Airline Stopover Programs – The Complete Guide to Maximise Your Travels

Ever had a long layover and wished you could explore instead of sitting in an airport for hours? Airline stopover programs allow you to do this. They also usually give this for free as well as sometimes offering free or discounted hotels. Many airlines, and also tourism boards, offer stopover programs designed to make your journey more exciting and affordable. This includes higher end airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates and Etihad offering stopover programs. But also, many others such as Air France, TAP and Air India. So, whether you’re looking to break up a long-haul flight, tick another destination off your bucket list, or simply get more value from your travels, stopover programs are a game-changer.

In this guide, I’ll break down how airline stopover programs work, which airlines offer these programs, how you can book them and what requirements the individual airlines have.

Airline Stopover Programs

What is a stopover program?

Stop over programs are not that well known. I only found out about them recently. So, what exactly are they? Essentially, when you are on a journey with a stop over at their central hub, some airlines will allow you to stay in the city for a period of time. This can be 24 hours, or six months depending on the airline.

How much do they cost?

Nothing. Stop over programs are offered completely free, other than spending money and hotels obviously. But, you can change your continuing flight to a different one absolutely free. Some airlines even do offer a free hotel for a night, or discounted rates.

How do I book them?

Firstly, you need to find a flight that has a stopover at the airlines main hub. This can be done by finding a flight that already diverts through the hub, or by booking a multi-city trip. You will also need to hop onto the airlines website to check the criteria/ eligibility requirements for the stopover program. Most of them have a page dedicated to their stopover program where you can see the benefits of the program and book hotels, activities, transfers, and more. Once you know you are eligible, and you have booked your flights, you can register your layover on their layover page.

Which airlines offer them?

Unfortunately, not every airline offers these stopover programs. But, luckily it isn’t just the high end airlines like etihad, emirates and qatar who offer stopover programs. So I have searched high and low to find all airlines (as of March 2025) that offer layovers and everything you need to know about each one. You can click the airline name below to go to their layover page to find out the full details.

European Airlines with Stopover Programs

Air France

Layover City: Paris (Charles de Gaulle) (CDG)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: Discounts on hotels, tours, and experiences like Seine river cruises
Eligibility: Must be on an intercontinental route with Air France and book as a multi-city trip.

Austrian Airlines

Layover City: Vienna (VIE)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: Hotel discounts and city experiences
Eligibility: Must be on an international route with Austrian Airlines and book via their stopover program.

British Airways

Layover City: London (Heathrow) (LHR)
Length: Up to 7 days
Perks: Stopover at no extra airfare; hotel and activity packages available,
Eligibility: Available on long-haul flights with British Airways. Book as a multi-city trip or through their “Stopover in London” option.

Finnair

Layover City: Helsinki (HEL)
Length: 1–5 nights
Perks: No additional airfare for stopover; discounts on hotels and activities.
Eligibility: Available on Finnair-operated international flights. Choose the stopover option when booking.

Iberia

Layover City: Madrid (MAD)
Length: 1–6 nights
Perks: Discounts on hotels, transport, attractions, and experiences (like flamenco shows)
Eligibility: Must be flying internationally via Madrid with Iberia. Select the Hola Madrid Stopover option when booking.

Icelandair

Layover City: Reykjavik (KEF)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: No extra airfare for stopover; discounts on hotels, tours, and car rentals
Eligibility: Available on transatlantic routes between Europe and North America when booking directly through Icelandair. Also choose the “Iceland Stopover” option during booking.

KLM

Layover City: Amsterdam (AMS)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: Hotel and activity discounts via KLM’s stopover partners
Eligibility: Available on KLM-operated intercontinental flights when booking a multi-city ticket.

SWISS

Layover City: Zurich (ZRH)
Length: 1–4 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, transport passes, and tours in Switzerland
Eligibility: Available on long-haul SWISS flights when booking a multi-city ticket.

TAP Air Portugal

Layover City: Lisbon (LIS) & Porto (OPO)
Length: 1–10 nights
Perks: Discounts on hotels, free experiences (like wine tastings), and exclusive offers on restaurants and tours.
Eligibility: Available on round-trip or one-way long-haul flights with TAP Air Portugal. Must also book through the TAP Stopover website.

Turkish Airlines

Layover City: Istanbul (IST)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Free 1-night stay in a 4-star hotel (Economy) or 2 nights in a 5-star hotel (Business), plus discounts on city tours.
Eligibility: Must be flying internationally with a layover of 20+ hours in Istanbul. You also need to apply online for the free hotel voucher after booking.

North American Airlines with Stopover Programs

Air Canada

Layover City: Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel rates and activities via Air Canada partners.
Eligibility: Available for international flights with layovers 6+ hours when booking directly with Air Canada. Also select the “Stopover in Canada” option when booking.

Copa Airlines

Layover City: Panama City (PTY)
Length: 1–7 nights
Perks: No additional airfare for stopovers; discounts on hotels, tours, and airport transfers.
Eligibility: Available on international flights via Panama City when booking on Copa’s website. Choose the “Panama Stopover” option.

South American Airlines with Layover Programs

LATAM Airlines

Layover City: São Paulo (GRU), Santiago (SCL)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: No extra airfare for stopovers; discounted hotels and experiences
Eligibility: Must be flying internationally with LATAM and also book a multi-city ticket including São Paulo or Santiago.

Asian Airlines with Stopover Programs

Air India

Layover City: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays, cultural tours, and city sightseeing.
Eligibility: Available on international flights via Delhi or Mumbai when booking as a multi-city itinerary with Air India. Book the stopover through the official website.

