Explore the Best Airlines with Free Stopover Programs as of 2024
Even on connecting flights, air travel offers the chance to discover new destinations. Free stopover programs by airlines can turn a layover into a mini vacation for savvy travelers. These programs let passengers break up long-distance journeys by staying in the hub city of their airline, usually at no extra cost.
Why not turn your layover into a small vacation? Often flights that connect international passengers are made to pass through another country or city before reaching their destination. Some of the international airlines provide ‘stopover’ services that enable passengers to so do. Picture being able to take an unwanted layover and turn it into a fun-filled trip that lasts for 24-48 hours. You could visit great tourist attractions, have a bite in great local restaurants, or even enjoy the positivity of great cities. Stopover programs are useful for tourists to get acquainted with new places and to save money. They’re also useful for both vacation and business travelers.
How Do Stopover Programs Work
A stopover is a very long duration of stay on a flight which gives the passengers an opportunity to visit the city they are in most of the time being the operating base of the airline company. Transit time on airlines ranges from 10 to 24 days depending on the airline and in this case, the stopovers can be arranged according to the travelers’ time of preference. Some airlines provide stopover programs whereby you can pay nothing or very little to spend more time in the transit city. These programs are meant to support tourism in the airline hub city as it comes as a break from a long flight and looking at a new place.
A majority of airlines have loyalty programs for travelers who have a connecting flight on an international trip with a destination in the airline’s home city. When buying tickets some airlines provide an option on their website to make stopovers while others may send you to customer support or a booking platform. The layover period can however differ with the airline, for instance ranging between 24 and 72 hours.
Some airlines offer stopover packages that include complimentary or discounted benefits. Some of these include:
- Get a free or discounted hotel stay
- Transfers to and from the airport
- Attraction passes or guided city tours
- Discounts and vouchers for local restaurants
Some programs bundle stopovers with premium-class tickets to offer greater comfort and amenities.
Visa Requirements
Even if you are only leaving the airport for an hour or two, some countries require a short-term transit visa. Most airlines will provide assistance or guidance with this process. However, it is important that you check the requirements before you travel.
Top 10 Airlines with Free Stopover Programs
The airline stopover programs vary in amenities, destination, and ease of booking. All are designed to make layovers a fun adventure. Let's look at some of the top airlines that offer such programs.
#1. Icelandair (Reykjavik)
Icelandair offers transatlantic travelers free stopovers in Reykjavik for one to seven consecutive days. You have to be flying over the Atlantic for the stopover to be free. Click the "Stopover Iceland" button when booking your flight and select how many days to spend in Iceland. IcelandAir does not offer a discounted or free hotel, but it will charge you for the extra. The airline's stopover offers a variety of inexpensive sightseeing tours. These include an abbreviated Golden Circle tour starting at $81, a Reykjavik Walking Tour (starting at $40), and the Blue Lagoon Experience (starting from $172).
#2. Qatar Airways (Doha)
Qatar Airways offers one of the most valuable stopover packages. Bundled rates of four-star hotels start at $14 per person, per night. Upgrade to five-star luxury hotels for just $23 per person, per night. This is still an incredible discount. The stopover won't cost you any extra in airfare.
Book your Qatar Airways stopover on the dedicated page to get the deal. You can select how long you want to stay in Doha and the route you would like to take. After booking your flight, you can browse the stopover hotels on the airline website. Select your hotel during booking and enter your flight details to get the discount.
You can also find discounted tours in Doha, including activities such as kitesurfing, private Bedouin meals in the desert, and souq tours.
#3. Emirates (Dubai)
Emirates' Dubai Connect offers travelers who have extended layovers a range of free perks. These include a hotel night, prepaid visa, meals, and airport transfers. These perks are available to passengers in all classes, from economy up to first. For economy, premium economy, or first class tickets to qualify, the layover time must range from eight hours up to 26 for tickets in these categories. You must use the shortest connection possible, which means you will have to leave Dubai and take the next flight available to reach your destination. Otherwise, your itinerary is not eligible.
The Dubai Connect desk is located in the Arrivals terminal. Passengers can get a free transfer from the airport to their hotel. Dubai Connect is usually booked in one of three hotels: the JW Marquis or Le Meridien Airport Hotel Dubai. However, it may be that the airline chooses a different hotel at its discretion. All meals are included in the price of your stay at the hotel. Book Dubai Connect Online 24 hours in advance of your layover.
Travelers can choose to book multiple-city itineraries on an airline's website for a more extended stopover. You can add Dubai International Airport to your search by using the advanced feature. After booking your flight, add Dubai experiences and hotels through Emirates’ Dubai stopover Page. This page offers extra benefits and discounts, such as 24-hour hotel check-in.
