With 2024 coming to a close, travel lovers can start getting excited about what next year has in store. Whether you’ve got business trips lined up, are planning a solo adventure, or can’t wait to lounge on a faraway beach during the summer, 2025 promises to be a record-breaking year for global travel demand.
If you’re yet to book your trip for next year, you may want to consider taking advantage of one of the many stopover programs global airlines offer to passengers on long-haul trips.
When booking a flight with multiple stops, these programs allow you to extend your stay at a layover destination for a prolonged period at no extra airfare cost.
What Is a Stopover Program?
Flights with a layover are often a great option for long-haul travel. They’re even essential for some, such as those who don’t live close to a major international airport or are traveling to a hard-to-reach destination. For others, they can be a great way to save money on the cost of a flight when nonstop connections come with an astronomical price.
On the flip side, layovers typically add many hours to your journey, but these don’t have to be spent twiddling your thumbs in an airport terminal or spending extortionate amounts on sub-par airport food.
Travel in style / Photo: Seligaa/Shutterstock
With a stopover program, you can leave the airport for a day or two, sometimes up to a week, to explore a new city and culture of somewhere you may have previously overlooked before heading to your final destination again.
A wide variety of stopover programs are now available to travelers, with many of the world’s leading international airlines offering some sort of package. They typically won’t charge you any extra for your airfare; some will even provide a free night or two in selected hotels. And while some airlines advertise their stopover programs extensively, others may not be as obvious.
So, if you’re interested in adding another unique destination to your next trip but are unsure where to look, we’ve compiled a list of ten of the best airline stopover programs offered next year.
The Best Airline Stopover Programs in 2025
Copa Airlines
Offering connecting flights to dozens of destinations across South America and the Caribbean, the Panamanian flag carrier Copa Airlines is a great choice for those looking to soak up Latin America’s culture, sun, and natural beauty.
Copa offers one of the most renowned stopover programs on the globe—Panama Stopover—which allows passengers to spend between one and seven days in the country at no additional airfare when traveling via Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport (PTY), the so-called ‘Hub of the Americas.’
Photo: Tocumen International Airport Terminal 2, Copa Airlines. Courtesy of Enrique Perrella
While many travelers use Copa’s extensive flight network and reasonable prices to get to further flung destinations in Latin America, those who choose to stop in Panama for a few days rarely regret it.
The tiny Central American country packs a big punch for its small size, with stunning beaches spanning both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, a rich biodiversity allowing for easy wildlife spotting, and, of course, the Panama Canal—one of the most impressive feats of modern human engineering in the world.
Photo: Panama City, Panama. Courtesy of Yosi Bitran / Unsplash
Panama City itself also isn’t to be missed, with a modern exterior and a charming, historic core coming together to form a microcosm of both the new and old Latin America. So, whether you’re a culture vulture, a thrill seeker, or a beach lover, Copa’s Panama Stopover program has something to offer every type of traveler.
Copa is increasingly making travel convenient for U.S. travelers, as it now offers flights to 18 destinations across the United States and Canada. Key U.S. cities include Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. These destinations are seamlessly connected to Copa’s extensive network of 85 locations across 32 countries in North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean.
Etihad
Etihad Airways is well-known among premium travelers as being one of the world’s most luxurious airlines—fitting for an airline based in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s most opulent cities.
The airline also offers an enticing stopover program for passengers passing through Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH), which allows customers with a layover of at least 24 hours to book up to two free nights in a choice of more than 20 premium hotels. It also offers discounted hotel bookings for longer stays of up to six nights.
Photo: Abu Dhabi. Courtesy of David Rodrigo / Unsplash
In Abu Dhabi, travelers can find an intriguing blend of the old and the new, with ancient souks and majestic mosques juxtaposed against a backdrop of towering skyscrapers and state-of-the-art shopping malls and museums. It’s also just a short drive to the glamorous metropolis of Dubai or camel safari opportunities in the near-wilderness of the Arabian desert.
With onward connections from Abu Dhabi to more than 80 destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond, finding an Etihad flight with a stopover that suits you won’t be hard.
TAP Air Portugal
TAP Air Portugal has a growing flight network in the U.S. and also offers one of the best stopover programs – its award-winning Portugal Stopover Program allows passengers to sample a choice of Portuguese destinations en route to their final destination.
