Ann Arbor is served by just a single airport, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW).

The trip between Metro Airport and downtown Ann Arbor is fairly long. You’ll need to travel 32 kilometers before you can check in to your city hotel.

Situated 32 kilometers from the downtown area, DTW is your entry point to Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is serviced by 14 airlines from 103 airports around the world.

Ann Arbor receives the majority of its flights from United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines with United Airlines being the favorite choice of airline. Chicago is the most popular city for travelers to set off from.

With approximately 2,469 nonstop flights each week, you’ll be landing in Ann Arbor before you can ask, “Are we there yet?”

Travelers often set off from Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando airports when flying to Ann Arbor.

Which airport you depart from determines how much of the in-flight entertainment you’ll get to see. From Chicago to Ann Arbor, the average flight time is 1 hour and 16 minutes. From Washington it’s more like 1 hour and 42 minutes, and from Atlanta it’s 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Don’t leave booking your flight to Ann Arbor until the very last minute. That’s one trick well-versed jet-setters use to get the best deals. Booking in advance means more choices and cheaper flights. Another terrific way to get the best deal is to research all options. If where you’re headed has several airports, research the cost of flying into a smaller terminal. Finally, be prepared to lock in your seat quickly if you find an irresistible price. It might not be available for long! With a bit of knowledge and some luck, the perfect airfare can be yours.

Wherever you’re coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you’re prepared. We’ve made a list of essential travel tips that will help get your Ann Arbor vacation started on the right note.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free travel experience is to pack ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring items that’ll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. You’ll also want to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won’t be allowed on. Sharp or pointed objects, like a Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, flares and strong acids, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be your prime concern when selecting what to wear on board. Consider your footwear carefully too, as swollen feet can be a side effect of flying. Slightly roomy, flat shoes are always a sensible way to go.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long flights is developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity. To prevent this, make the most of every opportunity to stretch your legs and walk around the cabin. Compression tights and socks are another easy way to help lower your risk.

Being organized before your flight will make your trip to Ann Arbor easy and painless. Below are some useful tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and travel documents before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• The X-ray machine is up next. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They’ll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you’ll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic gadgets must also go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.