Southwest Airlines Detroit Metro Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport

If you do not want any hassle at the Southwest Airlines Detroit Metro Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, then make sure to arrive informed. To familiarize yourself with all the details, you must read this post to learn about their DTW flights. This post will guide you through the terminal Southwest uses so that you can quickly go through everything at the airport. This page covers important information, including the procedures you have to follow at the airport, from check-in to boarding. 

You’ll also know about the shops and eateries available at the Southwest terminal, offering options for dining and last-minute purchases. You will also explore ground transportation options to and from the airport, helping you plan your journey organized. Finally, you will learn about the airline’s services at the airport, guaranteeing an enjoyable travel.

Terminal Used By Southwest At DTW

Southwest Airlines works out of Terminal North at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW). You can reach the Southwest Airlines Detroit Metro Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport with the help of directional signs or can get help from the staff around.

Procedures Followed Before Flight

Check out the procedures passengers follow before departing on a Southwest flight from the Southwest Airlines DTW departures terminal:

Check-in

Southwest makes check-in easy with two options. You can check in online using their website or mobile app starting 24 hours before your flight. This lets you choose your boarding position and can save you time at the airport. If you checked in at the airport, Southwest provides check-in counters inside the North Terminal. You can also use self-service kiosks to print your boarding passes and baggage tags.

Baggage Drop-off 

If you’re checking bags, go to the airline’s baggage drop-off area after check-in. Double-check that your bags meet Southwest’s size and weight limits.

Security Checkpoint

Go to the security checkpoint after you check in and drop off any bags. Make sure you have your boarding pass and photo ID ready. The North Terminal at Detroit Metro has many security checkpoints. You must remove your shoes, belt, and electronics from your bag for screening. If you want to go through security faster, consider signing up for TSA PreCheck.   

Finding Your Gate

To find your gate after arriving at DTW Airport, remember that Southwest usually uses gates in the D concourse of the North Terminal. But since gate assignments can change, you should always check your boarding pass and the airport monitors for the latest information. 

At the Gate

When you get to your gate, listen for boarding announcements. This airline has a special boarding process. They use boarding groups—A, B, and C—and give each person a number. Get your boarding pass and ID ready to board when your group gets a call.

Post-landing Procedures

After you arrive at the Southwest Airlines DTW arrivals terminal N, here’s what you can generally expect:

Deplaning

When your flight arrives at Southwest Airlines Detroit Metro Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, the plane will pull up to one of Southwest’s gates, usually D19-21 or D23, though cross-checking your flight information is always a good idea. Once the plane stops entirely and the gate is connected, the flight crew will let you know when it’s time to get off the plane. Just follow their instructions as you exit.

Proceeding to the Terminal

You’ll head into the terminal building after your Southwest flight lands at Detroit Metro’s North Terminal. You’ll either walk directly into the terminal via a jet bridge or exit the plane using stairs onto the tarmac. If you exit onto the tarmac, a shuttle bus will take you to the terminal. Once inside, directional signs will direct you to baggage claim if you checked any bags, ground transportation if you’re leaving the airport, or connecting flights if you have another flight to catch.

Baggage Claim 

Once you get done with your bags getting checked,  move to the baggage claim area, you’ll see carousels, each assigned for different arriving flights. Look at the monitors in baggage claim to find the carousel set for your flight. After you locate your bags, double-check they’re yours before you leave the area.

Exiting The DTW Airport

Leaving Detroit Metropolitan Airport’s North Terminal is easy, with many ground transportation choices. You can grab a taxi or rideshare from pick-up spots outside the terminal. If you need a rental car, you’ll find rental counters inside the terminal or a short shuttle ride away. For public transport, the SMART bus offers rides to downtown Detroit and other locations. Plus, many hotels provide free shuttle services to and from the airport, making your travel even smoother.

Dining Options Available At The Terminal N

Southwest Airlines Detroit Metro Terminal – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport offers many dining options with different tastes and preferences. Have a look at some of the dining options you can find:   

Restaurants

You’ve got some tasty choices when you’re hungry at the airport. Anita’s Kitchen serves delicious Lebanese food, with options to sit down or grab something. For a taste of Italy, Cantoro Italian Market Trattoria is a great pick; it’s a local, family-owned spot. Cat Cora’s Taproom offers a cultured menu featuring organic ingredients, local craft beers, and spirits if you want something more exclusive. And for a classic Detroit experience, you can always head to Leo’s Coney Island for a Coney dog or other regional favorites.

Quick Bites and Cafes

You have many options if you’re looking for a quick bite or a caffeine boost at the airport. You can get your coffee fix at Coffee Beanery or Caribou Coffee, both serving a variety of coffee, tea, and light snacks. 

Bars, Lounges & Other Options

You have a few good choices if you’re looking for a place to eat or drink at the North Terminal. Atwater Brewery lets you try local craft beers from a Detroit brewery. For something to eat, Plum Market with Zingerman’s offers gourmet food, sandwiches, and delicious baked goods. At the Southwest Airlines DTW Terminal, you can find snacks, drinks, and other quick bites at the newsstands and grab-and-go shops.

North Terminal Shopping at Detroit Metro Airport

The North Terminal offers a selection of stores to serve travelers’ needs. Check out some of the shops you can find:

For Travel Essentials

If you want something quickly before your flight, DTW Essentials is your one-stop for last-minute travel needs. They sell snacks, drinks, magazines, books, and basic toiletries.

For Duty-Free Shopping

To do some duty-free shopping, go to World Duty-Free near Gate D8. This store sells tax-free goods, including liquor, tobacco, perfumes, makeup, and gifts. It’s a great spot to buy something special while traveling outside the country.

Other Retail Options

Besides the leading stores, you’ll also find smaller newsstands and shops at the Southwest Airline Terminal Detroit Metro Airport. These offer souvenirs to remember your trip, local products to take home, and handy travel accessories you might have forgotten.

Southwest In-flight Amenities

It provides a comfortable and entertaining in-flight experience to the passengers. Here are the details of their in-flight amenities:

Entertainment

For entertainment, this airline offers a free portal you can access on your phone, tablet, or laptop once you’re on the plane. It lets you watch on-demand movies and popular TV shows, tune into live TV, listen to different kinds of music, and even track your flight’s progress on a map. 

Connectivity

Southwest keeps you connected in the air. You can buy Wi-Fi on most flights to browse the internet, check your email, and stay in touch. Even better, you can use iMessage and WhatsApp to message friends and family for free.

Food and Beverages

You’ll get free snacks on most Southwest flights longer than 250 miles. The snack choices might change, but there’s usually something tasty. You also get free drinks like water, soda, juice, coffee, and tea. If you’d like an alcoholic drink, you can buy one on your flight.   

Other Amenities

Southwest makes sure you have a comfortable flight with decent legroom in their seats. They also use open seating, which means you don’t have an assigned seat. Instead, you choose your seat when you board the plane; it’s first come, first served.

Queries Handled By Southwest Airlines

This airline handles many customer queries before, during, and after travel. Check out the common types of inquiries they address:   

List of all Southwest Airlines Terminal Globally

FAQs Section