Do airlines have to give you a hotel for a long layover?

If you're short on time, here's a quick answer: Yes, some airlines do provide hotel accommodations for long layovers or when unforeseen delays or cancellations happen. However, it's not a universal practice and policies vary significantly between airlines.



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In many airports, the answer is yes. However, there are airports that close at night and other airports that simply do not permit/like airport sleepers and are openly hostile. We suggest you visit the airport guide for the airport you are inquiring about.

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Most airlines only provide free hotel accommodations for passengers that have a layover between 8-12 hours or overnight. However, each airline is different, so be sure to check your carrier's website. Some airlines like Air Canada, Hainan, and XiamenAir allow for layovers over 6 hours.

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If your layover exceeds a certain length (typically between 8 to 12 hours), Go Ahead will book and cover the cost of a hotel room for you to relax or sleep in for the full duration of your connection while you wait for your next flight. We refer to these as dayrooms and overnight layovers.

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While some airlines do offer accommodations for flight delays, there are exceptions to the rule. Certain circumstances, such as weather-related delays or air traffic control issues, may exempt airlines from providing hotel accommodations.

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Yes, flight attendants are typically reimbursed for their hotel stays when they have to stay overnight. Airlines usually provide a per diem rate that covers the cost of meals and lodging while away from home.

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“Standard layovers are usually up to four hours on domestic flights and up to 24 hours on international flights,” explains William J. McGee, Senior Fellow for Aviation at the American Economic Liberties Project, noting that they are most common at hub airports.

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How long does a layover need to be to leave the airport? Because layovers are your choice, you can leave whenever you like, but seasoned travelers, including McGee, seldom leave airports for less than six hours. After all, airports themselves aren't usually in bustling, interesting areas.

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If your layover is more than 8/9 hours, it is suggested to book a transit hotel where you can sit, relax and take a nap. Instead of roaming around the airport, you can have a relaxing time in the hotel.

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Book yourself into a transfer hotel Many large airports have transfer hotels that are made for weary travelers with long layovers. Some transfer hotels are located inside security, negating the need to allow for extra time. Others are located land-side requiring you to go through security an extra time.

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It is important to note that a layover does not exceed a duration of 24 hours. Anything longer than 24 hours is considered a stopover. A stopover is when a traveller intentionally pauses their journey in a connecting city or country for more than 24 hours before continuing to their final destination.

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What is a good connection time? Travel advisers say there's a lot to take into account when booking connecting flights, but a general rule of thumb is 60-90 minutes between domestic flights and at least two to three hours for international itineraries.

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The Cost of Airport Sleeping Pods For instance, NapCabs, one of the providers of airport sleeping pods, offers their pods at an average price ranging from 10 to 15 EUR per hour. Go Sleep Pods, another well-known option, has an average price range of 10 to 15 USD per hour.

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You can stay overnight and sleep at 24-hour airport lounges, as long as they don't have any rules on how long you stay. Many airport lounges close at night or limit access to just a few hours before your flight. Go to your airport lounge program's website to review hours and rules at the lounge you want to visit.

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What to do during a long layover
  • Escape the airport on your own to explore the city.
  • Take an organized tour of the city.
  • Book yourself into a transfer hotel.
  • Try out the local cuisine.
  • Indulge in the comfort food you've been avoiding.
  • Take a shower.
  • Phone a friend.
  • Find a meditation room.


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“Hidden city ticketing,” or booking a flight with the intention of getting off at the layover city rather than the final destination, is perfectly legal, but there are some factors to consider before making it a habit. According to Business Insider, hidden city ticketing is a sneaky way to save money.

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Make your layover longer, and you've got time to sightsee and exercise between flights. The beauty of an overnight stay, as opposed to a long daytime connection, is that you don't have to figure out where to store your luggage while you explore the city. Just drop it at your hotel.

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If your layover is more than 8/9 hours, it is suggested to book a transit hotel where you can sit, relax and take a nap. Instead of roaming around the airport, you can have a relaxing time in the hotel.

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While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A layover is the time you spend at the airport between two flights. A connecting flight is the next flight in your itinerary that you're waiting at the airport to take.

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You can stay overnight and sleep at 24-hour airport lounges, as long as they don't have any rules on how long you stay. Many airport lounges close at night or limit access to just a few hours before your flight.

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How Long Can You Stay In an Airport Before the Flight? If you're planning on waiting for your flight in the landside area (accessible to the public), you can usually wait there for as long as you want to and even sleep overnight. It's very common for people to do that, especially for very early flights.

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Expect to Get Woken Up by Security Some airports crackdown on overnight sleepers more than others, so don't be surprised if security rouses you before your alarm goes off. Be ready to show your boarding pass and explain your situation.

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Flight attendants may have hours or even days between flights to travel and see local attractions. Some airlines also allow flight attendants to earn additional mileage or flight benefits. This means many flight attendants can fly for free on their company airlines even when they are not working.

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