Flight Delayed or Cancelled at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)?
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is one of Delta's largest hubs and a key connecting point to Asia and Europe. Winter snow and Great Lakes weather drive many of its delays.
Airlines and terminals
Delta carries the large majority of DTW passengers. Southwest, American, United, Frontier, and others also serve Detroit.
DTW has two terminals: the McNamara Terminal, used by Delta and its partners, and the Evans Terminal for most other airlines.
Your options depend on the airline operating or selling your ticket. Airline guides: Delta, Southwest, American, United.
Common causes of delays at DTW
- Snow, ice, and de-icing
- Summer thunderstorms
- Knock-on delays from connecting banks
Crew and many maintenance problems are generally within the airline's control; weather is not. See our weather delay guide.
The DOT refund rule
Flights at DTW are covered by the US DOT refund rule (14 CFR Part 260). When a flight is cancelled or significantly changed, and you choose not to fly it and don't accept rebooking or a credit, the rule requires the airline to refund the fare, taxes, and unused paid extras to your original form of payment, for any cause.
A significant change includes departing 3+ hours earlier or arriving 3+ hours later than scheduled on a domestic trip (6+ hours international), a different airport, extra connections, or a cabin downgrade. Refunds are due within 7 business days for credit cards and 20 calendar days for other payment types. Accepting the rebooked flight or a credit generally ends the refund right.
Meals, hotels, and rebooking
On the DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard, large US airlines commit to free rebooking and a meal or meal voucher for 3+ hour waits when the disruption is within their control. All except Frontier also commit to a hotel and ride for overnight disruptions. Weather and air traffic control usually fall outside these commitments.
A local tip for DTW
If you're connecting to an international Delta flight at DTW, ask about partner airlines if the next Delta flight is a day away. Delta commits to partner rebooking for controllable disruptions.
What to do
- Screenshot every notice and reason the airline gives.
- Look at rebooking options in the app, then decide between rebooking and a refund.
- Ask for a meal voucher at the 3-hour mark if the cause is controllable.
- Keep receipts and boarding passes.
- Put your request in writing after the trip.
Related guides: Flight cancelled, Missed connection, How to request a refund in writing, All US airport guides. Not sure where to start? Check your flight.
FAQ
My Delta flight from Detroit was cancelled for snow. What can I ask for? You can choose rebooking or, under the DOT rule, a refund if you decline the new flight and any credit. Delta's meal and hotel commitments usually cover only controllable disruptions.
What if I already accepted a travel credit? Accepting a credit generally ends the refund right under the DOT rule. You can still ask the airline, but it may treat the credit as your choice.
Where can I complain if the airline doesn't respond? You can file a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. A clear written request with your records makes the next step easier.
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