Frank W.
Yelp
I grew up using this airport. Our family lived in Detroit suburbs. My father worked at one of the "Big Four" US automakers. I assumed all airports displayed cars everywhere. Some have a few. DTW used to have a dozen new models, each of the manufacturers being represented. They don't call it the Motor City for nothing. That was back in the day before the McNamara Terminal. Northwest Airlines was dominant. They were a good carrier, eventually acquired by Delta (which is, if you are in their premium cabins, an excellent carrier; otherwise, however, they are pricier than the ones I prefer, young upstarts).
I am as familiar as one could be of this place. It has been twenty years since I took a job in my hometown, my wife remaining behind, so I commuted in an unbelievable manner. While we also had a house, purchased and renovated, a national landmark, right downtown, within sight of the Ren Cen, I spent most weekends elsewhere, a 59 minute flight. One of those years I was there, of the four total, I flew more than 150 times. Almost all of the trips either started from or ended up at DTW. McNamara was new. It was sleek. The monorail has held up. It is still efficient and futuristic.
Now, I hardly ever come through. I'd say twice a year (roundtrip, so four times). We have a routine with my wife's family. We rent a house on the other side of the state for a week in the summer. We fly into DTW, not ORD. It's a much easier drive, and we spend a few days in Ann Arbor.
DTW has held up. I still fly lots. Last year, the Flighty App tells me, it was 105 bookings. Those are much longer than when I was using DTW, so the mileage accrued is greater. That gives me many points of comparison, in particular JFK and SFO, but extending to all the major US metro areas. Domestically, my favorite airport now is SFO, with its quiet policy; internationally, I've always liked Osaka. In any event, DTW is well thought of. I have seen rankings, which I don't put much stock in (bad methodology, unfortunate incentives; I'm being pragmatic, not ideological), and they show DTW toward the top or even at the top, for the specific categories. The parking is ample. Drive time to anywhere you likely are headed to is not bad.
If I had to change planes, which I rarely am compelled to do, I would not mind DTW. The Delta lounges are nice. There is plenty at the venue. They have done well, a boost for a city that has had hard times for as long as there have been hard times to be had.