Detroit Metro Airport Tops Passenger Satisfaction Rankings

Author Kayla Morgan

September 21st 5:07 PM

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) was the top-ranked airport for customer satisfaction among mega airports, per the 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study by J.D. Power. DTW scored 800 points on a scale of 1,000 in the mega airport category. The airport serves 33 million or more passengers annually. This score represents a nine-point increase from 2022 and a 14-point improvement compared to 2019 when DTW last received this recognition.

The J.D. Power annual survey gathered feedback from over 27,000 travelers, evaluating their experiences across six key factors, ranked in order of importance: terminal facilities, airport arrival/departure processes, baggage claim, security checks, check-in/baggage check procedures, and the quality of food, beverage, and retail services.

High marks for Detroit Metro Airport

According to the survey findings, Detroit excelled in several categories, including terminal facilities, security checks, and the quality and availability of food, beverage, and retail services. As a result, Detroit Metro Airport outperformed Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport to secure the top spot.

This achievement by Detroit’s airport comes in the face of formidable challenges such as record-breaking passenger numbers, pilot shortages, and nationwide flight disruptions caused by adverse weather conditions.

Improvements for DTW

According to the Airport Authority, DTW and its partners have prioritized ongoing improvements throughout its campus. In the past year, the airport has implemented several enhancements, including the expanded use of biometric and facial recognition technology to expedite the boarding process. Additionally, there have been strategic adjustments to concession locations, along with improvements in the Evans Terminal, such as the renovation of the Pet Relief Area, installation of Step-N-Wash step stools in restrooms, the inclusion of USB charging ports, and the refreshment of the Hydrate Kids Play Area.

Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton said regarding the J.D. Power Award, “We are always looking to raise the bar for customer service as we take Detroit to the world and bring the world to Detroit.”

Take a look at the complete North America Airport Satisfaction Study here.

Top 5 Reasons Detroit Shouldn’t Be On The Ugliest Cities List

There are some cities across the U.S. that look stunning, while there are others that make you want to look the other way. A travel site has compiled a list of the ugliest cities in each state. When making them list they considered lack of maintenance and poor design choices.

In Michigan, one can find several beautiful places such as those with lakes, scenic views, waterfalls, and more. According to Alot Travel, a travel site, Detroit is considered one of the ugliest cities.

Why did they list Detroit as one of the “ugliest” cities?

Though Detroit is on the up and up, the travel site said that “It’s got a reputation for being a bad place to live, and it’s also a pretty ugly place to live too.” They even pulled a comment about the city from a Reddit user that said, “I mean, just look at a satellite map of Detroit. Once you leave the i94, m10, i75, i375 rectangle (the path that Woodward takes), it gets real ugly real fast.”

Many Detroit outsiders think of the city and instantly picture post-apocalyptic images of abandoned vehicles and crumbling homes, churches, and streets. While others may see Detroit as an ugly city, we know where to find beauty beyond what outsiders may believe.

Despite what their list says, what makes Detroit a beautiful city? The city’s culture, sense of community, low cost of living, options for entertainment, its outdoor scene, make it beautiful. Not only is it located in the Great Lakes state, but there are also stunning places to check out within Motor City.

See the full list of the ugliest cities from all 50 states here.

Here are 5 reasons why Detroit is not the ugliest city in Michigan.

Reason 5 | There’s never a dull moment and always something beautiful to explore.
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In Detroit, you can discover new restaurants, explore art galleries, see a show, catch a game, even if the teams aren’t the best, and more. There are plenty of things to look forward to in Detroit including pop-ups and seasonal adventures. You have Campus Martius in the summer and Christmas markets in the winter.
There are several places to catch scenic views and plenty of activities.
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There are many options for hiking, swimming, rowing, running, and picnics. Detroit is actually home to one of the largest city-owned island parks in the U.S., according to the Detroit Historical Society. The 982 acres park, Belle Isle, is larger than New York City’s Central Park at only 843 acres. There are also a variety of playfields, greenways, and plazas including the 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway. Another beautiful stop is the Detroit Riverwalk which has been named the Best Riverwalk in America three years in a row by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards.
Reason 3 | It has beautiful architecture.
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Famous architects who have stunning buildings in Detroit include Albert Kahn (Fisher Building), Minoru Yamasaki (One Woodward Avenue, Wayne State University’s McGregor Conference Center and College of Education, Federal Reserve Bank, and others), and C. Howard Crane (Fox Theatre). You can’t forget about the Masonic Temple’s magnificent lobby which is the work of sculptor Corrado Parducci and is an adaptation of a Sicilian castle. Also, architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed a house in the Palmer Woods neighborhood.
Reason 2 | There are several theaters with a rich history.
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The city has more than 40 theaters including the Fox Theatre which opened in 1928 and Max M. Fisher Music Center.
Reason 1 | It’s full of arts and culture.
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Detroit has several murals scattered around the city. As a matter of fact, the Z Garage in downtown Detroit features murals from over 20 artists across the country. Last year, Detroit's Eastern Market held its Murals in the Market event, which brought artists to paint murals.

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Author Kayla Morgan

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Detroit Metro Airport Tops Passenger Satisfaction Rankings

High marks for Detroit Metro Airport

Improvements for DTW

Top 5 Reasons Detroit Shouldn’t Be On The Ugliest Cities List

Why did they list Detroit as one of the “ugliest” cities?

Reason 5 | There’s never a dull moment and always something beautiful to explore.

There are several places to catch scenic views and plenty of activities.

Reason 3 | It has beautiful architecture.

Reason 2 | There are several theaters with a rich history.

Reason 1 | It’s full of arts and culture.

Sign me up for the Praise Network email newsletter!

Stay connected to all things Detroit Praise Network and join the Detroit Praise Club! As a Detroit Praise Club member, you get a VIP chance to win prizes, concert tickets, and receive updates on the latest happenings in Detroit.

More Detroit Local