However, there are 2 more after that to be rolled over to if needed. I'd actually prefer one of those later flights, but I'm always grateful for any seat I can get.

Posted by
23267 posts

It has been awhile but seem to remember two separate wings with separate security in each wing.

Posted by
1194 posts

Unfortunately, you need to clear security a second time. And Detroit TSA can get weird. Sometimes they demand you to take all your electronics out of your bag. Sometimes they come up behind you and frisk you.

Know that McNamara has an upstairs and downstairs screening area (levels 2 & 3). If the line is long at the sky bridge (level 2) then seek the other level at ticketing (level 3).

The inter terminal McNamara trains are currently down for service. I’ve not sure when they’ll be up. Be prepared to walk a ways in the terminal.

One thing you need to know - Detroit has a very short runway. The plane will touch down and immediately slam on the brakes. It’s kind of “fun” watching people that aren’t expecting it. They don’t quite hit the seat in front of them. It’s especially fun if there’s some ice on the runway.

Posted by
1194 posts

I'll have about 2 hours between my AA arrival and the first Delta option to Amsterdam at 18:00.

International flights usually start boarding one hour prior to takeoff. Your previous flight will take 30 minutes to deplane so that leaves you with 30 minutes to transfer and do security. It’ll be tight. And the airport is fairly busy that time of day.

Posted by
183 posts

They're separate terminals about a mile apart. Two hours is cutting it really really close. Delta not have service to DTW from Tucson?

BTW - DTW has long runways - two 10K feet and one 12K foot runway.

Posted by
1194 posts

BTW - DTW has long runways - two 10K feet and one 12K foot runway.

Several runways are at 8,500 feet. The minimum for a larger plane is 8000 feet, hence the interesting landings.

Posted by
4154 posts

Thanks everyone for all the info. I'll have to ask my pilot son about the short runways. He's a SkyWest captain and will be posted in Detroit until March. Funny he didn't mention them when he said he thought it would be better for me to fly out of Detroit than Minneapolis. I will be landing in Detroit on a SkyWest flight from Chicago, so I'll be prepared thanks to you. It will be in late May, so if there's ice then we've got lots bigger problems than a short runway.

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