Emirates Joins Qatar Airways, Icelandair, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines in Turning Long Layovers into Unforgettable Global Travel Experiences

Published on December 23, 2025

In modern air travel, long-haul flights are no longer just a matter of reaching your destination. Airlines are increasingly competing to enhance the journey itself, offering passengers premium services, luxurious cabins, and creative ways to turn long layovers into valuable travel experiences. Among the leaders in this area is Emirates, whose Dubai stopover programs have set a global benchmark. Yet, Emirates is not alone—several other airlines have developed similar offerings that transform ordinary connections into memorable mini-vacations.

This article explores Emirates’ stopover program and highlights seven other airlines around the world providing comparable experiences, combining convenience, luxury, and adventure for passengers seeking more from their travel.

Emirates – Dubai Connect and Stopover Programs

Emirates is one of the most recognizable names in global aviation, famed for its luxurious cabins, top-tier service, and extensive network of international flights. One of the airline’s most appealing offerings is the Dubai Connect program, which is designed to turn long layovers into an opportunity to explore the city.

Dubai Connect

Dubai Connect is primarily aimed at passengers whose connecting flights result in long layovers at Dubai International Airport. The program provides complimentary hotel accommodation, meals, and ground transportation for passengers with layovers that fall within a specific time window. This means that even travelers flying in economy class can enjoy a comfortable hotel stay if their schedule requires a wait between connecting flights.

Stopover Packages

For travelers who want a more immersive experience, Emirates also offers Dubai stopover packages. These packages allow passengers to extend their stay in Dubai for several days, enjoying curated experiences such as sightseeing tours, desert safaris, shopping expeditions, and cultural attractions. By combining flights with travel experiences, Emirates allows travelers to enjoy Dubai as more than just a transit hub; it becomes an additional destination in their itinerary.

The appeal of Emirates’ programs lies in the combination of convenience and luxury. Even a short layover can be transformed into a restful night’s stay in a hotel, while longer stopovers can evolve into a fully planned mini-vacation exploring one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Qatar Airways – Doha Stopover Packages

Qatar Airways is another leading Middle Eastern carrier offering a compelling stopover program. The airline’s hub in Doha provides passengers with the opportunity to explore the Qatari capital during their connecting flights.

Qatar Airways offers hotel packages at competitive rates, catering to a range of budgets. For example, passengers can book four-star hotels for nominal fees or choose luxury accommodations at discounted rates. In addition to hotels, travelers with longer layovers may take part in city tours, visiting popular attractions, cultural landmarks, and local markets.

The Qatar Airways stopover program closely mirrors Emirates’ approach by leveraging the airline’s hub as a destination in itself. It emphasizes comfort, convenience, and the chance to explore the city, adding value to the travel experience beyond simply getting from one point to another.

Icelandair – Reykjavík Stopover

Icelandair has long been a pioneer in offering stopovers that transform travel across the Atlantic. The airline’s Reykjavík stopover program allows passengers flying between North America and Europe to spend up to seven days in Iceland without incurring additional airfare costs.

This program encourages travelers to explore Reykjavík and the surrounding Icelandic landscapes. Many passengers take advantage of geothermal spas, hiking trails, and seasonal experiences such as viewing the Northern Lights. Unlike other airlines that focus primarily on hotel accommodations, Icelandair emphasizes the destination itself, turning a connection into a full-fledged exploration opportunity.

What makes Icelandair’s program particularly attractive is the flexibility it offers. Passengers can design their own itinerary, choosing how long to stay in Reykjavík and which activities to pursue. This approach allows for a highly personalized travel experience, akin to having a vacation embedded within the journey.

TAP Air Portugal – Lisbon and Porto Stopovers

TAP Air Portugal has also embraced the concept of stopovers, particularly in Lisbon and Porto. Passengers traveling across the Atlantic can extend their stay in Portugal for several days without paying extra airfare. The airline provides discounted hotel accommodations and offers curated experiences, allowing travelers to explore Portuguese culture, history, and cuisine.

Lisbon and Porto are ideal cities for stopovers due to their rich architectural heritage, vibrant food scenes, and scenic surroundings. Travelers can walk through historic neighborhoods, enjoy traditional Portuguese dishes, or explore nearby coastal towns. TAP Air Portugal’s program transforms an otherwise routine layover into a culturally enriching experience.

Turkish Airlines – Istanbul Stopover

Turkish Airlines offers a Stopover in Istanbul program, designed to give passengers a taste of one of the world’s most historic and culturally significant cities. Eligible travelers can enjoy free or discounted hotel stays and, in some cases, guided tours that showcase Istanbul’s landmarks and attractions.

