What You Need To Know About Airline Stopover Programs

Turkish Airlines

The Turkish Airlines stopover program is one of the most generous offers out there. Travelers with a layover of at least 20 hours in Istanbul can enjoy complimentary hotel stays.

What do they offer?

• Economy Class passengers: 1-night stay in a 4-star hotel

• Business Class passengers: 2-night stay in a 5-star hotel

To take advantage of this offer, you must contact Turkish Airlines at least 72 hours before departure.

Singapore Airlines

With the Singapore Airlines free stopover program, travelers can explore Singapore with the airline's Stopover Holiday package. This offer includes hotel accommodations and free entry to various attractions.

What do they offer?

• One-night hotel stay

• Free access to popular sights like Gardens by the Bay and Singapore Flyer

This is a fantastic opportunity to discover one of Asia’s most exciting cities without breaking the bank.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines offers a Japan Airlines free stopover in Tokyo or Osaka for international passengers. While accommodation is not included, the airline provides guidance on how to make the most of your time in Japan's bustling cities.

What do they offer?

• Free stopover in Tokyo or Osaka with no additional airfare cost

• Access to exclusive travel guides and local recommendations

Icelandair

The Icelandic full-service airline - Icelandair - makes it easier than ever to add a stopover in the land of Fire and Ice. You can add up to seven days of a stopover at no additional cost, making a trip to two locations for the same price of just one! When booking your flights, just select the ‘Stopover in Iceland’ option. You can then choose how many days you’d like to spend in Iceland. Icelandair's website offers great tips on what to do during your stopover and where to stay. You will have to cover the cost of your accommodation during your stopover.

What do they offer?

Up to seven days stopover in Iceland with no additional airfare cost.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways offers perks with its stopover program for ticket holders with an 8–24 hour transit in Doha, Qatar's capital city. Their "complimentary transit accommodation package" includes a free hotel room for your stay, return airport transfer and temporary entry visa to Doha, Qatar. There are some conditions, so click the button below to read up on them.

What do they offer?

A free hotel room, return airport transfer and temporary entry visa for Doha, Qatar.

Etihad

UAE airline Etihad offers "a layover on us" with opportunities to enjoy a free stopover in Abu Dhabi with a complimentary 3-star hotel stay for up to two nights. You can also opt for a premium stopover package, which includes up to 40% off 4-star and 5-star accommodation for a more luxurious experience. Abu Dhabi is a great city that's also within reach of popular Dubai.

What do they offer?

A free stay at a 3-star hotel for up to two nights OR 40% off 4-star and 5-star hotels for 2–4 nights.

Saudia

Saudia Airlines offers a free overnight stay in either Jeddah, Riyadh, or Madinah with a stopover of up to 96 hours. The package must be booked at least 48 hours before your flight, and you'll be able to get a stopover visa immediately during the booking process. You can learn more below.

What do they offer?

A free hotel from one of the eligible stopover hotels.

Iberia

With Spanish Iberia Airlines, passengers can take advantage of their "Hola Madrid" offer with a free stopover in Madrid of up to seven days, and incredible discounts on experiences and accommodation.

What do they offer?

Up to seven days stopover in Madrid with no additional airfare cost and discounts to make your time in Madrid cheaper and easier.

TAP Air Portugal

Portuguese airline TAP offers an amazing stopover program, where passengers can opt for a one to ten-day layover in two of Portugal's most iconic cities, Lisbon & Porto. You'll also have access to exclusive discounts on food, tours, public transport cards, and accommodation in either city.

What do they offer?

Up to ten days stopover in either Lisbon or Porto with no additional airfare cost and discounts to make your stay in Portugal cheaper.

Copa Airlines

Panama's Copa Airlines offers a special stopover program in Panama, with no additional charge for stays from 24 hours to seven days. The airline's website offers great tips on how to spend your layover depending on the number of days you want to stay. You will have to cover the cost of your accommodation during your stopover.

What do they offer?

Up to a seven-day stopover in Panama at no additional airfare cost.

Ethiopian Airlines

For Addis Ababa layovers from eight up to 24 hours, Ethiopian Airlines will arrange free transit connections and a free hotel stay at the Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel to help you rest and rejuvenate before your connecting flight. You'll have to get a transit/entry visa to Ethiopia to take advantage of this perk.

What do they offer?

Up to a 24-hour stopover in Addis Ababa at no additional airfare cost, with free return transfers to Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel and a free one-night stay.

Air Canada

Air Canada offers a free stopover program in Toronto. You'll be able to explore the bustling city for up to 48 hours at no additional cost when continuing on to other parts of Canada, the United States or South America. There are also tons of tips on Air Canada's website for how to spend your trip. You will have to cover the cost of your accommodation during your stopover.

What do they offer?

Up to a 48-hour stopover in Toronto at no additional airfare cost.

Play

Play offers a free stayover for up to 10 days in Iceland on the way to or from the USA. The stop comes at no additional cost when booking your transatlantic flight with Play. You can stay in the Land of Fire & Ice for up to 10 days on each leg of your journey (if you want to) to make the most of your trip.

Their stayover program doesn't cover accommodation in Iceland, so you'll have to take that into account.

What do they offer?

Up to a 10-day stopover in Iceland, either on the outbound journey, return journey, or both, at no additional airfare cost.

Add an extra destination to your trip

Free airline stopover programs are an excellent way to add an extra destination to your trip without increasing your airfare. Whether you're exploring Istanbul or making the most of stopover in Japan, these programs can turn a long layover into an unforgettable experience. Next time you're booking a long-haul flight, check if your airline offers a stopover program and make the most of your journey!