Looking to discover uncharted territories without breaking the bank? This is what stopover services for airlines are all about.
A stopover is a type of extended layover that gives passengers the opportunity to leave the airport and tour the city, which is normally the location where the airline's operations are being conducted. Travelers can tailor their airline stopovers to their schedules and demands, as they can range from 24 hours to 10 days, depending on the carrier.
To help you prolong your trip, we have compiled a list of the top 10 airline stopover programs.
TAP Air Portugal - Porto and Lisbon
Portugal Stopover is a fantastic program offered by TAP Air Portugal that lets customers see two cities during their flight. You have the option to include a complimentary 1-to 10-day layover in either Lisbon or Porto when you make your reservation.
One can incorporate this layover on the way out or the way back. Among the perks are access to unique sales and promotions as well as the opportunity to visit Portugal and its islands. Plus, TAP offers a 25% discount on flights within Portugal, which lets you see even more of the country, like the Azores and Madeira.
Qatar Airways - Doha
Break up your travel with a stay in Doha, the capital of Qatar, thanks to Qatar Airways' fantastic stopover program. Depending on the length of your connection in Doha, passengers flying with Qatar Airways may be eligible for perks such as complimentary hotel stays, airport transfers, meal vouchers, and free entrance visas to Qatar.
With the exception of some tariff classes, this program is open to all passengers. Hotel accommodations range from three stars for economy class travelers to four or five stars for first class travelers. Passengers on layovers of eleven hours or more are also given meal vouchers.
Etihad - Abu Dhabi
Guests of Etihad Airways may now take advantage of a new stopover program that gives them the opportunity to visit the exciting city of Abu Dhabi during their flight. To participate in this program, passengers must have a confirmed flight ticket that includes a layover in Abu Dhabi for at least 24 hours.
While in Abu Dhabi, passengers have the option to reserve a one- or two-night stay at five-star hotels. Free shuttle buses take visitors to Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, and the heart of Abu Dhabi, among other must-see attractions. Their boarding pass also serves as their Extraordinary Abu Dhabi Pass, which can be used to receive savings of up to 30% on activities and restaurants in Abu Dhabi.
Icelandair - Reykjavik
Icelandair offers transatlantic flights with the option to include a stopover in Iceland at no extra cost. Whatever length of time you choose to spend in Iceland, from a single day to as long as a week, you will have the chance to experience a wide range of activities, from geothermal bathing to watching the northern lights.
You get two places to go instead of one! Consequently, if you're making a connection via Keflavik International Airport (KEF), you might want to think about extending your stay in Reykjavik to make the most of your time on this stunning island.
Turkish Airlines - Istanbul
When it comes to layover programs, Turkish Airlines is among the finest. Guests flying business class with a layover of twenty hours or more have the option to spend up to two nights in a five-star hotel in Turkey. Travelers in economy can enjoy a one-night stay at a significantly cheaper hotel.
A complimentary hotel room will be provided if your layover is more than 20 hours. Guests with a layover of six to twenty-four hours can take advantage of a complimentary city tour of Istanbul that covers bus fare and lunch. No prior reservation is required. To register, simply go to the Touristanbul desk when you arrive at Istanbul Airport (IST).
Copa Airlines - Panama City
Passengers flying with Copa Airlines now have the opportunity to spend anywhere from one night to an entire week in Panama City as a stopover.
There is no additional fee to arrange a stopover in Panama, but you will still be responsible for paying for certain expenses, such as a hotel room if required. Thanks to the stopover website, you can choose the tour schedule that best suits your interests and take advantage of steep accommodation discounts.
Iberia - Madrid
Hola Madrid is a stopover service offered by Iberia that encourages passengers to take a break from their travel and explore the bustling city of Spain. Iberia and other IAG group airlines are offering free 9-night layovers in Madrid to all of their passengers.
You will be able to take advantage of discounted flights to other cities and will be given a free public transportation pass for a period of two days, which will make it much simpler for you to travel around Madrid. Madrid offers a little bit of everything for everyone, whether you're into culture, food, retail therapy, or just plain old leisure.
Emirates - Dubai
Emirates Dubai Connect is another great stopover program offered by Emirates. Dubai Connect is available to passengers whose connecting flights have a layover duration of 10–24 hours (or 8–26 hours for reservations made from October 11, 2022).
This goes for all cabin classes, including Economy, First Class, Business Class, and Premium Economy. You will be provided with a complimentary hotel stay, during which you will have the opportunity to unwind and rest. There are a number of hotels available, such as the Copthorne Hotel Dubai and the Le Méridien Airport Hotel Dubai. Your hotel reservation includes all applicable meals.
Singapore Airlines
Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), widely recognized as one of the world's best airports, provides customers with the opportunity to make a layover with Singapore Airlines. Extend your stopover to enjoy the sights, sounds, and flavors of Singapore whether you're flying to or from places in Asia, Australia, Europe, or the Americas.
Any round-trip Saver Award on Singapore Airlines includes one complimentary stopover, thus a ticket from Australia to New York via Singapore would be eligible. Passengers can add one free stopover to their one-way Advantage rewards. Passengers can extend their round-trip Advantage rewards with two free layovers. You can add up to three more stopovers per award ticket for $100 each. You can only add stopovers online if the route qualifies.
Swiss - Switzerland
Anyone flying SWISS Airlines can take advantage of the Stopover Switzerland program to see the beautiful nation before continuing on their trip. Travelers can extend their stay in Switzerland from one to four nights without paying extra for it.
This service is available to all foreign passengers flying with SWISS from a variety of locations, including the two city hubs of Zurich and Geneva. There are eight different customizable vacation packages available, courtesy of the Swiss tourism authority, and they all include hotel stays and rail passes. Stopovers can be scheduled separately or in addition to your travel.