Update - Obviously a lot has changed since my initial entry below. In 2002 Detroit opened a brand new, huge, 97 gate terminal at the airport, complete with over 80 shops and restaurants and a tram to speed up travel. The most important improvement in my mind is that this new terminal has LOTS OF ROOM which addresses my primary complaint below.
DTW has become my favorite airport at present. Easy to get through, plenty of places to sit, and courteous employees. What else could you ask for? Since DTW is a major hub of Northwest airlines I've actually lost count of the number of times that I've traveled through the airport.
Original entry:
I've been to Detroit, Michigan twice. They were both during changeovers on international flights to Asia. I found the airport to be quite adequate if not spectacular. As one would expect from a major international airport DTW was crowded. However I also found that it was convenient and easy to move around between the terminals and the gates. The airport staff was also quite friendly and eager to please. (Which I absolutely cannot say about Chicago!) In fact, my only real complaint about Detroit's airport is that the departure area for the Northwest Airlines Tokyo flight is woefully inadequate. I've been there more than two hours before the departure time and it was still far too crowded to sit down. The area simply cannot seat the entire passenger compliment of a Boeing 747-400 much less that of several flights.
All said: Given the choice of airports for an international layover I have no problems being routed through DTW.
Perhaps one day I'll see more of Michigan ....