What is a Stopover?
A stopover is when a flight lands at an interim destination for between twenty-four hours to as many as ten days before continuing to the final destination. Some airlines offer free stopovers, allowing passengers to explore the city where they are temporarily staying without any additional airfare charges. The flight number on the second part of the journey may stay the same, even though the second flight may be several days later. Stopovers are most common on longer flights and allow passengers to break up their journey with the bonus of longer stopovers for exploring the city where they are temporarily staying.
Shorter journey delays are known as layovers, and passengers may be confined to an airport. However, this may allow them to use airport lounge facilities, rest in a daybed or take a refreshing shower when provided.
Longer stopovers enable passengers to spend a day or more exploring the attractions and culture of their temporary home from a fabulous hotel base, sometimes offered by the airline for free or with significant discounts. Other perks to a stopover program include discounted prices for sightseeing tours, attractions or restaurants. Stopovers can genuinely enhance the experience of a long journey. Many airlines embrace collaborating with local tourism to offer tailor-made packages to showcase the region and create lifelong memories. Great examples of cities that you can discover in a day include Doha (Qatar Airlines), Lisbon (TAP Air Portugal) and Osaka (Japan Airlines).
Some airlines make the process easy and transparent, while others make finding the stopover information more of a challenge.
The BusinessClass.com guide to the airlines with free stopover packages and others offering great discounts and perks:
TAP Air Portugal
The Portuguese flag carrier offers a free stopover in capital city - Lisbon or Porto for between one and ten days on outbound and return trips. TAP Air Portugal has attractive incentives of 25 per cent off any domestic flight during the stopover period, along with a long list of discounted hotels within five regions, including Lisbon, Porto and the Azores.
Discounts on city cards give free entry to museums and places of cultural interest, while other offers include savings at restaurants, tourist attractions and transportation.
Read more about Portugal Stopover
Read the BusinessClass.com review of TAP Air Portugal Business Class
Read the Businessclass.com Travel Guide to Lisbon
Etihad Airways
Abu Dhabi - the capital of the United Arab Emirates - is the ideal stopover destination between the East and West. With various stopover packages, including exclusive discounts of up to 40 per cent off the most exclusive hotels in Abu Dhabi and complimentary stays of up to two nights at select three- and four-star hotels. Abu Dhabi has a rich heritage of Arabian culture, art and iconic landmarks.
With exquisite dining and a vibrant nightlife to suit all tastes, fun-seekers will also find plenty to do at theme parks and sporting venues. An Etihad boarding pass acts as an Abu Dhabi pass to exclusive deals and discounts across a wide range of activities, experiences and dining venues.
Read more about Stopover in Abu Dhabi
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Etihad Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Etihad First Class
Read the BusinessClass.com Abu Dhabi Travel Guide
Search, Book & Save on your next premium flight - with a stopover - with BusinessClass.com today:
Qatar Airways
Discover Qatar with a free stopover from one to four nights. Passengers must pay extra for accommodation, but generously discounted hotel bundles vary and include heavy discounts on 4-star and luxury 5-star hotels from one to four nights. Also, book discounted tours and excursions, including a bespoke 48 Hours in Doha 2-day package, discovering the Qatari culture with visits to traditional souqs, museums and galleries.
Relax at one of the many beach clubs while enjoying the heat of the sunshine or visit impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites. Other tour attractions range from whale shark spotting to kitesurfing and private dessert tours.
Read more about Qatar Stopover
Read the BuinessClass.com review of Qatar Airways Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Qatar Airways First Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Doha
Icelandair
Spend up to seven days exploring Iceland with a transatlantic stopover at Reykjavik without additional airfare. Hotels are not complimentary or discounted, so passengers should factor these costs into any stopover. With ready-made stopover itineraries from one to five days, including dips in the world-famous Blue Lagoon or exploring the Golden Circle, Icelandair helps passengers make the most of limited time on this rugged and beautiful island.
Booking a stopover with Icelandair is as easy as clicking 'Stopover in Iceland' when booking the air ticket and selecting how many stopover days to stay.
Find out more about a Stopover in Iceland
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Icelandair Business Class
Iberia Airlines
Stay in Spain's capital Madrid for one to six nights with a Stopover Hola Madrid package from Iberia Airlines at no additional cost to the airfare. Select when to stay on the outbound or return journey and unlock significant discounts through partner hotels.
Enjoy further discounts of up to 20 per cent on guided tour excursions, museums, gastronomy, leisure and cultural experiences. Hola Madrid also offers a free two-day travel card with Madrid public transport and exclusive luxury shopping benefits at El Corte Inglés.
