Global airport travel is rising, and is pretty much fully recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic that caused plummeting air travel rates. In 2023, nearly 863 million U.S. passengers flew on domestic and international flights. That’s a pretty big jump compared with 4.7 million in 2019, and 1.7 in 2020.
Now that passenger numbers are rising to ever-increasing heights, so too are the stress levels that come with that amount of plane travel due to overcrowded airports, cramped parking lots and garages, and of course, delayed flights. This has led to a desire for a higher value airport experience on the part of travelers as they seek to lower their stress and leverage a more meaningful trip.
From booking parking in advance at DTW airport to checking in online, here are some actions you can take that are proven to add value to your airport experience.
Hire Valet Parking or Book a Parking Spot
Whether you choose to park your car yourself and take a quick shuttle to the terminal, or you hire a valet to drop you off at the front, you can lower your stress exponentially when you square away the parking situation well beforehand. Whether you are going on a week-long trip with the family or taking off for a day or two for work, consider that Valet Connections DTW Parking offers affordable parking near the Detroit Metro Airport.
Our full-service parking company can help you book a reserved spot, with access to shuttles that arrive every 10 to 15 minutes to take you to the terminal. Or, if you choose, hire our valet service and trained professionals who will have your car ready for you whenever you need it, door to door. This is a no-brainer when wanting to add value to your trip. However, we can’t help you if you wait too long to book! Spots fill up fast, especially during peak travel times, so put “schedule parking” first on your list of tasks when planning a vacation. You will thank yourself – and us – later!
Snag a Seat at the Front of the Plane
When booking a trip, you’ve likely fallen into the trap of browsing around online trying to see which seat would be best for you and your fellow travelers. When motivated by price, it’s easy to get stuck in a less than ideal seat that you’ll regret purchasing later. To save your sanity and save time, simply pre-select a seat at the front of the airplane when booking your ticket.
There’s logic behind this. You can be the last ones off at boarding (and not have to sit in your seat for 20 minutes while everyone else boards), then once the plane lands, you can be the first one off. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as waiting your turn at the back of the plane to just get off that stuffy airplane while listening to screaming kids. Do yourself a favor and save time and the hassle. Pre-select your seat at the front of the plane. Not only will you disembark faster, you will be at the front of the line for passport checks on international flights and the first at the luggage carousel.
Check In Online or On Your Phone
You will be hard pressed to find a more transformative and convenient aspect of airport travel than the virtual check-in. It used to be that you would have to wait in person in a long, snaking line through the terminal just to hand over your luggage and show your ticket. Today, all you have to do is visit the airline’s website on your laptop or phone, add in your details, print a boarding pass, and you are on your way. No long lines and no frustrating people to deal with.
Something that formerly took one or two hours takes just minutes now, as there is a plethora of check-in kiosks at the airport if you forgot to do it from home. What used to take an hour now takes just minutes. If you want to save a tree, opt for a mobile boarding pass rather than a paper printout.
Book Off-Peak Flight Times
Looking for a more seamless experience and less-crowded airport with fewer people to contend with? Try booking a flight at off-peak times, such as:
- Red eye flights (early in morning and late at night)
- Tuesdays through Thursdays
- Not during spring breaks for college (end of March/April)
- Not during the holiday season (November through December)
Know Your Airport’s Layout
When you are familiar with the location and lay-out of the airport you will be using, you can better navigate it. Do some research before your trip to get to know the lay-out of the airport as well as the terminal you will be flying into and out of. Each airline’s website should be able to outline which gates and terminals you should use, where they are located, where to park most efficiently, and where the shops, restaurants and other facilities are. This is particularly helpful for large airports with several terminals and a multitude of departure areas for all the various flights.
Fun fact of the day: Detroit Metro ranks as the 20th busiest airport in the country as of 2024.
Check out this map of the DTW airport. You can click on various maps such as the McNamara Terminal and roadways around the airport.
Contact Valet Connections DTW Parking
Ready to get your trip going? Don’t forget to take the first step and book your parking. That’s the best way to ensure a high-value airport experience. Let Valet Connections DTW Parking help. Just call us at (734) 992-4946 and book valet parking service today.