Stopover Programs
From Layover to Stayover for Long Hauls with Kids
They say it’s the journey, not the destination, and we couldn’t agree more - especially when it comes to stopover programs!
Why have just one holiday when you can have two? Many national carriers have partnered with their country’s tourism board to encourage people just flying through to stop and stay a while with stopover programs. And airlines are getting competitive to entice travelers to linger. Some airlines, like LOT and TAP, offer significant discounts on separate internal flights during your stopover. Others; like Saudia, Emirates, and Etihad; offer visa services to streamline your visit. Many offer discounted or free hotel nights, with Qatar Airways offering up to 4 nights at a steep discount. Several airlines also provide tour packages and other benefits, so make sure to check the conditions so you can get the most from your stopover benefit.
Many airlines are also extending comfort to weary travelers beyond the bulkhead through layover programs with complimentary hotel nights, easing long transit times for their customers. Royal Air Maroc adds a meal voucher in addition to a night in a hotel. Ethiopian Airlines goes the extra mile, providing a free night in a hotel for transits between 8-24 hours, even if shorter transit times were available for the itinerary, giving travelers an opportunity to visit Addis Ababa for the day.
But the benefits don’t stop even once you do reach your destination with extended tourism benefits. Malaysia Airlines and ANA Airways are incentivizing travelers to get off the beaten path and see more of their countries. Both offer a free domestic stop to a second city (and in the case of ANA even a steeply discounted third!) when making your final destination their major airport hub in-country.
Stopover programs are great, and even moreso with children. They offer an opportunity to break up long haul flights with some real rest - and entertainment! We took advantage of the Saudia and Turkish Airlines stopover programs when traveling to the Middle East and Kazakhstan, giving us the chance to visit Riyadh and Istanbul. We are considering a stopover during a future trip to Asia since there are few direct flights from our home airport - why just switch planes when you can switch up your whole trip!
So which airlines provide these benefits so you can maximize your next trip? Click on the table below to see the full (and searchable) list of 35 airlines with stopover or layover benefits.