Read more about Stopover Hola Madrid
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Iberia Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Iberia Premium Economy
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Madrid
Emirates
Experience the luxuries of Dubai and the UAE with a free stopover with Emirates of up to 48 hours. Dubai is at the centre of a global network and the perfect location to experience the benefits of a stopover. Customise a unique Dubai stopover with numerous discounted activities, including culture and heritage, bespoke featured experiences, sports and adventure activities and entertainment.
Dubai is home to the world's largest building and the world's largest shopping mall. Further benefits of booking a stopover come from 24-hour hotel check-in and 10 per cent discounts on new flight bookings. Enter multi-city details when booking and contact Emirates to help design a tailor-made stopover package, including the finest hotels and excursions.
Read more about booking a Dubai Stopover
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Emirates Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Emirates First Class
Read the BusinessClass.com Travel Guide to Dubai
JAL Japan Airlines
The Japan Airlines Stopover Program is an excellent way for passengers to take a break of longer than 24 hours and stay for up to six nights in Tokyo or Osaka at no extra cost to the airfare. By selecting the multi-city stopover and purchasing the JAL Japan Explorer Pass, Japan Airlines can connect customers to more than 30 cities across Japan.
Experience diverse cultures and the history of multi-city destinations with JAL discounts on hotels, transportation, tours and activities. The stopovers are simple to book by selecting Multi-City/Stopover booking tool. Passengers requiring domestic stopover flights can arrange these through the JAL call centre.
Read more about JAL Stopover Flights
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Japan Airlines Business Class
Read the Businessclass.com review of the Japan Airlines Premium Economy
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Tokyo
Oman Airways
Start your free stopover at the country's capital city - Muscat – a welcoming city of Omani hospitality, old-world charm and contemporary style, for between one and three nights. Stopover privileges include discounted rates at three-, four- and five-star hotels with further discounts on food & soft beverages and spa facilities where available.
Explore Oman's scenic mountain ranges, desert escapes and striking coastlines with bespoke tours through Oman Airways. Booking is simple on the Omanair website – after choosing an airline ticket, select "Stopover" and choose the package that suits.
Read further details about Oman Airways stopover packages
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Oman Air Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Oman Air First Class
Read the Businessclass.com Muscat Travel Guide
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Oman
Search, Book & Save on your next premium flight - with a stopover - with BusinessClass.com today:
Copa Airlines
Explore Panama City with a stopover from one to seven days at no extra cost to the airfare. Discover the multi-cultural legacy of this Central American city with its cosmopolitan vibe, unique gastronomy, tropical biodiversity, serene white sand beaches and tranquil islands.
Booking a Panama Stopover is a simple process of selecting one stop in Panama on the outbound or return journey when booking airline tickets and choosing the number of nights stay. Copa Airlines has discounts on excellent tour packages to suit every duration and desire, with deals on luxury hotels and accommodations.
Read more about booking a Panama Stopover
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Copa Airlines Business Class
Finnair
The Finnish airline offers 6, 12 and 24-hour 'layovers' for eligible passengers with no additional costs to the airfare, though accommodation is an added cost. When staying in Helsinki for a 24-hour stopover, Finnair provides a list of hotels to suit all budgets and tastes, with the added benefit of earning extra Finnair Points when booked directly through the airline.
The airline website also provides helpful guides so passengers can make the most of their stay in the beautiful capital city of Finland.
Find out more about Finnish Airlines Layover packages
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Finnair Business Class
Qantas
The Australian flag carrier offers attractive stopover packages at no extra cost to the airfare on eligible Qantas flights, including oneworld partner airlines. Include a stopover on route to the final destination or select several stops with a multi-city booking.
An example is a flight from Australia to New York via San Francisco, Los Angeles or Dallas. Hotel costs and tour excursions are at additional charges.
Read more about Qantas Stopovers
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Qantas Business Class
Air Canada
Experience Toronto - Canada's biggest city by population - with a 48-hour stopover in the vibrant metropolitan city when travelling to Canada, the US or South America. Visit the world-famous Niagara Falls, the CN Tower, and much more with a multi-city stopover booking. Another enticing stopover package is available to Aeroplan loyalty program customers.
Book a one-way or round trip using Aeroplan points with a stopover of up to 45 days in either or both directions for just 5,000 Aeroplan points each way. Though this isn't technically free, this is a great stopover incentive for Air Canada frequent fliers and offers a significant saving over competing airlines.
Read more about the Experience Toronto Stopover package
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Air Canada Business Class
Air France / KLM
The French and Dutch flag carriers have combined to offer passengers the opportunity to stay for 24 hours or more for free on flights operated by Air France, KLM or partner airlines and booked through their loyalty program – Flying Blue. The free stopover incentive will allow passengers to stay at a stopover location for up to twelve months at no extra cost to the airfare before taking the onward flight to the final destination.
