---
title: "DTW is which airport? Detroit"
description: "DTW is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Detroit, United States. Where the code comes from, and the codes it gets mixed up with."
url: https://atoneplace.net/airport/dtw/
site: "At One Place"
---

# What airport is DTW?

**DTW is: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport**

Detroit, United States

## Why the code is DTW

DeTroit Wayne, from Wayne County, where it sits.

The airport authority or a contemporaneous record states this directly.

## The airport

- **IATA code:** DTW
- **ICAO code:** KDTW
- **Airport:** Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
- **City:** Detroit, United States
- **Code origin:** Documented

Its McNamara Terminal has a single concourse more than a mile long, served by an express tram, and a tunnel between concourses with a light and sound installation that has become the airport's only tourist attraction.

## The other code, KDTW

Every airport has two codes. The three-letter IATA code, DTW, is the one on your boarding pass and your luggage tag, and it is assigned for commercial use. The four-letter ICAO code, KDTW, is the one pilots and controllers use, and it is assigned geographically: the first letter or two identify the region, so every airport in the same part of the world shares a prefix. That is why KDTW looks nothing like DTW.

## Common questions

### What airport is DTW?

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, in Detroit, United States.

### Why is Detroit's airport called DTW?

DeTroit Wayne, from Wayne County, where it sits.

### What is the difference between DTW and KDTW?

DTW is the IATA code, used commercially — tickets, timetables, luggage tags. KDTW is the ICAO code, used operationally by pilots and air traffic control, and assigned geographically by region.

## Related pages

- [United States](https://atoneplace.net/country/united-states/)
- [The flag of United States](https://atoneplace.net/flag/united-states/)
- [Airport codes in United States](https://atoneplace.net/airport/in/united-states/)
- [What airport is JFK?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/jfk/)
- [What airport is LAX?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/lax/)
- [What airport is ORD?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ord/)
- [What airport is ATL?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/atl/)
- [What airport is MCO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/mco/)
- [What airport is DFW?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/dfw/)
- [What airport is EWR?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/ewr/)
- [What airport is SFO?](https://atoneplace.net/airport/sfo/)

## Sources

- OurAirports — OurAirports (https://ourairports.com/data/) [Public domain]