10 Best Stopover Flights in the planet in 2025

dailyblitz.de 6 hours ago

Ever waited so long for a connecting flight that you started to feel like Tom Hanks in “The Terminal”? What if we told you those dreaded layovers could be the travel equivalent of finding a $20 bill in your winter coat pocket?

While most travellers race through airports like Olympic sprinters late for their events, savvy wanderers are discovering the magic of the “stopover” – that glorious loophole where airlines essentially say, “Hey, want a bonus mini-vacation on us?” It’s like getting a two-for-one special at the travel buffet, and who doesn’t love a good deal that doesn’t involve fighting over armrests or mysteriously sticky tray tables?

What Is a Stopover Flight?

Booking stopover flights is one of the most underrated travel hacks to maximize vacation time and budget. The best airline stopover programs essentially provide a free mini-visit to a city in an international airline’s home country—typically the capital city or the location of the carrier’s main airport hub.

Usually booked as an extended layover, stopover flights can range anywhere from 24 hours up to 10 days! Did we mention they’re free to add on to your itinerary?

You heard that right: there’s no extra fee when booking a stopover, a true rarity in the airline world these days.

Some carriers will even throw in a complimentary hotel stay and other perks like discounted sightseeing tours coordinated through the destination’s tourism board.

Here’s a look at 10 of the best airline stopover programs that will allow you to explore fascinating cities worldwide for hardly any additional cost to your airfare.

1. TAP Air Portugal

Offering free stopovers in two cities—Porto and Lisbon—TAP Air Portugal (TP) has one of the most flexible programs out there. Plus, it allows travellers to stay in either city for up to 10 days. The stopover booking process is super simple, as TAP has integrated it into its standard booking field. All you need to do is choose your travel dates, departure city, and destination as usual, then click the “Add Stopover” button.

When your flights are squared away, you can book a discounted hotel stay by browsing TAP’s list of hotel partners. The list offers booking codes with average savings of 10-20% off your stay. You’ll also have access to discounts for restaurants, museums, and walking tours. Once you wrap up your stopover, you also get a 25% discount on airfare to a second destination in Portugal, like the Azores archipelago.

2. Turkish Airlines

Travellers on Turkish Airlines (TK) on any itinerary from the US with at least a 20-hour connection in Istanbul qualify for the carrier’s Stopover in Istanbul offering. The program is one of the most generous when it comes to accommodations, giving all fliers a free hotel stay. Passengers flying from the US in economy class can stay two nights in a four-star hotel free of charge, and business class passengers get 3 free nights in a five-star hotel.

Turkish Airlines (TK) has recently simplified its stopover booking process, making it easier than ever to take advantage of the program. There is now a “Stopover in Istanbul” button right on the airline’s booking page.

3. Iberia

With its Stopover Hola Madrid program, Iberia (IB) allows travellers to stay in the Spanish capital for as little as 24 hours, all the way up to 7 days and 6 nights at no extra cost in airfare. Passengers can add a stopover to either their outbound or return flight and select the length of their stay on the airline’s booking page.

Stopover customers are also afforded a host of discounts, including 20% off tickets to the Prado museum, a free public transportation card valid for two days that can be picked up at the airport, and reduced hotel stays through the airline’s partners.

4. IcelandAir

If you’re interested in adding a few days in Reykjavik to your next vacation, book with IcelandAir (FI), which offers free Reykjavik stopovers from one to seven days for its transatlantic passengers. When booking your flights, simply click the “Stopover in Iceland” button and choose how many days you’d like to stay. While there’s no additional airfare involved, IcelandAir’s program does not include a free or discounted hotel stay, so passengers will need to factor that in as an extra cost.

However, the airline’s stopover page does offer suggestions for a wide range of affordable sightseeing tours, like an abbreviated tour of the Golden Circle (from $81), a Reykjavik walking tour (from $40), and a Blue Lagoon experience (from $172).

5. Play Airlines

A second option for enjoying the natural wonders of Iceland on a budget is with Play Airlines’ (OG ) free stopover deal. The low-cost carrier offers free stopovers at its home base of Reykjavik for up to 10 days. Aside from that long window to stay in Iceland, the budget airline doesn’t offer too many extra perks—you’ll have to secure your accommodations and tours.

But given that Play’s airfares are so cheap, starting at $129 for a one-way flight from the US to Europe, you’ll have plenty of extra budget to put toward an affordable place to stay, like hybrid property Hlemmur Square, which offers both hostel-style rooms and traditional private hotel rooms.