Customers will have to find their own accommodation, but the flexibility of this package will be popular, especially in Paris and Amsterdam, being the main hubs. The airline's websites are challenging to navigate. However, call centres can make all appropriate arrangements.
Read more about Flying Blue complimentary stopovers
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Air France Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of KLM Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of the Best Luxury Hotels in Paris
Read the Emily in Paris guide to the City of Light
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Amsterdam
Singapore Airlines
Singapore is a popular stopover destination as the gateway to Southeast Asia. The airline has recently revised its stopover policy. Passengers can book from a selection of hotels at heavily discounted rates through the Singapore Stopover Holiday package, including airport transfer and complimentary access to over 20 attractions and offers.
Visit the multi-city booking page on the airline's website and select a stay longer than 24 hours and no more than 30 days.
Read more about Singapore Stopover Holidays
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Singapore Airlines Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com Travel Guide to Singapore
Best Airline Stopover Programs that are totally FREE!
Turkish Airlines
Stopover in the historical and cultural city of Istanbul for at least 20 hours and receive free accommodation at partner hotels. Business Class passengers will stay free of charge for up to two nights at a select five-star hotel, while economy class customers can stay one night in a four-star hotel. Stopover in Istanbul is only available to passengers departing or returning via Istanbul and is used only once during a round trip.
Applying for the Stopover in Istanbul is a little more complex than a simple click – passengers must email personal contact details, ticket numbers and a reservation code at least 72 hours before the first flight and request preferred room type and desired accommodation dates.
Read more about Stopover in Istanbul
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Turkish Airlines Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Istanbul
Royal Jordanian Airlines
Referred to as "RJ" by Jordanians, Royal Jordanian offers the Zuwar Stopover Program from its hub in Amman with a stopover at no additional cost to the airfare. Various packages are available to explore the region's top historical and religious sites, with transportation, entrance fees, and dining expenses covered within the attractive prices of the excursions.
Find out more about Zuwar Stopover. Royal Jordanian also offers transiting passengers with less than 24 hours a complimentary layover package, including free accommodation, meal service and transportation – subject to requirements.
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Royal Jordanian Business Class
Air China
One of the few airlines to offer stopover packages, including free partner hotel accommodation and complimentary airport/hotel transportation. Passengers receive accommodation for one night in eight cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, with breakfast included on international flights where the stopover is between 6 and 30 hours in duration.
Passengers flying in First and Business Class can book luxury transit hotels.
Read more about the Air China free transit package
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Air China Business Class
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Beijing
Read the BusinessClass.com review of The Best Luxury Hotels in Shanghai
Ethiopian Airlines
Though technically more of a layover than a stopover due to the 24-hour time limit of eligibility, Ethiopian Airlines offer a complimentary hotel service for passengers in transit through Addis Ababa where no immediate connecting flight is available. The airline also provides transportation to and from the airport along with transit visas free of charge.
Strict conditions apply, and stays longer than 24 hours are not eligible. Passengers don't need to make arrangements in advance and can book via the Interline desk at Addis Ababa Airport.
Read more about Addis Ababa stopovers here
Read the BusinessClass.com review of Ethiopian Airlines Business Class
Next time you book a trip, why not enjoy a stopover and cherish a new experience!
Search, Book & Save on your next next premium flight with BusinessClass.com today:
FAQ's
How to book a free stopover flight?
Most airlines make the process as easy as entering the stopover destination and duration at the time of booking with user-friendly booking pages.
Are there any restrictions on the duration of a free stopover?
Each airline is different and stipulates the minimum (usually 24 hours) and the maximum number of days in the terms and conditions.
Can I book a free stopover on a one-way flight?
Yes – but not with all airlines. Check the individual airline's terms and conditions.
Airlines with free stopovers in Europe
TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Air France, and KLM.
Are stopovers in Doha allowed for free with Qatar Airlines?
Yes, but view the hotel packages for significantly discounted accommodation prices.
How much money can I save with a free stopover?
There is no set equation; however, it is possible to save up to half the direct flight cost by selecting a stopover destination. Of course, you are also flying to the stopover destination at no extra cost.
Are there any hidden fees associated with booking a free stopover?
Look out for airport taxes and fuel surcharges—factor in hotel accommodation, food and entertainment when not offered on a stopover package.
What are the benefits of booking a free stopover with an airline?
It is possible to make considerable savings over the costs of direct flights. Stopovers are a chance to visit exciting cities and break up long and tiresome journeys. They may also reduce the physical impact of travelling through multiple time zones in one hit.
Can I earn frequent flyer miles on a free stopover?
Yes. And certain airlines allow passengers to earn miles with partner hotel bookings at the stopover destination.
Can I visit multiple cities during a free stopover?
Yes, you can visit multiple cities during a free stopover if the airline allows it. Some airlines allow passengers to visit up to three or more cities but check with the airline when booking.
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