Many readers know that certain airlines provide a stopover option. This means that through the carrier’s website, customers can book a layover for several days, which includes both flights with no extra costs for the stay at the hub. In this article, we will first look at what the Portuguese flag carrier TAP Air Portugal offers before looking at other notable stopover programs worldwide.
Connecting the world to South America via Portugal
In a statement released last December, TAP announced that in January and September 2023, Brazil was the most popular destination that benefited from the carrier’s stopover program, with around 50% of all users flying to the South American destination via Lisbon.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
TAP Air Portugal’s Stopover program attracted more than 83,000 passengers from Brazil to Europe. The Brazilian market is the primary user of this program, with more than 83,000 passengers choosing to stay in Portugal for up to ten days during the first nine months of the year. This partnership between TAP and Turismo de Portugal allows the company’s passengers to discover the Southern European destination as part of their overall itinerary.
The Portuguese flag carrier’s program includes a 25% discount on a flight within Portugal to discover places like Porto and the North, the Algarve, or the autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores, using a promotional code that can be used on theTAP websiteor at travel agencies. They can also benefit from exclusive offers and discounts from more than 150 partners. According toupgradedpoints, the stopover program allows passengers to stay up to 10 days in Portugal before heading to a second destination.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
TAP Air Portugal’s Stopover program is mainly aimed at the company’s long-haul markets, namely Brazil and the United States. But other destinations are also eligible.
2023 was the fifth consecutive year the program was voted the best Stopover program by Global Traveler magazine at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards
Some of the airline’s destinations in Brazil include São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belém, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Natal, Maceió, Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador. This year, the number of rotations to the country is expected to rise to 91 flights a week, an average of 13 a day, making TAP the most critical international airline linking Brazil to Europe.
Photo: Matheus Obst | Shutterstock
They also grew their network elsewhere in the Americas, with four additional weekly flights toToronto Pearson(YYZ), getting up to 14 weekly flights. Montréal (YUL) also gets a sixth weekly rotation this summer for 20 flights between the two countries.
Speaking exclusively to Simple Flying in aprevious article, Carlos Antunes, TAP Air Portugal’s Director for the Americas, noted how the carrier is focusing on growing its transatlantic network:
“We used to have Miami, Newark, and JFK, and that was it. In the last six to seven years, we’ve built our network in the United States, but in a way that we now have San Francisco, Chicago, Washington Dulles, Toronto, and Montreal. It was over 20 years since we did not fly to Canada, so it’s a new landmark for TAP in North America.”
If you want to know what flying with them is like, check out this video.
Inside TAP Air Portugal’s North American Expansion
Simple Flying talks to TAP Air Portugal’s Director for the Americas, Carlos Antunes, about the airline’s stopover package, loyalty, and privatization.
Other airlines offer stopovers
TAP is not the only airline offering its clients the opportunity to take a break during their trip and explore the carrier’s home country. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable ones.
Icelandair
The flag carrier of the Nordic country connects Europe with North America thanks to its unique location. Iceland is known worldwide as one of the prime locations to see the Northern lights during the long winter nights. Travelers can indulge in long hikes throughout the Icelandic mountain ranges during the summer. You can even bathe innatural hot tubs!
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
Trip Review: Icelandair’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 Trip From London Heathrow To Keflavik International
The flight was smooth and the landing in Keflavik had one of the best approximations ever, with winter clear blue skies and a fantastic snowy view.
Etihad
The Emirati flag carrier also lets passengers take part in their stopover program. They offer two stopover packages :
- Amazing stopover: which includes a stay in one of Abu Dhabi’s three-star hotel partners, like Premier Inn.
- Premium stopover: This consists of a stay in a four or five-star hotel partner like Grand Hyatt.
Photo : M101Studio | Shutterstock
Some of the things to see in Abu Dhabi include the Mosque for those seeking to discover Arabic culture or Ferrari World for those wanting a day out full of thrills and rides.
Flight Review: Etihad Airways’ (Re)Inaugural Airbus A380 Flight From London Heathrow In Business Class
There was plenty of celebration to mark the return of Etihad’s Airbus A380!
Iberia
The Spanish flag carrier offers its customers the possibility to have a free stopover in the nation’s capital, Madrid. This is particularly useful as, much like TAP in neighboring Portugal, the airline has a vast route network throughout South America.
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When stopping in Madrid, you must see the famous Retiro Park. If you are a soccer fan, you must also try to get a tour of the Real Madrid stadium.
Flight Review: Iberia Airbus A350 ‘Next’ Business Class From Buenos Aires To Madrid
Simple Flying was invited by Iberia to experience the new cabin after seeing the unveiling in Madrid.
Bottom line
TAP Air Portugal offers an advantageous stopover program for customers wanting to break their journey between Europe and the Americas. And with a growing network, they may become an attractive choice for those wishing to cross the Atlantic. But they are far from the only one. Airlines located in strategic locations like Icelandair or Etihad also have their own programs. Exploring another country and including it in your ticket is always a nice perk, regardless of who you book with.
Have you done a free stopover before? How was it? Let us know in the comments.
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