Glossary · At the airport
What is a stopover?
A stopover is a longer, intentional stop on a multi-leg journey — long enough to leave the airport and spend time, sometimes overnight or several days, in the connecting city. Some airlines offer free stopover programmes so you can visit a hub city on the way.
The line between a layover and a stopover is usually a set number of hours (often 24), after which a connection counts as a stopover — which can affect the fare and whether you collect your baggage.
Related terms
Updated July 2, 2026
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