MENA Airlines Stopover Guide 2026: How to Maximise a Long Layover

Saudi Arabia: Seamless Stopovers 

Saudia Airlines: Saudia’s digital framework makes booking frictionless. Available to citizens of over 60 eligible nations, the Stopover Transit eVisa initiative links a complimentary eVisa directly to your Passenger Name Record (PNR). 

It permits a maximum 96-hour stay (4 days) in hubs such as Riyadh or Jeddah and inherently includes mandatory medical insurance. Eligible bookings made at least 48 hours in advance can also unlock one free hotel night, although how eligibility is determined remains undisclosed. Uniquely, the visa explicitly allows passengers to perform the Umrah pilgrimage. 

As Captain Ibrahim Koshy, the former CEO of Saudia, noted regarding the airline’s integrated stopover programme,  “The launch of this innovative and seamless stopover visa is the first of its kind in the aviation industry and a significant milestone in our digital transformation programme. It is a testament to Saudia’s commitment to supporting the Kingdom’s strategic goal of reaching 100 million visits by 2030”

Flynas: The airline also allows “free-of-charge” stopovers, but hotels and medical insurance need to be booked separately at your own cost.

Etihad Airways: Free Stays & Stopover Pass 

Etihad ensures your Abu Dhabi layover is worry-free. Through the Abu Dhabi Stopover Programme, eligible passengers receive up to two complimentary hotel nights in either the heart of Abu Dhabi city or the relative calm of Al Ain. 

Operational highlights include a guaranteed 24/7 check-in policy and a municipal Stopover Pass offering a free 10GB eSIM. From the beginning of July, Etihad also automatically includes comprehensive medical travel insurance for eligible tickets. 

However, bookings made through travel agents or online travel agencies (OTAs) are explicitly excluded, so you must book directly through Etihad’s channels. Additionally, you are entirely responsible for securing your own UAE visa.

Dubai: Complimentary Dubai Connect & Discounted Stays

Emirates: Operating exclusively from Dubai International Airport (DXB) Terminal 3, Emirates has a dual strategy. 

For unavoidable layovers of 6 to 26 hours, the Dubai Connect scheme provides complimentary accommodation, meals, and a prearranged visa, with eligibility depending on the route, fare type, and availability. For voluntary transit, the Dubai Experience offers highly discounted hotels with 24-hour check-in alignment and flight discounts. 

Flydubai: Operating flights from Terminal 2, it has its own stopover program offering a free 24-hour hotel stay. However, meals, transfers, upgrades, and incidental charges are not included.

Qatar Airways: Premium Hospitality with Up to 4 Nights in Doha

Qatar Airways exploits Doha’s premium hospitality infrastructure. For transit times of at least 12 hours, the Discover Qatar programme offers heavily subsidised hotel tiers, from 4-star standard rooms to all-inclusive beach access. The maximum stay allowed is four nights. 

While 24-hour check-in guarantees logistical alignment, the standard packages are booked on a strict room-only basis and exclude incidentals. Expect uncompromising inventory management, including complete programme blackouts during sovereign mega-events like the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.

Gulf Air: STPC Programme Unpacked

Bahrain’s national carrier offers complimentary hotel accommodation for up to 2 nights under their Stopover Paid by Carrier (STPC) programme. The ticket value must be at least USD 450 (including ticket fare and carrier-imposed charges). Stopover packages include accommodation, airport transfers, complimentary city tours, and no visa fees.

The layover must be between 7 and 24 hours on the absolute shortest available connection. However, your entry to the Kingdom of Bahrain is at the sole discretion of the Ministry of Interior at the time of arrival. Passengers who do not qualify will be provided with up to two meal vouchers for connections of up to 12 hours. 

If the value of your purchased ticket is less than the required USD 450, you can contact the airline up to 24 hours before departure to book your Stopover for a fee of USD 90 per adult and within 24 hours of departure for a fee of USD 110.

Oman Air: Heritage Tourism Transit in Muscat

Favouring authentic heritage tourism, Oman Air’s Visit Oman initiative facilitates bespoke tours. Guests can book a 1 to 3-night stopover in Oman. Rather than offering free rooms, negotiated discounted rates bundle daily breakfast, hotel taxes, and VAT. 

However, the pricing is dynamic, subjecting travellers to punitive surcharges during peak seasons. Importantly, there is no digital visa integration; you must secure entry independently without airline assistance.

Royal Jordanian: Basic Stays & Tour Add-Ons

Royal Jordanian provides standard operational Transit Accommodation, including a basic hotel and meals for layovers of at least 8 hours for Economy Class (or 6 hours for Crown Class), up to a maximum of 24 hours. To qualify, you must hold a non-promotional Economy or Business Class ticket on an RJ-marketed and operated flight and be on the first available connection.

Guided tours to sites such as Petra or the Dead Sea can be booked through RJ Holidays after purchasing a multi-city flight, or at the airport transit desk upon arrival.

Note: Promotional tickets, domestic flights within Jordan, and regional flights within the Middle East and North Africa are ineligible.

While airside stays of under 24 hours are visa-free, Royal Jordanian transit packages require exiting the airport, thus requiring an entry visa. Many travellers can get a Visa on Arrival for $56 USD (40 JOD), but restricted nationalities must use the Ministry of Interior portal in advance. 

All visa fees are the traveller’s responsibility. Check Royal Jordanian Travel Requirements for specific details before your trip.

EgyptAir: Analogue Stopover Processing

EgyptAir provides value for budget travellers transiting through Egypt’s international airports. Passengers on international itineraries with forced layovers of a minimum of 6-8 hours are entitled to a  layover service, which includes meals and complimentary 4 or 5-star accommodation, depending on cabin class.

Those wishing to stay up to 96 hours (4 days) can access a free 96-hour transit visa program. The program is exclusive to those flying EgyptAir, Air Cairo, or Nile Air.

However, the process remains entirely analogue. You cannot book this service digitally in advance; it requires physical processing at the Cairo transfer desk. You must also be eligible for a visa on arrival or hold a valid Egyptian entry visa.

The Future of Transit: Digital Borders & Unified Visas

By replacing administrative hurdles with seamless digital visas, curated city passes, and high-value hospitality, Middle Eastern airlines have upgraded the transit narrative. In 2026, a well-planned stopover can be a highlight of the global travel experience, not just an inconvenience to endure.

Being aviation’s global hub, the whole region needs to take it to the next level with total operational synchronicity. The digital standards of the leading airlines must become the regional baseline. Removing analogue bottlenecks and visa friction in legacy hubs will prevent bureaucratic delays from disrupting the travel experience.

Carriers could go even further by using predictive AI to deliver hyper-personalised curation and even enable unified MENA travel. The GCC is already pursuing this through a “One-Stop” border system and the Unified Tourist Visa to create a “Single Gulf Sky.” With the infrastructure in place, the goal is a borderless, interconnected experience for global explorers.