Long layovers used to be one of the worst parts of travel. Sitting in an airport for hours, eating expensive airport fare, and dragging heavy bags behind you was no one’s idea of fun.
That all changed however in the early 2000s when Icelandair began aggressively promoting a little known program that allowed travelers to extend their long layovers into free overnight stops.
Since then, the concept has expanded as more airlines now offer the service, and savvy travelers are intentionally planning long layovers in cities around the globe.
Below are five airlines stopover programs that allow you to extend your vacation and explore the world without an extra ticket.
In this article
1. Icelandair
Though Icelandair’s original stopover program has existed in some form since the 1960s, the program really became popular in the early 2000s, following renewed interest in the country’s beautifully surreal landscapes.
The program allows travelers to spend up to seven days exploring the country between flights in and out of Keflavík airport in Reykjavík at no additional costs.
To book, travelers only need to select the “Stopover in Iceland” option when searching for flights on the airline’s website and indicate how many additional days they will spend in the country. Up to 21 days are permitted, though you may pay extra.
2. TAP Air Portugal
For those looking for a warmer European escape, TAP Air Portugal offers travelers the option of extending their vacation with a stop in either Lisbon or Porto while coming or going from elsewhere.
The program, which is good for up to 10 days, also includes an extended list of discounts, including a 25% discount on flights within the country, as well as a host of special offers with over 150 partners country-wide making farther-flung destinations like the Azores an easy possibility.
Participating in the program is simple, just click the “add a free stopover” option when searching for flights on the airline’s website and browse through the partners list on the official stopover program for further information about extra discounts.
3. Turkish Airlines
Offering one of the more generous stopover programs, Turkish Airlines’ program includes not only the ability to stay up to an extra seven days, it will also cover a few nights of your hotel once you get there.
Passengers flying from any of the countries included in service—over 100 are listed—in or out of Istanbul are eligible for up to three nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel, depending on their country of origin and whether or not they fly economy or business class.
The only downside of this program is that participating takes a bit more paperwork. Travelers must first book their flight, including a stopover of 20 or more hours up to seven days, and then apply separately for the program and free hotel nights via email or by searching for your flight information on the airline’s dedicated program website.
4. Copa Airlines
Copa Airlines allows travelers the opportunity to stay in Panama for up to 15 days on a stopover, making it the program with one of the longest allowable stays at no extra charge. The generous number of days allowed gives travelers enough time to explore well beyond the airline hub of Panama City. Simply select the stopover option during the initial flight search.
This program, which primarily applies to flights between North and South America, doesn’t include hotel stays, however, there are a number of special offers available for participants, which include discounts on hotels, restaurants, tours and even multi-day vacation packages designed around your stop.
5. Qantas Air
Australia’s Qantas Air stopover program is unique in that it not only allows travelers to spend extra time in its country of origin with multi-city flights, it also allows a stopover in Asia in its hub city of Singapore.
Consistently voted the best airport in the world by numerous travel award grantees, Singapore’s Changi Airport, with its butterfly garden and impressive 40-meter-tall indoor waterfall, is a destination in and of itself.
In addition, the airline’s ‘Pop in to Perth’ program allows guests to also book multi-stop trips through the Western Australian capital at no extra charge. To facilitate exploration beyond the city, there are several tour companies offering curated four-day stopover tours of the area to help visitors experience as much of the country’s vast outback as possible in a short span of time.
6. Air China
While the majority of airline stopover programs are centered in one major city, usually the airline’s hub, Air China’s program differentiates itself by applying to several of the country’s airports.
Passengers with connecting flights in Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Tianjin, or Wenzhou are all eligible for a free one night stopover that includes hotel accommodations. The deal also includes breakfast and transportation to and from the airport.
Though the allowable stay may not be as long as some other programs, the diversity of locations make it worth it for those looking to get a quick taste of China.
The Shortcut
Icelandair was one of the first airlines to offer a stopover program.
Today, almost 30 different airline carriers offer programs that allow travelers to extend their layovers at no extra charge.
Many stopover programs include special deals, from free hotel nights to restaurant and tour discounts.
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