Now Boarding, Windsor to Detroit

As borders from Windsor to Detroit remain closed for non-essential travel, some people are finding other methods of traveling to Detroit.  

The Canada-U.S Border has been closed to land crossings (except essential workers) since March of 2020. The only method of travel from Detroit to Windsor would be to drive to Toronto and take a flight to Detroit or do what Hannah Hicks, 21, did.  

Hicks and her mother wanted to travel to Detroit for one night to see a Harry Styles concert. She booked a helicopter ride from Windsor to Detroit to be able to see the concert.  

Hicks said the process of traveling by air to Detroit was very simple.  

“Since I was going to the states for a day trip, I only had to take one COVID test in order to cross the border. I took the test 48 hours before my departure, and the helicopter ride was only 10 minutes,” said Hicks. 

“I had to be at the Windsor airport 15 minutes in advance, and there was barely any hassle with security or customs when we landed.” 

Hicks said she was desperate to get to Detroit and the flight with McMahon Helicopter Services seemed to be the only method available to her.  

“I don’t see myself traveling to the states again until the border is open, which I don’t expect to happen for a while,” said Hicks. “I doubt I’ll use this method again, since I only used it because I couldn’t drive across the border.” 

Although this method of travel was simple and easy, it cost her $1500 for a one way 10-minute helicopter ride. She was able to return to Windsor by taxi. 

Hicks recommends this method of travel if you can afford it and wanted to go to Detroit.  

The McMahon flights is not the only method of air travel to cross the border.  

The Leamington Municipal Airport, which is a privately owned airport, was promoting flights to Detroit, Buffalo, New York, Toronto and other places on their website and social media accounts in August, September and early October. When contacted for fact checking this story on October 15, a man who would only identify himself as Justin at the Leamington Municipal Airport, refused to comment or answer any questions regarding these flights.

On October 12, the U.S. government did announce that land crossings into the U.S. would resume in November.