Can you get off at a stopover?

The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.



Yes, you can get off at a stopover, but there is a vital technical distinction between a "layover" and a "stopover." A layover is a connection that lasts less than 24 hours for international flights (or 4 hours for domestic), and while you can leave the airport to explore the city, your bags are typically checked through to your final destination, and you must return to catch your next flight. A stopover is a stay of more than 24 hours that is intentionally built into your ticket. In 2026, many airlines like Icelandair, TAP Air Portugal, and Emirates offer "Free Stopover" programs where you can stay in their hub city (Reykjavik, Lisbon, or Dubai) for several days at no extra airfare cost. However, you cannot simply "decide" to get off at a layover point and never return to the plane (a practice called "Hidden City Ticketing") without consequences; if you skip the final leg of your journey, the airline will likely cancel your return ticket and may even revoke your frequent flyer miles. If you have a legitimate stopover booked, you simply clear customs, collect your bags, and enjoy the city as if it were your destination.

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The short answer is yes. It is possible to exit and reenter the airport. Whether or not you should depends on a range of factors, including if you're traveling internationally or domestically and how much time you have between flights.

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But skiplagging is controversial, and many airlines frown upon it – so much that it can be punishable by miles or status cancellations and even a lifetime ban from the airline.

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If an airline finds out what you are doing, it could simply cancel your ticket or even ban you from flying with it. That's what reportedly happened recently to a North Carolina teen who booked an American Airlines flight from Florida to New York but disembarked at his Charlotte connection.

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While not illegal, intentionally skipping segments on an itinerary does almost always violates airlines' contracts of carriage. For example, American's contract of carriage says this: Reservations made to exploit or circumvent fare and ticket rules are prohibited.

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Technically, no, skiplagging isn't illegal. You're not breaking any laws by doing it. You won't get arrested or face legal action from authorities for using this strategy. But, most airlines ban the practice in their terms and conditions, which everyone agrees to when they purchase a ticket.

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It's highly unlikely you'd face any repercussions if you do it once, but if you make it a habit or the airline sees an egregious pattern of hidden city ticketing, there could penalties from the airline, like losing your frequent flyer points.

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If you are flying within the USA and have no checked baggage to a final destination, then skipping the final leg of a journey is usually fine. There's no penalty for cancelling (as the missed leg is the end of your trip), and you can just leave the flight with hand luggage without any worries.

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Stopover rules vary by airline, but are essentially longer layovers — at least 24 hours in length. Layovers, meanwhile, are connections less than a day in length depending on if you're flying domestically or internationally. Open-jaw flights are a whole different beast.

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Booking a flight with a stopover is therefore a good alternative to see several countries in one trip. Take advantage of a stopover to visit places that are either not worth a whole trip or you don't have the time, but you still want to see them.

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Airline stopovers offer the chance to see an additional city, and come with free hotel stays, sightseeing discounts, and other perks. There's no doubt that international airfares have gotten more expensive.

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No, you cannot skip the first leg of any itinerary. As stated above, after you've skipped a flight, all remaining flight legs on your itinerary will be canceled by the airline. It may seem silly, but this is a common mistake many infrequent travelers make.

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Throwaway ticketing is purchasing a ticket with the intent to use only a portion of the included travel. This situation may arise when a passenger wants to travel only one way, but where the discounted round-trip excursion fare is cheaper than a one-way ticket.

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Skiplagging, also known as hidden city ticketing, is when an air traveler buys a ticket for a flight with a layover before the final destination and departs at the layover airport.

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To do this, he advises checking in online or via an app, instead of going to a kiosk at the airport. Then, unless it is something urgent, it's better to 'avoid speaking to airline staff' for the entirety of the journey.

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Although there is no law against utilizing a hacker fare to get to a city, they do come with a balance of risk and reward. By flying on a hidden city ticket, travelers can save significant amounts of money on their trips.

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American Airlines accuses the company Skiplagged of illegally selling its tickets to customers and using “unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices” in the process. The lawsuit comes just a few weeks after American Airlines made national headlines when it caught a teen apparently planning to use the tactic.

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The airline will most likely cancel the remaining portion of your trip. So, if you have a return leg, it will be cancelled. If you're a frequent flier, and do this often, the airline could ban you, or take away your points.

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