Anyone who has heard of Blue Lagoon can thank the Sopover program for making Iceland so popular. The stop allows travelers to add a long labour to their fun hub before reaching their final destination. Rather than waiting at the airport, the idea is to give travelers plenty of time to embark on and explore Labor City.
In recent years, such programs have begun offering them. Depending on the airline, travelers can spend 24 hours to 10 days at the location without piling up additional airfares. Stopovers are usually free to schedule and often include free or significantly discounted hotel stays, restaurants, activities, or ground transport. Airlines are an opportunity to direct more tourist dollars towards the capital or flagship nation, allowing travelers to visit multiple destinations (more or less) at one price.
Here are nine of the best airline suspension programs that can help you extend your vacation.
Helsinki, Finland
For those interested in experiencing the happiest country in the world, take advantage of Finnea’s incredible services in the capital of Helsinki. The program allows travelers to stay in Helsinki for up to 5 days at no additional cost, making booking very easy.
When starting your booking on the Finnair website, select Multicity (as opposed to “Round Trip” or “One Way”). Enter the city you are departing and destination, the intended travel date, and the date you wish to stay in the country for days. Then choose whether you want to make a stopover on your outbound journey, or take a return trip, or stay in the country for days.
Finnair does not offer discount hotel stays, but the airline offers its itinerary to help visitors make the most of their visit.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Those passing through Abu Dhabi can choose to stay in the UAE capital for the spells of Etihad Airways stopover programme.
Travelers passing through Etihad’s home base can choose to stay for free one or two nights at a variety of three, four-star, and even five-star hotels across the capital. Luxurious options include Shangri-La Cariato Alberi, Bab Al Kasul and Grand Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel & Residence Emirates Pearl. Hotel options may be fully expanded on Etihad stopover pages.
This program is only available to those who book directly through the Etihad website. To qualify, you must make a reservation at least 3 days in advance before you arrive in the Persian Gulf City. Other provisions include a small number of power outages (including November 2nd to August 3rd to 8th to 8th and December 23rd to January 3rd) and offers are valid in one direction only (so you cannot earn a free stay with both away and return tickets).
Panama City, Panama
Fly to the Caribbean and pause to enjoy the nightlife of Panama’s beaches, islands and cocktail fuel. Copa Airlines’ Stopover program allows travelers to stay in Panama for 1-7 days at no additional cost.
You can add stopovers to your legs on either one-way or round-trip flights (if you pay an additional $250, you can also add middle ends at both ends of the journey). You can only participate in the program if you book directly through Copa. On the booking website, click Multicity and point to a page with the Stopover option.
The program also offers 15-40% off deals on activities such as hotels, restaurants, sightseeing and spa experiences.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
If you are traveling to Africa or are traveling to Africa, hope to connect in Ethiopia. If Addis Ababa’s layover is at least 8 hours long, you will be automatically given a hotel room to the Skylight In The Terminal Hotel at the airport, which has a selection of 97 rooms and suites.
A free one-night stay is available to travelers with flight connections that last up to 24 hours, and includes breakfast and transfer. Before you leave or arrive at the airport, pick up your hotel voucher before you leave or at the Ethiopian Airlines customer service desk.
Doha, Qatar
If you’re interested in exploring Doha, Qatar’s capital, then the national airlines can help you. Under Qatar Airways Stopover Program, travelers can book a stopover for up to four days before choosing from a large discounted accommodation package. For example, a one-night flyer in Doha can choose between standard options (including four-star hotels for $14 per person) or luxury options (5-star hotels for $83 per person).
To book, select “Qatar Stopover” in the flight search panel on the program’s dedicated Qatar page. From there you will need to enter your preferred travel and stop details and click (View Flight). This site will show you options that work for flights that connect via Doha. After purchasing your ticket, you will need to visit the Stopover Hotel booking page to win a deal at the accommodation.
Japan
Many people who fly to Tokyo want to tackle a trip to Kyoto, Hokkaido or Osaka. Fortunately, Japan Airlines’ stopover program allows you to see more countries. The offer allows international visitors to add free stops to any airport in Japan, as long as both international and domestic flights are booked with the same booking. Bookings can be made on the Multicity/Stopover website and even has a handy guide with examples of how it works.
If a US traveler chooses to stay at a destination for more than one day, they will have to pay a $100 fee. Although this program does not offer additional discounts, this option is perfect for those who want to visit as many countries as possible on a single trip.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Turkish Airlines’ stopover program is somewhat difficult to navigate. There is no option to search for itinerary with long stopovers on the website, so you have to hunt one. However, once you understand, this program is one of the more generous schemes that exist.
Passengers with a connection period of at least 20 hours in Istanbul will be eligible for the Istanbul stopover program and will be granted a free hotel room. (Economy class passengers will be awarded one night at a 4-star hotel, while business class flyers will be available for two nights at a 5-star or boutique hotel.)
Once you book your flight (and at least 72 hours before departure), you will need to email the program representative who represents your ticket number, name, the desired accommodation date, the desired room type (single, double, or triple), and a telephone number. Representatives vary by country of departure, but all contact information is available on the airline’s online stopover page. A property voucher will be sent via email.
Beyond the free rooms, travelers can also take advantage of a complimentary city tour organized by Turkish Airlines tourists. To sign up, passengers will need to go to the hotel desk at the International Arrival Terminal at Istanbul Airport.
Lisbon and Porto, Portugal
What sets Tap Air Portugal apart from other stopover programs is that it is not limited to one city, but that flyers can stay for up to 10 days.
Tap Air Portugal’s Stopover system is extremely easy to navigate. To make a reservation, simply enter the date, departure, and destination city and select the “Add Stop” button. The pop-up will then allow you to select stopovers in Lisbon or Porto, stopovers for inbound or outbound flights, and stopover periods.
After booking, Tap Air Portugal offers discounts on hotels, attractions and more on the mobile app.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Icelandair is recognized as a pioneer in free airline stopovers. It has been offering repeat programs since the early 1960s, and has helped greatly increase tourism to fire and ice land.
The current program allows travelers to book stopovers in Reykjavik, Iceland for 1-7 days at no additional cost. All you have to do is select the “Iceland Stopover” option and enter the number of days you want to stay when booking your ticket. It is especially useful for flights between the US and mainland Europe.
Unlike some other destinations, Icelandair’s program does not offer free or discounted accommodation or transportation, so please introduce domestic travel to costs. However, you can book a few tours directly through the airline (including the omitted Golden Circle Tours), where guests can visit the Gallisel geothermal area, the geothermal area of Gallisel waterfall and Aisil.
This story was originally published in July 2023 and updated on June 9, 2025, and contains current information. Daniel Hallock contributed to reporting this story.