China Eastern Airlines

Layover City: Shanghai (PVG)
Length: 1–4 nights
Perks: Discounts on hotels, tours, and transportation in Shanghai.
Eligibility: Book a multi-city flight via Shanghai and choose the Stopover Program when booking on China Eastern’s official website.

Emirates Stopover Program

Layover City: Dubai (DXB)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Free hotel stay (1 night for Economy, 2 nights for Business/First); discounts on tours, attractions, and transfers.
Eligibility: Emirate’s stopover program is available for international flights via Dubai. Select the Stopover in Dubai option when booking your flight on the website to access Emirate’s stopover program.

Etihad Airways Stopover Program

Layover City: Abu Dhabi (AUH)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Free hotel stay (1 night for Economy, 2 nights for Business/First); discounts on tours and activities.
Eligibility: Etihad’s stopover program is available for flights via Abu Dhabi when booking your multi-city or stopover flight. Select the Stopover in Abu Dhabi option when booking to access Etihad’s stopover program.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Layover City: Tokyo (NRT), Osaka (KIX)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Discounts on hotels, tours, and experiences like cultural activities.
Eligibility: Must book a long-haul flight via Japan Airlines and select the Japan Stopover Program when booking your ticket.

Korean Air

Layover City: Seoul (ICN)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, city tours, and cultural experiences.
Eligibility: Available on long-haul international flights with a layover in Seoul. Register for the Korean Air Stopover Program during booking.

Malaysia Airlines

Layover City: Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays and exclusive experiences in Kuala Lumpur.
Eligibility: Available on international flights via Kuala Lumpur. Select the Malaysia Stopover Program when booking.

Oman Air

Layover City: Muscat (MCT)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, excursions, and airport transfers.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Muscat when booking through Oman Air’s website. Choose the Stopover in Muscat option.

Philippine Airlines

Layover City: Manila (MNL)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels and tours in Manila.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Manila. Choose the Stopover Program during booking via Philippine Airlines’ website.

Qatar Airways Stopover Program

Layover City: Doha (DOH)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Free 1-night stay (Economy) or 2-night stay (Business/First); discounts on hotels, city tours, and experiences.
Eligibility: Qatar’s stopover program is available for international flights via Doha. Register for the Qatar Airways Stopover Program on their website.

Singapore Airlines

Layover City: Singapore (SIN)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Free hotel stay (Economy passengers: 1-night, Business/First: 2-night); discounts on local tours, transfers, and attractions.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Singapore. Book through the Singapore Airlines Stopover Holiday Program when selecting your flight.

Thai Airways

Layover City: Bangkok (BKK)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, tours, and cultural experiences in Bangkok.
Eligibility: Available on long-haul flights via Bangkok. Choose the Stopover Program during the booking process on Thai Airways’ website.

African Airlines with Stopover Programs

EgyptAir

Layover City: Cairo (CAI)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, tours, and cultural experiences in Cairo.
Eligibility: Available for long-haul international flights via Cairo. Choose the Stopover in Cairo Program when booking your flight on EgyptAir’s website.

Ethiopian Airlines

Layover City: Addis Ababa (ADD)
Length: 1–2 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, city tours, and cultural experiences.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Addis Ababa. Book a multi-city flight through Ethiopian Airlines and select the Stopover in Addis Ababa option.

South African Airways

Layover City: Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels and tours in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Eligibility: Available on flights via Johannesburg or Cape Town. Select the South African Airways Stopover Program during the booking process.

Oceania Airlines with Stopover Programs

Air New Zealand

Layover City: Auckland (AKL), Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays, sightseeing tours, and local experiences in Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via New Zealand. Book a multi-city trip with Air New Zealand and select the Stopover in New Zealand option.

Air Tahiti Nui

Layover City: Papeete (PPT)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays, tours, and airport transfers in Tahiti.
Eligibility: Available for flights via Tahiti. Book your flight with Air Tahiti Nui and choose the Stopover in Tahiti option during the booking process.

Fiji Airways

Layover City: Nadi (NAN), Suva (SUV)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays and local tours.
Eligibility: Available for long-haul flights via Fiji. Book a multi-city flight with Fiji Airways and select the Stopover in Fiji option during booking.

Qantas Airways

Layover City: Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotels, sightseeing tours, and cultural experiences in Sydney or Melbourne.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Sydney or Melbourne. Choose the Stopover in Australia option when booking a multi-city flight through Qantas’ website.

Virgin Australia

Layover City: Brisbane (BNE), Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL)
Length: 1–3 nights
Perks: Discounted hotel stays and tours in the stopover city.
Eligibility: Available for international flights via Australian hubs. Select the Stopover in Australia option when booking through Virgin Australia’s website.

Conclusion

Airline stopover programs offer a fantastic opportunity to add an extra adventure into a long journey. Whether you’re exploring a bustling city, or enjoying a relaxing beach retreat, these programs allow you to experience more during your travels. With so many airlines offering great stopover programs, from Qatar airways, Etihad and Emirates, to Air France, TAP and Iberia, there are options for everyone. On top of this, you can get great perks, from discounted hotels to exclusive tours — it’s worth considering adding a stopover to your next trip. The next time you book a multi-city flight, check if your airline offers a stopover program. It’s a smart and affordable way to enhance your journey, explore new destinations, and create unforgettable memories.

Let me know in the comment section if you’ve used any stopover programs and if you think it’s worth it. Check out my other posts here.