The program, which allows you to stay for up to 10 days in the country at no extra airfare, is currently available in the historic Portuguese capital, Lisbon (LIS), and its bustling northern neighbor, Porto.
Lisbon / Photo: Alessandro Aviles
What’s more, the program is being extended to Terceira (TER) when TAP Air adds the Azorean island as a regular layover on its weekly service between Lisbon and San Francisco (SFO) in June 2025.
Sitting in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores is a stunning and isolated archipelago that marks a convenient stopover location on transatlantic flights. Terceira is one of the main islands, with lush green landscapes and volcanic beaches, and is a paradise for adventure-seekers.
TAP Air Portugal also offers discounted flights to other Portuguese destinations when on a layover, as well as free and discounted tickets to numerous museums, restaurants, and cultural attractions across the country.
Icelandair
Another airline taking advantage of its strategic location between North America and Europe, Icelandair invites its passengers to take a detour to explore the otherworldly landscapes of this dramatic island nation when traveling via Iceland’s main airport in Reykjavik-Keflavik (KEF).
The Icelandic flag carrier’s stopover program allows passengers to stay in Iceland from 24 hours to up to seven days at no additional airfare. Iceland has tons to offer the intrepid traveler no matter the season, from the northern lights and ice cave tours in the winter months to geothermal hot springs and the midnight sun throughout the summer.
Reykjavík, Iceland / Photo: Harald Nachtmann/Moment/Getty Images
The airline also provides a range of stopover itineraries, depending on your length of stay, to help guide your time there. Icelandair already serves a number of airports across the U.S. and is expanding further in 2025, including new flights to Nashville from May, so it could be a convenient airline choice for many with ambitions of flying to Europe next year.
Japan Airlines
If you’ve got plans for Asia instead of Europe, Japan Airlines (JAL) offers flights to dozens of destinations on the continent while offering an exciting stopover program in the “Land of the Rising Sun.”
In addition to offering up to six nights at no extra airfare in either Tokyo or Osaka, the Japanese flag carrier offers the JAL Japan Explorer Pass. This scheme opens up a world of opportunities for passengers with a lengthy layover in Japan, providing access to discounted connections to over 30 destinations across the country.
Solo travelers are on the rise, with Japan / Photo: Tianshu Liu/Unsplash
Away from Japan’s buzzing major cities, countless off-the-beaten-track destinations are waiting to be explored, from the snowy mountains of the north to the sub-tropical beaches in the south, with ancient temples and tranquil villages scattered throughout. If traveling in spring, you could even catch a glimpse of the iconic cherry blossom season that graces the country every year.
JAL offers a number of transpacific flights connecting U.S. hubs to major cities across Asia via Japan, including the business travel hubs of Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG), so its stopover program provides a great opportunity to mix business with pleasure when heading off on your next trip to the Far East.
Finnair
Finnair is another airline with a growing global network, connecting dozens of destinations in North America, Europe, and Asia via its hub at Helsinki (HEL).
The Finnish airline offers a range of itineraries for travelers on a layover in Helsinki, whether they’re there for just 6 hours, 12 hours, or 24 hours.
Photo: Courtesy of Finnair
Its comprehensive guides list convenient hotels in the city to suit all budgets and top ideas for things to do, places to eat, and even where to find free walking tours.
Helsinki has a lot to offer, with a vibrant cafe scene and nightlife, an intriguing mix of traditional Finnish architecture with modern Scandinavian touches and even a Russian influence, and a relative lack of tourists compared to other European capitals, at least. It’s also pretty small, meaning it’s easy to get out to the beautiful surrounding nature, which includes picturesque lakes and plenty of opportunities to indulge yourself in a sauna – Finland’s favorite pastime.
Although Finnair’s stopover program is pretty time-limited, you can earn additional Finnair Points when booking recommended hotels, and the carrier’s growing flight network makes it more accessible than ever.
SWISS
Switzerland is world-famous for its natural beauty and outdoor opportunities, and Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) invites layover passengers to spend some time here with its highly-regarded stopover program,
The Stopover Switzerland program is available to SWISS passengers with layovers in Zurich (ZRH), and it allows for up to 5 days in the country with no additional airfare. The program offers a number of different packages to suit varied tastes and budgets, with bundles also including free accommodation and public transport. In addition, the packages offer discounted prices at more than 100 attractions and restaurants across the country.
