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Detroit Airport Might Be Spacious And Pretty, But The WiFi Sucks

Where: Detroit Metro Wayne Country Airport [map], Detroit, MI, United States
October 14, 2009 at 2:08 PM | by | Comments (3)

Update: Ok fine, so as the DTW rep points out in the comments, Boingo is available in both terminals. But our own experience convinced us otherwise, and we recommend checking out the Airport WiFi map (click the icon to the right) to note that most airports tagged have free Wifi; something DTW should think about if they can afford the snazziness evident elsewhere.

We may have told you time and time again about the wonders of Detroit's Wayne Country Airport, but despite the very cool in-terminal monorail and relaxing LED light tunnel, Detroit is not as down with technology as you think.

In particular we refer to their Airport WiFi situation, which is sad to say the least. They've had internet in their Smith terminal since 2004, but with that terminal currently sitting empty Detroit has had to equip the rest of the airport. These days, you can log into the 'net from Delta/Northwest's McNamara Terminal only, and it's a Boingo frontier there.

Boingo in McNamara will charge you $7.95 for 24 hours of access, or you can hop into the Online Cafe in the same terminal and use one of their computers while having a cocktail, and they'll charge you for the amount of time you spend surfing. The only other spot with internet is the Lufthansa lounge, which also uses Boingo. We've tried mooching some free signal from the Northwest first class lounge before, and it just doesn't work. Sorry Detroit, but we do not approve.

Related Stories:
· Detroit-Metro Airport WiFi info [Official Site]
· Northwest Planes and Delta Red Dresses Spotted at Detroit-Metro [Jaunted]
· Detroit Travel Guide [Jaunted]

[Photo: Jaunted]

Comments (3)

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Return to » Detroit Airport Might Be Spacious And Pretty, But The WiFi Sucks


Time for a fact check!

We're not sure where you got your info, but Boingo Wireless is available in BOTH terminals (not just McNamara).

Yes, it does cost to connect as it does in most airports... DTW is not supported by any tax dollars, and since travelers don't pay anything just to use the airport, we have to pay to keep the place running somehow. :) Free Wi-Fi would no doubt be nice for all of us, but so would free parking and free concessions... and unfortunately we can't afford to give those away for free either.

Scott W.
Public Affairs | Wayne County Airport Authority

Scott Wintner on October 14, 2009 at 2:49 PM #Permalink

Time for a fact check!

We're not sure where you got your info, but Boingo Wireless is available in BOTH terminals (not just McNamara).

Yes, it does cost to connect as it does in most airports... DTW is not supported by any tax dollars, and since travelers don't pay anything just to use the airport, we have to pay to keep the place running somehow. :) Free Wi-Fi would no doubt be nice for all of us, but so would free parking and free concessions... and unfortunately we can't afford to give those away for free either.

Scott W.
Public Affairs | Wayne County Airport Authority

Scott Wintner on October 14, 2009 at 2:50 PM #Permalink

Missed the point

Im actually sitting in DTW in the middle of a 4 hour layover, laptop open, on my lap, browsing the web on my phone, and commenting here with it. I flew in from IND, another int'l airport, much smaller, but still managing free wi-fi for those long layovers. 8$ for 24 hr Internet access is pretty exploitative, since the signals going out anyway. I like your view though, bringing up free parking and concessions. Everyone who parks thier car at the Airport expects to pay a parking fee, everyone also remembers being asked to pay for Internet. Kinda leaves a sour taste in the mouth. Free concessions is a joke right? You guys don't have any say in that anyway. McDonalds and Starbucks pretty much own you guys in that department. They pay you, we pay them. Typing on my phone is annoying. Defend yourself if you wish, I'm connecting in Minneapolis next time.
Robert Mallison on February 23, 2012 at 5:52 PM #Permalink

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