Istanbul’s unique position straddling Europe and Asia makes it an appealing stopover destination. Visitors can explore iconic sites like the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Grand Bazaar, combining a short stay with rich historical and cultural experiences. Turkish Airlines’ program emphasizes both comfort and adventure, allowing travelers to make the most of their connection in the city.

Singapore Airlines – Singapore Stopover Holiday

Singapore Airlines provides a stopover program in its home city, allowing passengers to experience the vibrant metropolis during a layover. The airline offers discounted hotel stays and curated attraction packages, making it convenient for travelers to explore Singapore’s modern skyline, cultural districts, and culinary offerings.

The program encourages passengers to step out of the airport and explore Singapore’s attractions, from the Marina Bay Sands to the Gardens by the Bay. By turning a transit stop into a chance to discover the city, Singapore Airlines enhances the value of travel time and provides an experience akin to a mini-vacation.

Ethiopian Airlines – Addis Ababa Stopover

Ethiopian Airlines has a stopover program focused on Addis Ababa, providing travelers with free hotel accommodation for qualifying layovers. The airline also assists with transit visas, making it easier for international passengers to explore the city.

Addis Ababa offers a unique cultural experience, with historic sites, bustling markets, and a thriving culinary scene. Ethiopian Airlines’ program may not have the luxury branding of Emirates or Qatar Airways, but it provides a practical and engaging way for travelers to turn a long connection into an opportunity to explore Africa’s rich culture.

Comparing Stopover Programs

While each airline has its unique approach, several common features define modern stopover programs:

1. Hotel Accommodation: Most programs provide free or discounted hotel stays, allowing travelers to rest comfortably during layovers.
2. City Exploration: Airlines encourage passengers to explore local attractions, offering guided tours or curated itineraries.
3. Accessibility: Programs typically target passengers with layovers beyond a minimum number of hours, ensuring enough time to enjoy the stopover.
4. Flexibility: Many programs allow travelers to choose the length of their stay, providing opportunities for short or extended visits.

These programs are designed to enhance the passenger experience, providing value beyond the flight itself and encouraging travelers to consider the airline’s hub cities as destinations worth visiting.

Additional Airlines with Notable Stopover Options

While the above airlines are some of the most prominent, several other carriers also offer attractive stopover options:

• Iberia: Offers stopovers in Madrid, with opportunities to explore the city’s culture, museums, and historic neighborhoods.
• Copa Airlines: Provides stopovers in Panama City, allowing passengers to visit the Panama Canal and local attractions.
• Royal Jordanian: Offers hotel accommodation and sightseeing options in Amman, turning layovers into brief cultural experiences.

These programs demonstrate that stopovers are increasingly being recognized as a strategic way to enhance travel experiences, turning what was once considered downtime into a valuable component of the journey.

Why Stopovers Are Valuable

Stopover programs provide multiple benefits for travelers:

Maximizing Travel Time

Instead of waiting in an airport lounge, passengers can explore a city or region, making their overall journey more productive and memorable.

Adding Value Without Extra Costs

Most programs allow travelers to take advantage of hotel stays or experiences without increasing their airfare, effectively giving them more for the same price.

Enhancing the Travel Experience

By integrating local culture, cuisine, and sightseeing into transit stops, airlines provide passengers with a richer, more immersive travel experience.

Encouraging Tourism in Hub Cities

Airlines use stopover programs to boost tourism in their hub cities, which benefits local economies while offering passengers unique experiences they might not have considered otherwise.

Conclusion

Airlines like Emirates have redefined what long-haul travel can be, showing that layovers don’t have to be boring or inconvenient. Through programs such as Dubai Connect and Dubai stopover packages, passengers can enjoy comfortable accommodations, cultural experiences, and even city exploration without leaving the benefits of their chosen airline.

Similarly, carriers including Qatar Airways, Icelandair, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Ethiopian Airlines are enhancing passenger experiences with stopover programs that turn ordinary connections into extraordinary opportunities. By taking advantage of these programs, travelers can explore new cities, enjoy comfortable accommodations, and maximize the value of their journeys.

The modern traveler can now think of air travel not just as moving from one destination to another but as an opportunity to discover multiple destinations within a single journey. Whether through luxury, culture, adventure, or simply convenience, stopover programs represent a remarkable evolution in global aviation, making every long-haul flight an experience to remember.

For anyone planning international travel, understanding and utilizing these programs can transform a long journey from a waiting period into a series of memorable adventures, ensuring that the journey itself becomes as rewarding as the destination.