How to book long layover flights for business travel
Business travel doesn’t always leave room for leisure. But for some savvy travelers, long layovers are changing that. It’s becoming more common for people to use long layovers to explore new cities, squeeze in extra meetings, or simply relax between flights. With a little planning, these longer breaks can add value and enjoyment to your trip.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how to plan for long layover flights, choose the right duration, and then book them effectively. If you’re looking to squeeze in a few hours of sightseeing or want a full day in another city, here’s how to make the most of your time between flights.
What’s a layover flight?
A layover flight is any flight itinerary that includes a stop between your departure and final destination. While a standard layover might be an hour or two, a long layover can last anywhere from six hours to several days.
Long layovers (known as stopover flights when they exceed 24 hours) are gaining popularity, especially with business travelers. They give you the chance to take a meeting in a secondary city, explore a new place without booking a separate trip, and get a good night of sleep between long-haul flights. They’re also a great way to reduce jet lag during international travel.
Types of layovers
Not all layovers are created equal. Depending on your schedule and goals, one type may suit you better than another.
Short-hour layovers
These are layovers that last between six and 12 hours. They’re ideal for short work sessions, a quick tour of the layover city (if it’s close to the airport), or catching up on rest at an airport lounge or hotel.
Example: As long as the train is running on schedule, a six-hour stop in Amsterdam gives you just enough time to grab dinner in the city center before your next flight.
Multi-day layovers
Some itineraries allow you to spend 24 hours or more in your stopover city, and with a bit of practice, you can figure out how to book a flight with a multi-day layover. This is a great way to mix business and leisure. You could meet friends for dinner in London one day and continue to your conference in Berlin the next.
Many business travelers use multi-day layovers to visit regional offices or explore potential markets without incurring the cost of an extra flight.
Airline layover programs
Some airlines encourage stopovers by offering free or low-cost hotel stays for long layovers. Airlines like Finnair, Icelandair, and Emirates have special programs that let you stay in cities like Helsinki, Reykjavik, or Dubai on your way to another destination.
For example, Icelandair offers a Stopover Buddy program where you can spend up to seven nights in Iceland before continuing to North America or Europe without paying a higher fare.
How to find and book flights with long layovers
There are several ways to find specific flights, like red-eyes or itineraries with long layovers. Here are a few smart options to explore.
Use business travel platforms
Platforms like Engine are built for business travelers. You can search for flights, hotels, and car rentals all in one place—plus sort by stopover options and policy-compliant fares. Engine makes it easy to compare multi-leg flights with layovers, find preferred hotels near the airport or city center, and organize your itinerary in one spot. It also lets you book flexibly, which is ideal for business changes.
Try the multi-city flight search option
Many airlines and flight search engines, like Google Flights and Skyscanner, offer a multi-city search tool. This tool lets you plan each leg of your trip instead of only looking at direct flights.
Example: If you’re flying from Boston to Bangkok, you can manually add a two-night stop in London. The platform will build your trip as one complete itinerary.
Choose layover-friendly airlines
Some airlines design their routes to include stopovers in hub cities. Turkish Airlines, Icelandair, and Emirates often promote these types of long layovers. They may even offer perks like transit tours, hotel discounts, or free shuttle services.
Check each airline’s website before booking. A quick search for the airline and “stopover program” will show you what’s available.
Book each flight separately if needed
Try booking flights separately if you can’t find what you want in one search. It’s a little more work, but it gives you control over stopover times and cities.
One word of caution: When booking on different airlines or platforms, your bags may not be checked through to the final destination, and you may need to leave the airport to re-check in. Make sure to give yourself enough time between flights.
What to consider when booking a layover
Here are a few things to consider when planning your itinerary to help your layover plans go smoothly.
Immigration and customs time
If your layover is in another country, you’ll likely need to go through immigration and customs, even if you’re not staying long. Depending on the airport and time of day, this can take a few minutes or several hours.
Pro tip: Research whether you’ll need a visa for your stopover country, even if you’re just transiting. Some places, like the U.S., require it.
Airport size and layout
Large airports like London Heathrow or Dubai International can take time to navigate. It’s not just walking distance—some connections may require shuttle buses or terminal changes.
Check maps and gate transfer information before you book, and avoid tight connections at large airports if you’re planning to leave the terminal.
Overbooking
Some airlines intentionally overbook flights, especially on popular routes. If your long layover involves multiple legs, getting bumped from one flight could throw off your whole itinerary. Make sure you have some buffer time built in and consider flights with flexible rebooking options in case things don’t go as planned.
Time of day and airport hours
Some airports close or reduce services late at night. If your layover starts at 11 p.m. and you’re hoping to leave the airport, make sure public transport is still running, or see if there’s a hotel available nearby. For example, Singapore’s Changi Airport offers 24-hour amenities, but public trains stop running around midnight.
Budget and cost considerations
Long layovers can be a great way to save on airfare, especially if you’re open to flexible routes. Flights with longer stopovers are often cheaper than direct flights or those with shorter connections.
That said, those savings can disappear quickly if you don’t factor in other costs. Consider accommodations during overnight layovers, transportation to and from the airport if you’re exploring the city, meals (especially if not covered by your airline or travel program), and baggage fees if you’re flying with different airlines on separate tickets.
Example: A round trip from New York to Bangkok might be $300 cheaper with a 20-hour stopover in Tokyo. But if you book a hotel and pay for ground transportation, the savings will shrink. Use a travel platform like Engine to compare total trip costs—not just the ticket price—before you book.
Travel goals and preferences
Do you want to rest, sightsee, or meet with a client? Use your goal to decide the best length and location for your layover. For example, if your business trip includes meetings in two nearby cities, consider booking a layover to handle both in one trip.
Business travel agenda
Check your calendar before planning a long stopover. An important 9 a.m. meeting doesn’t pair well with a 2 a.m. arrival, especially after a long layover. Build your itinerary around your top priorities.
Airline or booking policy restrictions
Some corporate travel programs don’t allow personal detours or non-direct flights. Check your company’s policy before adding extra stops—even if they don’t cost more. With Engine, you can apply your company’s policy filters to avoid flights that don’t meet the rules.
Book smarter long layovers with Engine
Long layovers don’t need to be a hassle—they’re a smart way to optimize your travel time. With the right planning, you can turn that 10-hour wait into a city stroll, a business lunch, or a good night’s sleep before the next leg of your trip.
Still not sure how to book stopover flights with long layovers? Platforms like Engine make it easier than ever to customize your full business itinerary. From multi-city routes to layover hotel bookings, Engine is built to simplify the process, letting you focus on the goals of your trip—not just getting from point A to point B.
Ready to turn your next layover into an opportunity? Book your business travel with Engine to make every stop count.
