If you’re a frequent flyer, particularly long-haul, there are probably plenty of cities you’ve passed through but never stepped foot in.
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From Europe, you may have spent time in airport megahubs like Kuala Lumpur, Istanbul and Singapore Changi, never leaving the confines of the airport.
But it doesn’t have to be that way if you’re a savvy flyer taking advantage of airline stopover programmes which let you spend a day or two (or even a week) in the city without sending the flight prices soaring.
Here are a few of the airline stopover programmes we think flyers from Europe should be taking advantage of.
TAP Air Portugal
Portuguese flag carrier TAP Air offers one of the longest stopover options with up to 10 days in the country at no extra cost.
Stopovers are offered in Lisbon or Porto, but you can also get a 25% discount on domestic flights to destinations like Faro plus Ponta Delgada, Terceira, Funchal and Porto Santo in the Azores. As part of the programme, you can also get discounts on select hotels, car hire, activities and restaurants.
As for where you can fly afterwards, TAP Air Portugal has flights to more than two dozen cities in Brazil, as well as airports in Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the US. You can also fly to African destinations like Ghana, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Iberia
Spain’s flag carrier Iberia offers a stopover programme for flights via Madrid, with up to 10 days in the city.
Those taking part in Stopover Hola Madrid will get a free two-day public transport card, plus discounts on hotels, tours and restaurants.
Iberia has an extensive network across Latin America with destinations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Uruguay, with flights across the US and Canada, too.
Icelandair
Perfect for those looking to fly to North America, Icelandair offers flyers the chance to stopover for up to a week.
To make it easy for travellers, there are also suggested itineraries covering 24, 48 or 72 hours in the country, where you’ll be able to take in waterfalls, mountains and the iconic Blue Lagoon.
From the hub in Keflavík International Airport you’ll be able to fly on to Toronto, Halifax or Vancouver in Canada plus cities like Boston, Nashville and Seattle in the US.
Icelandair also has routes to four airports in Greenland including Nuuk and Ilulissat.
Qatar Airways
Among the most generous stopover programmes, Qatar Airways offers heavily discounted rates on four- and five-star hotels for flyers staying up to four nights.
Rates start from €24 per night for a standard four-star stay, rising up to €140 per night for a luxury five-stay break, and hotels that are part of the programme offer 24-hour check-in/out, meaning you don’t have to wait until the conventional time of 3 pm.
From Qatar, you can fly to African cities like Johannesburg, Addis Ababa and Nairobi, to destinations across Asia like China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives, or even further to Australian cities like Sydney and Melbourne.
Etihad Airways
Another option for those transiting via the Middle East, Etihad Airways’ stopover programme offers a free two-night hotel stay in Abu Dhabi.
Passengers also get a Stopover Pass which includes a 15% discount on some attractions and theme parks, plus a free local SIM card with 10GB of data.
Etihad’s flight network includes popular hot spots like the Seychelles, the Maldives, Johannesburg, Sri Lanka, Tokyo, Bali and Melbourne.
Turkish Airlines
Passengers with Turkish Airlines can get a free one-night stay in a four-star hotel when flying economy, while those in business class can stay for up to two nights in a five-star or boutique hotel.
The carrier has the Guinness World Record for most countries flown to by an airline, so your onward journey options are almost endless.
Turkish Airlines is a popular choice for those flying onwards to Africa, to places like Cape Town, Kilimanjaro, Lagos and Lusaka, while the network also includes Asian destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh and Kuala Lumpur. For those flying to the Americas, cities served include Bogotá, Denver, São Paolo and Santiago.
Malaysia Airlines
Newly launched in 2025, Malaysia Airlines now offers a “bonus side trip” programme where travellers passing through Kuala Lumpur can book return domestic flights with no extra fare (although you will have to pay the taxes).
Destinations on offer include popular beach spot Langkawi, street food hub Penang and Kota Bharu, which is known for its crafts.
From Malaysia’s capital you can fly on to Australia and New Zealand, or explore locations across Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.