Note: This information is provided as a general guide and was accurate at the time of posting. Details may change, so please check with your preferred airline before booking to confirm current stopover hotel offers and eligibility requirements.
Sometimes, long layovers are unavoidable but the good news is, some airlines actually offer free hotel stays when your transit time meets certain conditions and no quicker connection is available.
What used to be a tedious wait has now become a great excuse to rest, explore, or even enjoy a mini holiday. Airlines like Etihad, for example, offer up to two nights of free accommodation in Abu Dhabi!
These stopover perks can be a game changer and might even help you decide which airline to fly with. Just remember: always double-check the eligibility and booking requirements before you lock in your flights.
In this blog, let’s explore some of the top airlines that offer free hotel stays during long layovers, how to request them, and what you need to know to qualify.
And if your airline doesn’t offer a complimentary stopover hotel — don’t worry. You might still be able to book a low-cost hotel near the airport or treat yourself to a paid lounge to make your layover a lot more comfortable and stress-free.
Jump to:
- Qatar
- Turkish Airlines
- Emirates
- Etihad
- Air China
- China Southern
- Hainan Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
- Ethiopian Airlines
1. Qatar Airways (Doha): Complimentary Transit Accommodation in Doha
Qatar Airways offers free transit hotel stays at Hamad International Airport (DOH) for eligible passengers flying on selected routes with long layovers.
What’s Included
- Hotel stay in Doha for transit times between 8 and 24 hours.
- Complimentary temporary transit visa.
- Airport transfers to and from the hotel.
Eligibility Criteria
- No shorter flights available within the 8–24 hr transit period
- Must apply online at least 72 hours before departure
- Tickets must be booked far enough in advance—if within 72 hrs of departure, you need to visit the transfer desk upon arrival in Doha.
- Service is subject to seat availability and at Qatar’s discretion
- Not all fare classes qualify; Qatar Airways will confirm eligibility
- Hotel booking does not guarantee visa entry—Qatar immigration reserves the right to approve entry.
Submit your request there: Accomodation Form
2. Turkish Airlines (Istanbul): Free Stopover Hotel in Istanbul
Turkish Airlines offers a generous complimentary stopover program for passengers transiting through Istanbul Airport.
What’s Included
- Economy Class: Free 1-night stay at a 4-star hotel; eligible passengers from Australia, USA, Canada, and select countries can enjoy up to 2 nights.
- Business Class: Free 2-night stay at a 5-star or boutique hotel; select travelers can receive up to 3 nights.
- Shuttle transfers between the airport and hotel.
- Optional city tours (TourIstanbul) for layovers of 6–24 hours istanbul.com.
Eligibility & Booking
- Layovers must be at least 12 hours for economy and 9 hours for business class passengers.
- Passengers flying from outside Türkiye on Turkish Airlines-operated flights qualify.
- Request your stopover at least 72 hours before departure via email or the stopover desk.
- Upon arrival, collect your hotel voucher at the airline’s stopover desk in Istanbul.
Highlights & Tips
- Program expansion (as of May 2025): Increased free nights for eligible travelers from countries including Australia, Canada, China, USA, and more.
- Sample hotels include 5-star options like Sheraton Levent and Sofitel Taksim, and 4-star options like Grand Yavuz.
- Some passengers also enjoy a complimentary guided city tour with the TourIstanbul option.
Visit: Turkish Airlines Website for more.
3. Emirates Dubai Connect: Complimentary Transit Hotel in Dubai
Emirates provides a complimentary Dubai Connect package for passengers facing lengthy layovers at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodation with meals included
- Round-trip chauffeur or coach transfers between the airport and hotel
- A complimentary UAE visa, arranged prior to departure or on arrival, depending on your nationality and entry requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
- You must have a long layover—typically between 8–26 hours for Economy and Premium Economy, or 6–26 hours for Business and First Class.
- Your connecting flight must be the earliest available to your destination—no earlier connections should exist.
- A minimum 24-hour advance booking is required via Manage My Booking online or through your travel agent.
How It Works
- Book your flight as usual with Emirates.
- 24+ hours before departure, go to Manage Booking, enter your surname and reference, and select Dubai Connect (if eligible).
- Emirates manages hotel, transfers, meals, and visas. At DXB, proceed to the “Dubai Connect” desk upon arrival.
