Most people are only concerned with getting from A to B when they book a trip. Anything outside of that is too much of a hassle. Taking advantage of airline stopover programs is a great, inexpensive way to pack new travel adventures into your trip and visit parts of the world that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see.

WHAT IS A STOPOVER?

At its simplest, a stopover is a much longer layover – often a second destination on part of a multi-stop itinerary. If traveling domestically, a stopover typically qualifies as anything that lasts longer than four hours. When flying internationally, a stopover is any connection lasting more than 24 hours.

BEST AIRLINES FOR STOPOVERS

1. TAP AIR PORTUGAL

TAP Portugal allows a free stopover of up to five nights in Lisbon or Porto once you purchase a round-trip intercontinental flight. This stopover is most convenient for flights between North America and Europe.

2. ICELAND AIR

Iceland Air allows a free stopover of up to seven nights in Reykjavik. You must have a roundtrip ticket to book a stopover (this won't work on a one-way ticket), and your overall trip must be less than 14 days. This stopover is most convenient when flying between North America and Europe.

3. EMIRATES AIRLINE

Emirates offers a free stopover in Dubai. Simply add the desired duration of your stopover and they will take care of everything, starting with a meet and greet at the airport to 24-hour check-in, tours, excursions and more. 

4. QATAR AIRWAYS

Qatar Airways a free stopovers in Qatar. A maximum of 4 nights can be booked under this offer depending on the flight journey.

5. FINNAIR

FinnAir offers 2 free stopovers in Helsinki for up to 5 nights. You can stop on your way to your destination and on your way home.

6. TURKISH AIRLINES 

Turkish Airlines offers a stopover program in Istanbul for free on almost every ticket fare class and city-pairs. Turkish Airlines also offers a free night of hotel accommodation in Istanbul.

7. HAWAIIAN AIRLINES 

Hawaiian Airlines offers free stopovers in Hawaii on international flights between North American and Asia or the South Pacific. There is no time limit on the length of the stopover. However, only one stopover is permitted at any single point on the itinerary of a journey (outbound or inbound, not both).

8. COPA AIRLINES

Copa Airlines offers a free stopover in Panama City for up to seven days. If you wish to make two (2) stopovers—i.e., a stopover on both your outbound trip and your return trip—you must request this before your ticket is issued.