Turn Your Transit Into Travel: Top Airline Stopover Programs From Canada in 2026

If you’re flying internationally from Canada this year, there’s a world of extra adventure waiting between flights.

Rather than just passing through airports on your way to a final destination, some airlines let you extend a connection into a real mini vacation, often without raising your base airfare and sometimes with free or discounted perks. 

Stopovers can turn a long travel day into two trips for the price of one. In this guide we break down how the following five airlines handle stopovers in 2026, where they fly from Canada, how long you can stay, and any cost or perks you should know about.

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Firstly, what is a stopover?

A stopover is different from a layover. A layover is a short airport connection that keeps you stuck in transit. A stopover is typically a planned break of one or more days along your flight route that lets you leave the airport and explore a new city.

Depending on the airline, stopovers can be:

• Free on your base ticket (no extra airfare)
• Bundled with free hotel nights
• Discounted hotel, tours, or activities
• Valid for a set number of days (from 1 night to a week or more)

Not every airline offers these perks, but the ones below do.

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Stopover 1: Icelandair — Reykjavík, Iceland

If you’re heading to Europe, Icelandair is one of the classic stopover options. The airline pioneered what we now think of as an official stopover program. 

Where it flies from Canada
Icelandair operates flights from major Canadian gateways like Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), and Halifax (YHZ) into Reykjavík (KEF) and onward to many points in Europe. 

Stopover details

• Duration: 1 to 7 days in Iceland on qualifying transatlantic flights. 
• Cost: None.
• Perks: Full flexibility to explore Iceland. You can add activities like geothermal baths and waterfall tours.

This makes Reykjavík more than just a connection. It becomes a destination, whether you’re en route to Spain, Switzerland, or Scandinavia.

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Stopover 2: Turkish Airlines — Istanbul, Turkey

Flying Turkish Airlines west-east through Istanbul opens up one of the most generous stopover programs for Canada travellers. 

Where it flies from Canada
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), and Vancouver (YVR) to Istanbul (IST) as part of its global network. 

Stopover details

• Duration: Eligible connections with 20 hours to 7 days in Istanbul. 
• Cost: None.
• Perks (if you qualify):
  • Economy class passengers can get 1-2 free nights in a 4-star hotel. 
  • Business class passengers can get 2-3 free nights in a 5-star hotel.
    • You must apply for the stopover accommodation before travel. 

Istanbul has so much to offer that this type of stopover often feels like an entire European vacation within your holiday.

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Stopover 3: TAP Air Portugal — Lisbon, Portugal

TAP Portugal’s stopover program is consistently ranked among the most traveller-friendly in Europe.

Where it flies from Canada
TAP Air Portugal flys from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) into Lisbon (LIS) and onward to many points in Europe. 

Stopover details

• Duration: Up to 10 days in Lisbon.
• Cost: None.
• Perks:
  • Discounts and special offers with tourism partners for tours, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. 
  • 25 percent off domestic flights within Portugal to explore more cities. 

This program gives you real flexibility for a mini European tour before continuing to your final destination.

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Stopover 4: Qatar Airways — Doha, Qatar

Qatar Airways’ stopover program isn’t completely free, but it’s one of the most accessible for long-haul travellers. 

Where it flies from Canada
Qatar Airways operates flights from Toronto (YYZ) and Montreal (YUL) to Doha (DOH) and onwards to Asia, Africa, and Oceania. 

Stopover details

• Duration: Typically 1 to 4 nights. 
• Cost: None.
• Perks:
  • Discounted hotel stays are available. Prices start very low at $14USD/night, depending on the hotel and package you choose.
  • Easy transit visa arrangements for many nationalities and the chance to explore Doha’s museums, markets, and skyline. 

While the hotel options are not free, the combination of accessible pricing and extra nights makes this a strong choice for a Middle East side trip.

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Stopover 5: Iberia — Madrid, Spain

Iberia’s official Hola Madrid stopover lets travellers add up to a week in Spain’s capital without extra base airfare. 

Where it flies from Canada
As of June 2026, Iberia will operate flights from Toronto (YYZ) to Madrid (MAD), one of the main European gateways for Iberia’s network. 

Stopover details

• Duration: Up to 9 days on qualifying tickets. 
• Cost: None.
• Perks: Some tourism discounts and benefits with local partners in Madrid. 

Madrid’s rich history and ingredients-first culinary scene make it an ideal bonus stop before you continue deeper into Europe or beyond.

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The Bottom Line

Stopovers are one of the best travel hacks for Canadians heading abroad in 2026. Rather than pass through a destination, you can visit it for the same base airfare and with perks like hotel nights, discounts, and experiences included. 

Whether you want a Nordic adventure in Reykjavík, cultural immersion in Istanbul, a coastal city break in Lisbon, a taste of Doha’s modern charm, or a mini-holiday in Madrid, these stopovers can turn one flight into two memorable cities.

Just make sure to check each airline’s eligibility rules and book your stopover when you reserve your flights!