5 Airlines for mini vacations: Make the most out of your travels by turning layovers into mini vacations with airline stopover programs. These special programs, offered by certain international airlines, let passengers add a free stop to their trip, usually in the airline’s main city. You can choose from programs lasting anywhere from 24 hours to 10 days, designed to fit your schedule and interests. So, when booking your flight next time, keep an eye out for these programs that offer free or discounted hotel stays, as well as savings on city tours, museum visits, and dining experiences.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal has a cool stopover program that lets you stay in either Porto or Lisbon for up to 10 days. It’s easy to book – just pick your travel dates and places, then click ‘Add Stopover’ to choose what you want. TAP also gives discounts on hotel stays, saving you about 10-20%. Plus, you get discounts on food, museums, and tours. After your stopover, you can get a 25% discount on flying to another spot in Portugal, like the Azores islands.
Etihad
Etihad’s ‘Stopover on Us’ deal gives you a free stopover in Abu Dhabi. You can stay for one or two nights at a three-star hotel in the city. Guests get special perks like 24-hour check-in and free Wi-Fi in their rooms. To get this offer, first, book a flight through Abu Dhabi in any class. Then, choose your stopover package and check hotel availability on Etihad’s stopover page. Remember, hotel availability depends on your flight booking (not guaranteed), and you need to book at least 72 hours before you travel.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines has a program called ‘Stopover in Istanbul’ for travelers flying from the US who have a layover of at least 20 hours in Istanbul. This program offers free hotel stays: Economy class passengers can stay for two nights at a four-star hotel, while business class passengers get three nights at a five-star hotel. You can also book extra nights at discounted rates starting from $49 USD per night. Booking for the stopover is now easier with a special button on the airline’s booking page.
Turkish Airlines has also introduced its Stopover in Istanbul program in India. This allows passengers flying with Turkish Airlines to explore Istanbul during layovers. You’ll get free accommodation in partner hotels, giving you a chance to experience Istanbul’s rich history, culture, and shopping.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has a great stopover program in Doha, offering discounted hotel packages. You can stay for up to four days at discounted rates, starting from $14 USD for four-star hotels and $23 USD for five-star hotels. Booking through Qatar Airways’ special page is easy, and there are no extra fees from the airline for the stopover.
IcelandAir
If you want to extend your vacation in Reykjavik, check out IcelandAir. They offer free stopovers for transatlantic passengers, lasting from one to seven days. When booking your flights, just click the ‘Stopover in Iceland’ button and pick how long you want to stay. There’s no extra airfare for this. But remember, IcelandAir’s program doesn’t include free or discounted hotel stays, so you’ll need to plan and budget for that. However, their stopover page has suggestions for affordable sightseeing tours to help you make the most of your time there.