From when to arrive and where kids can burn off energy to family restrooms, food stops and a few little-known airport perks, Detroit Metro Airport shares its best advice for making family travel day easier.
Q&A with Cortez Strickland | Communications & Public Relations Manager, Detroit Metro Airport
Flying with kids can make even experienced travelers rethink their airport routine. There are bags to check, snacks to pack, security lines to navigate and, inevitably, someone who needs a bathroom just as you reach the gate.
Fortunately, Detroit Metro Airport has quite a few features designed to make the experience easier for families, including play areas, nursing rooms, family restrooms, moving walkways, therapy dogs and even a digital scavenger hunt.
Michigan Family Travel asked Cortez Strickland, Communications & Public Relations Manager at Detroit Metro Airport, what families should know before their next flight. Here’s his advice.
Before You Go
What should families know before arriving at Detroit Metro Airport?
Before heading to DTW, make sure everyone who needs identification has a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification if flying domestically.
We also recommend downloading your airline’s mobile app for the most up-to-date information, including flight status and gate changes.
Finally, know which terminal you’ll need. Delta Air Lines and SkyTeam Airline Alliance operate from the McNamara Terminal; all other airlines use the Evans Terminal.
How early should families arrive when traveling with children?
For domestic travel, we recommend arriving at least two hours prior to departure. For international travel, arriving a minimum of three hours in advance is recommended.
This ensures you have enough time for parking, security screening and locating your departure gate.
What are some of the most common mistakes families make before a flight?
The biggest mistakes are arriving too late, forgetting to check ID requirements, not knowing which terminal your airline uses and not downloading your airline’s mobile app for important flight updates.
Another common mistake is not ensuring all carry-on bags are checked thoroughly for prohibited items before leaving the house.
Family-Friendly Amenities at DTW
What amenities are available for families traveling with young children?
DTW offers a wide range of amenities designed to make travel enjoyable for families.
In the McNamara Terminal, families can enjoy the Light Tunnel’s synchronized music and colorful lighting, take photos in front of the Water Feature or challenge each other at the Gameway Video Game Lounges. Sweet-toothed travelers can find treats at Dylan’s Candy Bar, and later this year, a LEGO store will open.
The ExpressTram inside McNamara helps families easily navigate Concourse A, along with moving walkways in Concourses A, B and C.
Over at the Evans Terminal, children can burn off energy at the Dasani Play Area near Gate D16. LEGO sets are even available for purchase from a vending machine in the terminal.
Budding artists may enjoy seeing reproductions from the Detroit Institute of Arts displayed throughout the terminal. The Evans Terminal has one concourse, D, and moving walkways help make traveling with children and strollers a breeze.
In both the Evans and McNamara terminals, families will find a variety of family-friendly food options. They can also take part in DTW’s free digital scavenger hunt and airport trivia by scanning the QR code displayed on monitors in the gate areas, turning travel time into an adventure before boarding.
If you’re looking to unwind a bit, the DTW Dogs Pet Therapy Program offers a calming pre-flight experience, with more than 50 certified therapy dogs regularly visiting both terminals.
Both terminals are great for plane spotting as well.
Are there family restrooms, nursing rooms or other helpful spaces parents should know about?
We offer a variety of supportive services for traveling families, including DTW Airport Ambassador volunteers who help with finding gates, restaurants and other services, along with family restrooms and nursing rooms for parents traveling with infants.
The McNamara Terminal also offers a Multi-Sensory Room dedicated to providing a calm, supportive and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities or cognitive disabilities, as well as their families.
The space includes soothing colors, sounds and activities to support relaxation and comfort.
Are there quieter areas where families can take a break?
DTW provides tranquil and comfortable areas within both terminals, allowing families to find a sense of calm. Our Reflection Rooms are ideal for quiet meditation and personal reflection, in addition to our McNamara Terminal Multi-Sensory Room.
Food & Shopping With Kids
Which restaurants or snack stops are especially family-friendly?
Families have a host of dining options across both terminals, from quick grab-and-go bites to sit-down restaurants.
Kid-friendly favorites include Chick-fil-A, Buddy’s Pizza, McDonald’s, National Coney Island and Leo’s Coney Island, along with Dylan’s Candy Bar for a sweet treat.
Are there any local favorites or hidden gems inside the airport that visitors often overlook?
At the Evans Terminal, the Detroit Institute of Arts Inside-Out program displays reproductions of DIA artworks within the airport, providing travelers and guests with the opportunity to experience museum-quality art prior to their flight or during layovers.
During the winter holiday season, local musicians and school choirs are invited to perform for passengers at both terminals as part of our holiday concert series.
Making Family Travel Easier
What advice would you give parents flying with children for the first time?
If possible, book an early morning flight and arrive at the airport with plenty of extra time. Traveling with children often means moving at a slower pace, and having a little extra time helps reduce stress.
Packing more snacks and entertainment than you think you’ll need can also make your trip more enjoyable.
We encourage travelers to review airline policies and FAQs to have a better understanding of procedures and processes. Families should also be aware of TSA screening procedures and check what they’re allowed to bring through the checkpoint before heading to the airport.
What services are available for travelers who may need extra assistance?
Prior to arriving at the airport, customers who may need assistance are encouraged to coordinate any necessary arrangements with their respective airline. Specific requirements can be communicated at the ticket counter upon arrival, too.
DTW also has autonomous wheelchairs in the Evans Terminal to assist passengers who may require support walking long distances or navigating within the airport.
Do you have any insider tips frequent travelers know but first-time visitors might not?
The DTW Destination Pass allows non-ticketed visitors to pass through security to greet arriving travelers at their gate or spend extra time with departing loved ones.
Visitors can also enjoy many of the airport’s dining and shopping options beyond the security checkpoint.
A valid government-issued ID is required to obtain a pass, and availability is subject to TSA approval. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
What Makes DTW Special?
What makes Detroit Metro Airport unique?
Thanks to our dedicated staff, federal partners and airline partners, DTW consistently ranks among the top airports in North America for customer satisfaction.
As a major hub for Delta Air Lines, we’re able to offer travelers the connectivity of a large airport while still delivering an experience that feels personal, efficient and true to Detroit.
We have a strong lineup of local dining and shopping options while also providing supportive programs like the DTW Dogs Pet Therapy Program.
Three Fun Facts About DTW
1. You may recognize it from a movie!
The 2009 comedy-drama Up in the Air, starring George Clooney, was partially filmed at DTW, primarily using the McNamara Terminal for airport-setting sequences.
2. DTW can take families a long way.
The airport offers more than 125 nonstop destinations across three continents and handles roughly 800 aircraft arrivals and departures daily.
3. That famous tunnel has thousands of lights.
The Light Tunnel in the McNamara Terminal features more than 9,000 LED lights synchronized with music, making it one of the airport’s most recognizable attractions.
Before Your Family Takes Flight
For families, one of the biggest takeaways is simple: give yourself time.
Knowing your terminal before you arrive, downloading your airline’s app and checking bags for prohibited items at home can help eliminate some of the most common travel-day problems. Once you’re through security, DTW’s play spaces, art, food, scavenger hunt, therapy dogs and plane-spotting opportunities can help make the airport part of the adventure rather than simply the place you wait for your flight.
Plan Ahead for Your Next Flight
Terminal maps, parking information, current dining and shopping options and additional traveler resources can help families know what to expect before leaving home.
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