Bonus side trip? The best airline stopover programmes in 2026

As airlines compete more aggressively for long-haul passengers, stopover programmes have become one of the industry’s most effective tools to promote local tourism at their home hub. For passengers taking airlines up on these tempting offers, what used to be a dull overnight connection can turn into a short city break.

Sometimes airlines include a free hotel stay or deeply discounted accommodations, and all allow you to pause to see local sights during your journey without paying extra airfare.

Not all stopovers are created equal. Some stopover packages are generous but tightly restricted; others are flexible but offer few perks. Here’s a comprehensive look at the airline stopover programmes available in 2026, what they actually include, and how they differ.

Airlines offering free or subsidised stopover hotels

These are the luxury stopover packages with accommodation included or heavily subsidised, usually for longer connections.

Turkish Airlines — Istanbul

Turkish Airlines runs one of the most established stopover programmes in the world. Eligible passengers transiting Istanbul can receive complimentary hotel accommodation, with the number of nights depending on cabin class and market.

This stopover hotel offer is separate from the airline’s shorter TourIstanbul product, which offers free city tours for passengers with shorter connections. Stopovers must be applied for after ticket purchase and are subject to fare rules and minimum connection times. For more information, visit the Turkish Airlines website.

Emirates — Dubai

Emirates operates two distinct stopover products. Dubai Connect provides complimentary hotel, meals, and transfers for passengers facing long layovers when no shorter connection is available, with eligibility thresholds varying by cabin.

Separately, Emirates also sells Dubai Stopover packages, which bundle multi-night hotel stays, visas, and transfers—often at competitive prices.

Etihad Airways — Abu Dhabi

Etihad’s Abu Dhabi stopover programme includes complimentary hotel stays on eligible itineraries, alongside optional paid extensions and destination perks.

Availability varies by route and fare, and travellers must book the hotel through Etihad’s stopover portal or Manage Booking. 

Qatar Airways — Doha

Qatar Airways does not typically offer free hotel stays, but its Doha stopover programme is among the most cost-effective subsidised options available.

Through Discover Qatar, passengers can book four- and five-star hotels at heavily discounted nightly rates, typically for stays of 12 to 96 hours. The programme is designed to encourage short city stays rather than overnight recovery stops.

Ethiopian Airlines — Addis Ababa

Ethiopian Airlines offers stopover and transit accommodation options in Addis Ababa, including packages linked to its hub operations.

Availability and inclusions vary by itinerary, and the airline directs passengers to book stopover services through its dedicated Addis Ababa stopover page rather than automatically including hotels.

Airlines offering free stopovers (airfare only)

These carriers allow passengers to pause their journey without paying extra airfare, but accommodation is generally not included.

Icelandair — Reykjavik

One of the original stopover pioneers, Icelandair allows passengers to stay in Iceland for up to seven days at no additional airfare on transatlantic itineraries. Hotels are not included, but the booking engine explicitly supports stopover routing.

TAP Air Portugal — Lisbon or Porto

TAP Air Portugal’s Portugal Stopover programme allows travellers to add a stay of up to 10 days in Lisbon or Porto without increasing the ticket price. The programme offers partner discounts — including hotels, experiences and domestic flights — rather than free accommodation.

SAS — Scandinavia

SAS allows stopovers in its Scandinavian hubs on eligible fares, though the current page highlights Copenhagen. While hotels are not included, the airline permits routing flexibility that enables multi-day stops. Stopovers should be arranged through the airline’s customer service before booking.

Copa Airlines — Panama City

Copa’s Panama Stopover programme lets travellers stop in Panama City for 24 hours up to seven days at no extra airfare. The programme is supported by Panama’s tourism authority and includes access to partner hotels and attraction discounts, but not free hotels.

Iberia — Madrid

Iberia’s “Stopover Hola Madrid” allows passengers to add between one and nine nights in Madrid on eligible itineraries without increasing the flight price. The airline also promotes discounts on accommodation, transport and attractions as part of the programme.

Airline stopovers tied to packages, tours or special conditions

Some airlines don’t advertise stopovers as a core product but still enable extended stays under specific conditions.

Singapore Airlines — Singapore

Singapore Airlines supports stopovers via multi-city bookings and promotes separate stopover packages through its Singapore Stopover product. It also operates the Free Singapore Tour for qualifying transit passengers, though this is a guided excursion rather than a true overnight stopover.

Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways — Japan

Both Japanese carriers allow stopovers on certain international itineraries and award tickets, often enabling travellers to combine long-haul flights with domestic Japan segments. These programmes typically focus on routing flexibility rather than hotel inclusion.

Air China and China Southern Airlines — China

Several Chinese carriers provide transit hotel accommodation for long layovers, usually between six and 24 hours, often including airport transfers. These are typically classified as transit services rather than full tourism stopovers and are subject to strict eligibility rules.

2026 list of airline stopover programmes

This table provides a handy reference of airlines’ dedicated stopover programme pages, including what is (and isn’t) included. 

What travellers should know before booking an airline stopover

Stopover programmes can deliver real value, but only if travellers understand the fine print:

• “Free” often means conditional — complimentary hotels usually apply only when no shorter connection exists or when specific fare classes are booked.
• Visa rules still apply — leaving the airport requires compliance with local entry requirements.
• Booking method matters — some stopovers must be added during initial booking, while others require post-purchase applications.
• Availability is limited — hotel inventory is often capped, especially during peak travel periods.

Airline stopover programs have evolved from marketing gimmicks into strategic tools for filling long-haul seats and promoting hub cities. For airlines, stopovers are about turning a connection at their home hub into a destination, giving travellers another reason to choose them over another carrier serving the same origin and destination cities. 

With these programs, travellers can unlock an additional destination at little or no additional cost, but they should carefully check the airline’s terms and the country’s visa policy before booking.

Featured Image: Emirates

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