Last updated 5857 minutes ago
Average security wait time at DTW: 10 min
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Try Fast Pass Free for 7 DaysCurrent security wait times at each DTW terminal
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Fast Pass members get Smart Routing — we tell you which terminal has the shortest wait and give you step-by-step directions including train times between terminals.
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Carry-on only. Checked bags must go through your ticketed terminal.
Know which terminal to head to before you arrive
| Terminal | Airlines |
|---|---|
| McNamara Terminal | Delta Air Lines, Air France, KLM, Korean Air |
| North Terminal | American, United, Southwest, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue |
See how terminals are connected and plan your route through Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Schematic layout -- not to scale. Times shown are approximate transit times between terminals.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport is a major Delta Air Lines hub and the largest airport in Michigan. It has two terminals — the McNamara Terminal (mostly Delta) and the North Terminal (all other airlines). The McNamara Terminal features one of the longest airport concourses in the world at over 1 mile long.
Terminals
2
Checkpoints
2
TSA PreCheck
Available
The McNamara Terminal security checkpoint is one of the most efficient in the country — Delta passengers rarely wait more than 15 minutes.
The North Terminal can have longer waits since it consolidates all non-Delta airlines into one checkpoint.
There is no airside connection between terminals; allow extra time if you need to change terminals.
The McNamara Terminal has a moving walkway system that stretches the entire length of the concourse — use it.
Tuesday and Wednesday departures typically have the shortest security lines.
Enroll in TSA PreCheck ($78 for 5 years) to use expedited screening lanes. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on and leave laptops and liquids in bags.
Remove prohibited items before joining the line. The most common causes of secondary screening are oversized liquids, forgotten water bottles, and loose electronics.
The fastest way? Let GateReady do the work.
Fast Pass members get tools that take the guesswork out of DTW security:
Long security lines are not inevitable. Several trusted traveler programs let you bypass the standard screening queue at DTW. Here is what is available and what each program costs.
Available at DTW and 200+ US airports
TSA PreCheck members use a dedicated screening lane where you can keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on. Laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids stay in your bag. The average PreCheck wait time is under 5 minutes nationwide.
CLEAR is available at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
CLEAR uses biometric screening (fingerprints or iris scan) to verify your identity, letting you skip the ID verification line entirely. When paired with TSA PreCheck, you go from the CLEAR lane directly into the PreCheck screening line — often clearing security in under 2 minutes.
Several travel credit cards reimburse the enrollment fees for trusted traveler programs. These cards pay for themselves by covering your PreCheck, Global Entry, or CLEAR membership costs as a statement credit.
$400/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus points
$525/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
Signup bonus: 80,000 bonus miles
The current average security wait time at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is approximately 10 min. Wait times are updated every 15 minutes to keep you informed.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport has 2 terminals, each with its own security checkpoint. Wait times vary by terminal and time of day. GateReady tracks each checkpoint individually so you can compare in real time on the DTW live dashboard.
Yes, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport offers TSA PreCheck at multiple checkpoints. PreCheck members can keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in bags. Enrollment costs $78 for five years. DTW also offers CLEAR, a separate biometric screening service that lets you skip the ID verification line entirely (from $189/year).
For domestic flights at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, arrive at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure. For international flights, arrive 3 hours early. During holiday periods and peak travel times, add an extra 30-60 minutes. Use GateReady's Best Time to Arrive calculator for a personalized recommendation based on current DTW security conditions.
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Best for international travelers
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck and adds expedited US customs processing when you return from international trips. Instead of waiting in the standard customs line, you use a kiosk with facial recognition and walk through in minutes. If you fly internationally even once a year, Global Entry is the better value over standalone PreCheck.
Best for US-Canada travelers
NEXUS is a joint US-Canada trusted traveler program that includes both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits at the same price as Global Entry alone. If you travel between the US and Canada, NEXUS is the best overall value — you get expedited screening in both countries plus all the domestic PreCheck benefits.
$650/year annual fee
Reimburses: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, CLEAR
See all cards with travel perks on the full comparison page.
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GateReady provides independent airport intelligence. Wait time estimates are based on real-time data and may vary. Not affiliated with TSA or any airport authority.
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