What is an Official Airline Stopover Program?
Unlike a normal layover (typically under 24 hours), a stopover allows you to spend 1 to 7 days in a hub city before continuing on to your final destination—frequently without adding any additional airfare cost.
The Best Stopover Programs in 2026
- Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): Offers free 4-star or 5-star hotel accommodation for stopovers over 20 hours, plus free guided city tours with Touristanbul.
- Emirates (Dubai): Special hotel rates, discounted attraction passes, and expedited 48-hour transit visas.
- Qatar Airways (Doha): Luxury 4-star and 5-star hotel packages starting at just $14/night.
- Icelandair (Reykjavik): Add up to 7 days in Iceland on transatlantic crossings with zero added airfare.
- TAP Air Portugal (Lisbon/Porto): Up to 10 days in Portugal with exclusive hotel and dining discounts.
How to Book Stopover Flights
Use the "Multi-City" search option on flight search portals. Enter City A to Hub City on Date 1, then Hub City to City B on Date 2. The combined price is often identical to a direct transit itinerary.
