Key facts
- Airlines like TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, Icelandair, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines offer stopover programs.
- These programs allow travelers to extend layovers for one to ten days in cities such as Lisbon, Porto, Madrid, Reykjavik, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Kuala Lumpur.
- Benefits often include discounted or free hotel stays, public transport cards, and reduced rates on tours, car hire, and attractions.
- TAP Air Portugal offers up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto with discounts on various services.
- Iberia's program includes a two-day public transport card and discounts for Madrid stopovers.
- Qatar Airways provides discounted hotel rates starting from €24 per night for four-star stays.
- Etihad Airways offers a free two-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi.
- Turkish Airlines provides free hotel stays for one night (economy) or two nights (business class).
- Malaysia Airlines offers free domestic flights as part of its 'bonus side trip' program.
Airlines are increasingly offering stopover programs to encourage travelers to extend their layovers, transforming transit cities into potential travel destinations. These initiatives aim to boost tourism and passenger engagement by providing incentives to explore beyond the airport.
TAP Air Portugal, the Portuguese flag carrier, allows stopovers of up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto at no additional flight cost. The program also offers discounts on domestic flights to destinations like Faro and the Azores, as well as on hotels, car hire, and activities.
Iberia, Spain's national airline, provides a 'Stopover Hola Madrid' program for flights transiting through Madrid. Participants receive a free two-day public transport card and discounts on hotels and tours, with stopovers permitted for up to 10 days.
Icelandair offers stopovers of up to a week, ideal for travelers heading to North America. The airline provides suggested itineraries for 24, 48, or 72-hour visits, highlighting attractions like waterfalls, mountains, and the Blue Lagoon.
Qatar Airways is known for its generous stopover program, offering heavily discounted rates at four- and five-star hotels for stays of up to four nights. Rates start from €24 per night, with hotels providing 24-hour check-in/out.
Etihad Airways offers a free two-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi for passengers transiting through the Middle East. The program includes a 'Stopover Pass' with discounts on attractions and a free local SIM card.
Turkish Airlines provides a free one-night stay in a four-star hotel for economy passengers and up to two nights in a five-star or boutique hotel for business class travelers.
Malaysia Airlines, a recent entrant to this trend, launched a 'bonus side trip' program in 2025. This allows travelers passing through Kuala Lumpur to book return domestic flights at no extra fare, excluding taxes, to destinations like Langkawi and Penang.