- If your flight was booked via an Emirates office or travel agent, contact them ahead to activate the service.
Pro Tips
- Visas are processed 14 to 48 hours before departure—you’ll need to wait for confirmation.
- Eligibility is automatic only when there isn’t a shorter connection available
- Extras like minibar snacks or spa services may require a credit card at check-in.
Visit: Dubai Connect to book
4. Etihad Abu Dhabi Stopover: Complimentary Hotel Stay in Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways offers a fantastic Abu Dhabi Stopover program that turns long layovers into mini-vacations in the UAE capital. It’s more than just a free hotel it’s a chance to break up a long journey with a bit of adventure. If you’ve got time between flights, why not enjoy some local food, a swim, and a taste of Emirati culture?
I’ve done this myself and loved it. My mum and I used the stopover to break up a long trip to Europe, and it made all the difference. We arrived feeling refreshed instead of exhausted and it turned what would’ve been a boring layover into a great travel memory.
What’s Included
- Up to 2 complimentary hotel nights at a range of Abu Dhabi hotels—from 3-star to premium 5-star options
- Exclusive hotel discounts (up to 40% off) at selected premium hotels if you choose additional night(s)
- Airport transfers and stopover vouchers provided upon booking
- Complimentary Abu Dhabi Pass, including a 10 GB SIM card, free shuttle/bus rides, and up to 15% off on top attractions like Louvre Abu Dhabi and Yas Island entertainment
Eligibility & Booking
- Available when you book directly with Etihad and add the stopover to your itinerary
- Choose stopover options during booking—instant confirmation of hotel selection
- For transit times between 10–24 hours, eligible travelers may qualify for Transit Connect (complimentary airport-area hotel stay)
Pro Tips
- Book early and via the Etihad website to secure popular hotels and maximize voucher availability. If you have already booked contact Etihad support for help.
- Stopover Pass perks include freebies like transport, SIM, and discounted access to cultural sites and family attractions
- Luggage: When checking in, make sure to confirm whether your bags will go all the way to your final destination or if you’ll need to collect them in Abu Dhabi. This can depend on your layover duration and what’s most convenient for you.
Visit: Free STOP Over in Abu Dhabi.
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5. Air China (Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai,
Air China offers free transit accommodation (layover hotel stays) for eligible international passengers with long connection times in select cities, like Beijing (PEK) and Chengdu (CTU).
How It Works:
If you have a long layover (typically 6–24 hours) between international flights with Air China, you may qualify for a free hotel stay, including airport transfers and basic amenities.
Who’s Eligible:
- Ticket must be international → international or international → domestic (and vice versa)
- Layover must be between 6 to 24 hours
- Must be on Air China-operated flights only (not codeshare)
- Your booking must be confirmed—no standby or waiting lists
- You must not be eligible for visa-free transit exemption (in some cases)
What’s Included
- 1-night stay at a designated hotel
- Airport shuttle transfers
- Basic meals (in some cases)
- No hotel deposit required
Visit: China Airlines for more information.
6. China Southern Airlines (Guangzhou)
China Southern Airlines provides free transit accommodation for eligible international passengers transiting through Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) and a few other select cities.
If your layover is long enough and meets specific criteria, you could enjoy a complimentary hotel stay, including transfers and basic services—making your journey more comfortable and stress-free.
Who’s Eligible:
- You must be flying international → international, international → domestic, or domestic → international on China Southern Airlines-operated flights only
- Layover time must be between 8 to 48 hours (varies by route/class)
- You must not be able to connect to another flight on the same day
- Your ticket must be confirmed and issued in advance
- Not valid for unaccompanied minors or passengers requiring special care
What’s Included:
- 1-night hotel stay at a designated partner hotel
- Shuttle service to/from the airport
- Some packages include simple meals (depending on hotel and class of ticket)
- No hotel deposit required
How it works:
- Online Pre-Booking (recommended): Apply Here
Applications can typically be submitted 1–3 days before your transit. - At the Airport: If you didn’t book online, go to the China Southern Transit Accommodation Desk upon arrival for on-site assistance (subject to availability).
