TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Spending time in airports waiting for the next flight can be quite arduous, and long layovers can be a nightmare for some. Fortunately, several airlines offer programs that turn layovers into stopovers at no additional cost.

Icelandair, for example, offers travelers flying from New York to London a free stopover in Reykjavik for up to a week. Here is a list of five international airlines that offer free hotels and vacations for stopover passengers.

1. Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways introduces a free hotel stopover program in Abu Dhabi. Passengers with connecting flights through Abu Dhabi can take a break in the city and extend their stay by up to two days and enjoy up to two free hotel nights in the city.

2. Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines boasts one of the most generous stopover programs. Business class passengers are entitled to three free nights in five-star hotels in Istanbul, while economy class passengers are entitled to two free nights in four-star hotels.

3. Ethiopian Airline

When traveling on Ethiopian Airlines via Addis Ababa, passengers can avail themselves of a free night in a hotel in the city for layovers between eight and 24 hours. Although Addis Ababa may not be a popular tourist destination, travelers have the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the city's culture.

4. EgyptAir

Egypt Air also provides a free one-night hotel stay in Cairo. To take advantage of this offer, passengers must book an international flight with a transit time of more than eight hours, but on the shortest connection available. So passengers cannot book a flight with a 24-hour layover if one with only a two-hour layover is available.

When disembarking in Cairo, passengers will be directed to the transfer office and will receive a free hotel voucher and a free transit visa.

5. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways extends free hotels in Doha for travelers with layovers of up to 24 hours, as long as shorter connections are unavailable. Additionally, the airline has the Qatar Stopover program, enabling passengers to book a multi-day stopover in Doha at no extra cost and discounted hotel rates. Travelers can stay up to four nights at a four-star hotel in the city for just US$14 or Rp224,000 per night through the airline's program.

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