Photo: Courtesy of Zurich Airport
Despite Switzerland’s mountain terrain, its small size and excellent infrastructure make traveling around it a doddle, especially from the central hub of Zurich, while the scenery along the way is breathtaking.
So, whether you want to marvel at the country’s majestic green valleys, stay in a cozy lakeside chalet, or get your adrenaline pumping at one of its many world-class ski resorts, SWISS’s stopover program can provide you with up to five unforgettable days before your onward flight.
Turkish Airlines
Based in Istanbul (IST), a strategically located city on the border of Europe and Asia, Turkish Airlines has one of the most extensive flight networks in the world. It currently serves more than 300 destinations across six continents, including the recent additions of Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) – its first destinations in Oceania – so you could find a Turkish Airlines flight to just about anywhere.
Photo: Istanbul, Turkey. Courtesy of Engin Yapici / Unsplash
Its stopover program shouldn’t be missed either, offering passengers the chance to extend their layover in Istanbul for up to two nights. Eligible to travelers with a layover of 20 hours or more, business class passengers can stay in a luxury 5-star hotel for two nights free of charge, while economy passengers can enjoy one night in a 4-star hotel. Passengers on shorter layovers can also make use of a free city tour, which includes transportation and food.
However long you decide to stay in Istanbul, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. This mega-city is a lively melting pot of Turkish, Middle Eastern, and European cultures, with grand Islamic architecture and seemingly endless indoor markets mixed with modern shopping streets, exquisite cuisine, and exuberant nightlife.
Air France/KLM
Operated by not one but two airlines, the Flying Blue stopover program allows for extended stays in two of Europe’s most iconic cities—Paris and Amsterdam.
By far one of the generous stopover programs in terms of time allowed, passengers can stay at either layover location for anywhere between 24 hours and twelve months at no additional cost, although they’ll have to fork up for their accommodation.
Four Seasons / Photo: Courtesy of Four Seasons
But it shouldn’t be a problem finding anywhere to stay—both Paris and Amsterdam are two of the world’s most tourist-friendly cities, with hundreds if not thousands of options to suit all budgets. Air France-KLM also offers an Air&Rail service, which allows passengers to book onward rail connections across France and the Netherlands under the same ticket as their flight, allowing them to get out and explore the country more.
One of the many terraces at Leidseplein, in the center of Amsterdam, the Netherlands / Photo: Harry Beugelink
Booking a stopover with Air France or KLM is easy to do on either airline’s website, and if you’re a Flying Blue member, award tickets that come with a complimentary layover in either city are available.
Oman Air
If you’re after something more off-the-beaten-track, then Oman Air’s stopover program is the one for you. This lesser-known airline offers flights across the Middle East and further into Asia, including to India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, via its hub at the Omani capital Muscat (MCT).
The program offers a free one-night stay in a luxury hotel for premium passengers, while all the other passengers can get discounted prices on accommodation, food, tours, car hire, and more.
Photo: Muscat, Oman. Courtesy of Gilles Gravier / Unsplash
Muscat, recognized as one of the world’s best places to visit by numerous publications, is a laid-back capital city, offering a much more relaxed alternative to nearby Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Tourism is gradually expanding in Oman, however, and numerous luxury hotels, boutique villas, and beachside resorts can be found in Muscat and its surrounding areas. Further afield, travelers can enjoy spotless beaches, dramatic gorges, and mystical desert landscapes.
There is one slight caveat with Oman Air’s stopover program, however, and that’s the fact that the airline doesn’t currently operate any flights to the U.S. However, it’s set to join the oneworld alliance in June 2025, which could open up codeshare opportunities with the likes of American Airlines and Alaska Airlines. It also currently offers nonstop flights to Muscat from numerous European hubs, including London Heathrow (LHR), Frankfurt (FRA), and Milan-Malpensa (MXP).
Stopover programs are transforming how we think about long-haul travel, offering exciting opportunities to explore new destinations without breaking the bank. Whether it’s an adventurous layover in Iceland, a luxurious stay in Abu Dhabi, or a cultural deep dive in Japan, these programs are redefining what it means to travel. With so many options for 2025, there’s no better time to turn your next layover into an unforgettable journey.