Tips:
- Business class and higher-tier Sky Pearl members get priority
- Transit accommodation is first-come, first-served, even if you pre-register
- A valid visa or eligibility for 24/72/144-hour visa-free transit is required to exit the airport
- Make sure your layover meets the minimum time requirement for your flight route
Online Pre-Booking (recommended): Apply Here
7. Hainan Airlines (China hubs)
Hainan Airlines offers complimentary transit hotels for eligible passengers transiting through several Chinese hub cities—with free transfers included.
If your layover is overnight (typically 6+ hours) and you meet the requirements, you can enjoy a restful stay without extra cost.
Who’s Eligible:
- Flying domestic or international, with connecting flights on Hainan Airlines—or partner airlines within the HNA Group
- Layover duration preferably overnight, generally 6–24 hours (domestic) or 6–30 hours (international)
- Must connect through one of the designated hubs, such as Beijing, Shanghai Pudong, Haikou, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Changsha, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Dalian, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Lanzhou, Hohhot, Guiyang, and others
- Applies to overnight stays only; if a shorter connection is available, the hotel won’t be provided
What’s Included:
- One free overnight hotel stay at a partner property
- Shuttle transfers between the airport and hotel
- Basic meals may be included depending on airport and ticket class
- No deposit required
How it works:
- Pre-book during flight reservation or via Hainan Airlines’ transit service page Visit: Hainan Airlines on how to book!
- Check at the transit assistance desk upon arrival—subject to availability
- Follow the transit process: immigration clearance, baggage claim, hotel transfer
Tips
- Priority to business-class passengers and elite-tier members, but economy passengers may also qualify if room is available
- Service is first-come, first-served—even if pre-registered
- A valid visa or eligibility for visa-free transit is required since you must pass through immigration
- Always confirm eligibility and book in advance during peak travel seasons
Visit: Hainan Airlines on how to book!
8. SriLankan Airlines (Colombo)
SriLankan Airlines provides complimentary transit hotel accommodations and meal vouchers for eligible passengers transiting through Colombo (Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport – CMB).
Who’s Eligible
- Tickets must be on SriLankan-operated flights with the same booking reference (no separate legs allowed)
- Must be transiting through CMB for 8 to 24 hours
- Minimum fare thresholds apply:
- 8–12 hours layover: fare + YQ must be at least USD 375 one-way or USD 750 return
- 12–24 hours layover: fare + YQ must be at least USD 390 one-way or USD 780 return
How it works:
Accommodation and vouchers are discretionary, not guaranteed
Eligible travelers must contact SriLankan Airlines (office, contact center, or agent) at least 48 hours before departure and present booking confirmation at the transfer desk in Colombo.
What’s Included
- Hotel accommodation for one night (for layovers between 8–24 hours)
- Meal vouchers or refreshment allowance during your layover
Important Notes
- Free accommodation is only available for through-booked flights—no fragmented itineraries
- A valid visa or ETA is required to exit the airport and use the accommodation
- Hotel and voucher availability is subject to airline discretion and may not be guaranteed during busy periods
- Always confirm eligibility and apply in advance, ideally at least 48 hours before departure
Visit: SriLankan Airlines Transit Hotel Information.
9. Ethiopia Airlines (Addis Ababa)
Ethiopian Airlines provides a free stopover package for eligible passengers with layovers in Addis Ababa (Bole International Airport – ADD), making it one of the few airlines offering a comprehensive transit experience in Africa.
Who’s Eligible
Layovers must be 8 to 24 hours, and both inbound and outbound flights must be on Ethiopian Airlines, booked under the same ticket. This applies to all cabins and ticket types—cash or award fares.
What’s Included
- A complimentary one-night stay, usually at the Skylight Hotel (either in-terminal or the main property)
- Free transit visa, valid for up to 24 hours
- Meals (dinner and breakfast) via vouchers
- Shuttle transfers between the airport and hotel
How to Access It
At check-in, you’ll receive vouchers for the hotel, meals, visa, and transport. If not, visit the transit/interline desk in Addis Ababa after immigration to claim them.
Tips & Details
- The Skylight Hotel is the main stopover accommodation; it’s one of Africa’s largest 5-star hotels with over 1,000 rooms
- No extra charge—despite occasional fare breakdowns, passengers report no additional cost
- If you prefer to explore, you can skip the shuttle and use a local guide or taxi
Visit: EthiopianAirlines to learn more and how to book.
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