6. Qatar Airways

One of the best airline stopover programs is Qatar Airways’ (QR), which offers a valuable hotel bundle. The carrier offers stays of up to four days in Doha, with bundle rates for 4-star hotels starting at just USD 14 per person per night. If you want to upgrade to a luxury five-star hotel, the fee starts at USD 23 per person per night, which is still a deep discount. And of course, the stopover will cost you nothing in terms of extra airfare fees.

To score the bundle, book your stopover through Qatar Airways’ dedicated page, which allows you to select the leg of the journey you’d like to stop in Doha and for how many days. Once your flights are booked, visit the airline’s stopover hotel booking page to browse options for your stay. Choose your hotel and input your flight information during the booking process to receive the discount. Also available during your time in Doha are discounted tour packages that range from activities like kitesurfing lessons, a private Bedouin dinner in the desert, souq tours, and many more.

7. Etihad

With its “Stopover on Us” package, Etihad (EY) is offering free stopovers in Abu Dhabi. The one- or two-night packages include a free stay at a three-star hotel in the city, plus perks like 24-hour check-in and free in-room Wi-Fi. Among the hotel partners are the Centro Al Manhal, the Millennium Al Rawdah Hotel, and the Traders Hotel Al Maqta.

To add the stopover, you need to first book a flight connecting through Abu Dhabi in any cabin class. Then, select your stopover package and check hotel availability on the airline’s stopover page. It’s important to note that a flight reservation is required to check the program’s hotel availability (which is not guaranteed), and bookings must be made at least 72 hours before travel.

8. Copa Airlines

Travellers can take up to 7 days to explore Panama City with Copa Airlines’ (CM) stopover program. Copa passengers can add a stopover in the capital city on either the outgoing or return leg of their journey. Travellers can stay in Panama for as little as 24 hours up to one week without needing to pay extra airfare. (Copa also offers the option to add a second stopover to your flight itinerary for USD 250.)

To book the stopover, simply go to the booking page on Copa’s website and toggle to the “Multi-city/Stopover” tab. Although the stopover program does not include a free or discounted hotel stay, many exciting new hotels in Panama City would be well worth the splurge, like the boutique eight-room Amarla, located in the city’s Casco Viejo historic district, or the waterfront Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo.

9. Emirates

With its Dubai Connect program, Emirates (EK) offers travellers with extended layovers in Dubai an array of complimentary perks, including a one-night hotel stay, visa, meals, and transfers to and from the airport. Passengers in economy through first class are eligible for these perks. To qualify for the program, your layover must be between 8 to 26 hours for economy and premium economy tickets or 6 and 26 hours for business and first class tickets.

When passengers arrive in Dubai, they can head to the Dubai Connect desk in the arrivals terminal for their free car transfer to their hotel. The airline usually puts Dubai Connect passengers in the Copthorne Hotel Dubai, the Le Méridien Airport Hotel Dubai, or the JW Marriott Marquis, but it’s possible travellers will be booked at a different property at the carrier’s discretion. While at the hotel, all applicable meals will be included as part of the service.

10. Japan Airlines

Billing itself as one of the most “stopover-friendly” airlines in the industry, Japan Airlines (JL) offers extended layovers in cities like Osaka and Kyoto. Essentially, JAL’s program allows fliers to book multi-city itineraries with stays in stopover destinations of at least 24 hours. Although the airline doesn’t offer free perks once you arrive in your stopover city, it’s still worth taking advantage of the feature to see more stunning destinations throughout Japan.

Simply use JAL’s “multi-city/stopover” search tool to find options for your free pit stops in some of the nation’s most popular destinations.

Bottom Line

So there you have it—the ultimate travel hack that transforms tedious transit time into bonus adventures. Next time you’re booking an international flight, remember that what was once the dreaded “layover” can now be your passport to an unexpected detour of delight.

With these 10 airline programs, you can essentially photobomb another country’s tourism brochure without paying for the privilege. It’s like getting a free appetiser before your main course vacation, and who wouldn’t want a complimentary taste of Istanbul’s bazaars, Lisbon’s pastéis de nata, or Dubai’s towering skyline?

So go ahead—book that stopover, pack that extra outfit, and remember: sometimes the best part of the journey isn’t the destination, but the place you got “stuck” along the way. Safe travels, and happy stopover scheming!

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