#4. Turkish Airlines (Istanbul)
Turkish Airlines offers a Stopover in Istanbul to travelers on any route from the US that has at least a twenty-hour stopover in Istanbul. This program offers free accommodation to all passengers flying out of the US. Economy class travelers can enjoy two free nights at a 4-star hotel, while business class travellers get three nights free in a 5-star hotel. You can also book extra nights in hotels that offer discounted rates starting at $49 per night.
Turkish Airlines recently simplified the booking process for stopovers, which makes it more convenient than ever. The "Stopover In Istanbul" button is located on the booking page of Turkish Airlines.
#5. Finnair (Helsinki)
Take in the northern lights and some art nouveau architecture with a stopover of up to five days when traveling through Helsinki Airport (HEL) on Finnair. Finnair offers a variety of 'layovers,' including 6, 12, and 24 hour options. The airline does not charge extra for the layovers but will charge you an additional fee to cover accommodation. The airline partners with Visit Finland to provide stopover travel inspiration, accommodations, tour packages, and more. Finnair offers a range of accommodation options in Helsinki that are suitable for all tastes and budgets. Booking directly with Finnair will also earn you extra Finnair points.
#6. Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
Singapore Airlines has its headquarters in Singapore. It is known for providing a luxurious travel experience. Singapore Airlines operates an extensive network of flights that connects Singapore to major cities in Asia, Europe, and North America. The airline's stopover program offers free layovers for up to seven days.
Singapore Airlines provides travelers with discounted hotel accommodations at top-tier hotels. In addition, packages provide complimentary airport transfers and access to over 15 attractions within Singapore. The Singapore Free Tour offers travelers who have shorter layovers (5,5 to 24 hours). This guided tour begins from Changi Airport and highlights many of its highlights such as Marina Bay Sands and Gardens by the Bay. Travelers can customize their experiences to best meet their schedule by selecting stopovers that span from one night up to several days.
#7. TAP Air Portugal (Lisbon/Porto)
TAP Air Portugal offers one of the most flexible travel programs in the industry. The program also allows for a stay of up to 10 consecutive days in any city. TAP integrated the stopover into their standard booking form, making it super easy to book. You will need to select your dates of travel, and the city from which you depart, and then choose your destination. Then click on "Add stopover". You will be able to enter the stopover details in a new window. For example, you may choose whether or not you want to stay in Porto and Lisbon for how much time.
After booking your flight, browse TAP's hotel partner list to find a discount on your hotel. Booking codes are available for an average of 10%-20% discount on your hotel stay. Also, you'll have discounts on museums, restaurants, and walking tours. To see all the offers, visit the stopover page of the airline. Once you've completed your stopover you can also receive a 25% off airfare for a second Portuguese destination, such as the Azores Archipelago.
#8. Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
Etihad offers free stops in Abu Dhabi with its "Stopover On Us" package. One-night or two-night packages come with a complimentary stay in a 3-star hotel, as well as perks such as 24-hour check in and free Wi-Fi in rooms. Hotel partners include the Centro Al Manhal Hotel, Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel, and Traders Hotel Al Maqta.
You must first book an Abu Dhabi flight in any class cabin to add the stopover. Select your package, and then check the hotel availability at the stopover page of your airline. Bookings for the hotel program (which are not guaranteed) must be done at least 72 hours before departure.
#9. Copa Airlines (Panama)
Stopovers on Copa Airlines allow travelers to spend up to seven full days in Panama City. Copa passengers have the option to add a stopover at the capital, one of the top places to visit in South America by 2024. This can be added on either the return or outgoing leg of their trip. Travelers are able to stay in Panama from 24 hours to a week without paying extra airfare. Copa offers an option to add a stopover to the flight itinerary for $250 US.
To book the stopover, simply go to the booking page on Copa's website and toggle to the "Multi-city/Stopover" tab. The stopover program doesn't include free or discounted accommodation, but there are plenty of exciting new hotels to choose from in Panama City, such as the eight-room boutique Amarla located in the historic Casco Viejo district or the waterfront Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.
#10. Air France (Paris)
Flying Blue, the loyalty program of Air France and KLM have teamed up to give passengers the chance to fly for at least 24 hours for free. Free stopover incentives will enable passengers to remain at the stopover destination for as long as twelve months without paying any additional airfare costs.
The flexibility of the package is attractive, particularly in Paris and Amsterdam. It is difficult to navigate the airline websites. Call centers are able to make any necessary arrangements.
