Long layovers and connecting flights are common while traveling abroad, but did you know that some airlines now provide complimentary hotel stays to make those waits more comfortable?
The days of spending hours stuck at an airport terminal are long gone.
Several foreign airlines have extended their passenger benefits to include free hotel stays for stays longer than a predetermined amount of time.
The period spent waiting between planes on a single itinerary is called a layover.
Depending on travel schedules, layovers might last anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours overnight.
The majority of travelers fear spending thirty minutes stuck in an airport with no amenities.
Nonetheless, several airlines try to minimize passenger inconvenience and recognize that layovers are necessary.
Leading Middle Eastern airlines Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways set the standard by providing hotel rooms for layovers longer than six to eight hours, subject to availability.
All travelers have to do to check into the hotel is show their ID and airline confirmation.
Free rooms are offered to visitors, enabling them to sleep comfortably rather than in discomfort.
Beyond the Middle East, carriers such as Ethiopian Airlines, Air China, Air Canada, and Singapore Airlines have implemented generous layover policies.
Layovers of 8-12 hours are eligible for hotel accommodations, providing a welcome alternative to tense airport waiting.
South Asian carriers such as Sri Lankan and Gulf Air provide overnight accommodations for layovers that last into the small hours.
European airlines such as TAP Portugal, Finnair, Icelandair, and Royal Air Maroc have a similar passenger-friendly strategy on long-haul flights that connect through their hubs.
Japan Airlines, Oman Air, and Royal Jordanian also implement similar stopover reduction schemes.
Even multinational airlines like British Airways and Xiamen Air provide complimentary relaxation during long layovers to assist passengers avoid jet lag.
As international travel grows in popularity, airlines recognize that tiny pleasures make a significant difference in customer satisfaction.
Check out our blog post on the top 5 things to do in Dubai for more things to add to your itinerary!
