What you're seeing over Detroit
Most airliners over Detroit belong to Delta, which runs one of its major hubs at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, about 18 miles southwest of downtown in Romulus. DTW's runways mostly run northeast-southwest, so the traffic over the city tends to be aircraft on approach routes and arrivals transitioning from the north and east, often over the river and the suburbs.
Detroit's geography gives its sky a bit of an international feel. The city sits on the Canadian border, with Windsor right across the river, so you'll see flights heading to and from Canadian airports, as well as transatlantic traffic crossing the Great Lakes region. Willow Run, west of DTW, is a cargo and charter airport with a long history, Coleman A. Young International on the city's east side handles business and private flights, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County adds military jets. The live map lets you see all of it, and our guide to how ADS-B works explains where the data comes from.
Airports near Detroit
- major hubDTWDetroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
KDTW · 18 miles southwest of downtown
A Delta hub with six runways and strong service to Asia and Europe. Live traffic at DTW ↗ - cargoYIPWillow Run Airport
KYIP · 26 miles west of downtown
A historic airport, once home to a WWII bomber plant, now used for cargo, charter and corporate flights, including Kalitta operations. Live traffic at YIP ↗ - general aviationDETColeman A. Young International Airport
KDET · 6 miles north of downtown
Detroit's city airport on the east side, used mostly by private and corporate aircraft. Live traffic at DET ↗ - relieverPTKOakland County International Airport
KPTK · 30 miles northwest of downtown
One of the busiest general aviation airports in the Midwest, in Waterford Township. Live traffic at PTK ↗ - militaryMTCSelfridge Air National Guard Base
KMTC · 22 miles northeast of downtown
A Michigan Air National Guard base in Harrison Township with tanker and fighter units. Live traffic at MTC ↗
Common traffic over Detroit
Delta flies a wide mix at DTW, from A321s and 737-900ERs to A350s and A330s for long-haul routes to Asia and Europe, plus a large fleet of regional jets operated by Endeavor and other partners. Spirit, Southwest, American and United also serve DTW.
DTW typically operates in either a south flow or a north flow, depending on the wind:
- South flow, with south and southwest winds: arrivals land toward the southwest, approaching from the northeast over Dearborn Heights, Inkster and Taylor, and departures climb out to the southwest over Huron Township.
- North flow, with north and northeast winds: arrivals come in from the southwest, and departures climb out to the northeast over Taylor, Dearborn and toward the river.
DTW also has east-west runways, used when crosswinds or traffic call for it.
Cargo comes through DTW and Willow Run, where Kalitta and other cargo carriers fly 747s and 767s. Ford, GM and Stellantis keep busy corporate flight departments, so expect business jets at Oakland County and Coleman Young.
Selfridge Air National Guard Base hosts the Michigan Air National Guard's 127th Wing, which has flown KC-135 tankers and fighters. Helicopters include Detroit Police aviation, news crews, and medevac services. The Canadian border is only a mile or two from downtown, so some aircraft you see are under Canadian air traffic control.
Aircraft you'll often see here
Airbus A321
narrowbody airliner
Boeing 737-900 / 737-900ER
narrowbody airliner
Airbus A320
narrowbody airliner
Bombardier CRJ900
regional jet
Embraer E175
regional jet
Airbus A350-900
long-haul widebody twin-jet
Airbus A330-300
widebody twin-jet
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
military aerial refueling tanker
Plane-spotting tips for Detroit
At DTW, public roads in Romulus near the ends of the runways, especially along Merriman Road and in the area around the airport's south side, are long-time favorites with spotters. Detroit's Belle Isle and the Riverwalk give wide views over the river toward Canada for watching higher traffic and occasional seaplanes. Willow Run is home to the Yankee Air Museum, which flies vintage aircraft on some summer days. From downtown, look southwest toward DTW. Lake-effect clouds can bring gray winter days, while summer offers long evenings and better visibility. If the weather keeps you indoors, the Henry Ford museum in Dearborn has historic aircraft, including an early Ford Trimotor.
Detroit sky questions
Why do some planes over Detroit fly into Canada?
Windsor, Ontario, is right across the Detroit River, and many flights to and from Canada and transatlantic routes cross the border near the city. Some aircraft you see are under Canadian air traffic control.
What are the cargo planes near Ypsilanti?
Willow Run Airport, between Ypsilanti and Belleville, is a cargo and charter airport where Kalitta and other operators fly freighters such as 747s and 767s.
Which way is DTW landing today?
DTW usually operates in south flow with south or southwest winds and in north flow with north or northeast winds. You can tell which by watching the arrival direction on the live map.
Nearby cities
Planes over Cleveland (90 mi) · Planes over Columbus (164 mi) · Planes over Pittsburgh (205 mi) · Planes over Buffalo (215 mi)