Business travellers don’t prioritise sustainability – BCD survey

Sustainability was among the least important factors of influence on the air travel choices business travellers make, and two-thirds never or rarely take environmental considerations into account if they come at a higher cost, according to a new BCD Travel air travel survey, released on Tuesday (22 October).

Just 4 per cent of respondents indicated they take sustainability into consideration when booking flights. The top factors taken into consideration were arrival and departure time or flight duration (71 per cent), price (51 per cent) and their employer’s policy (49 per cent). 

Only 4 per cent indicated they select the flight that emits the least amount of carbon, and 4 per cent said they fly airlines that use sustainable aviation fuel.

BCD from 7-16 August surveyed 1,319 business travellers in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific who had taken a plane for business travel within the past 12 months.

“From our last buyer survey on travel policy, we saw that nearly a quarter of buyers rank making their policy more sustainable as a top priority,” BCD VP of sustainability Olivia Ruggles-Brise said in a statement. 

“However, this research shows that travellers themselves are not prioritising sustainability in the same way. Travel managers can influence their travellers’ behaviour through encouraging or mandating sustainable measures, which often go hand in hand with traveller wellness. Direct flights, for instance, are more sustainable and less stressful for travellers.”

Indeed, most respondents are taking actions that can help lessen carbon emissions: 66 per cent fly direct instead of connecting, and 47 per cent travel light and try to minimise luggage weight, according to the report. 

One-third visit several business locations in a single trip, while 29 per cent refill their own water bottles at the airport and one-quarter use public transportation to get to or from the airport.

Traveller satisfaction

About one-third each of respondents were either extremely satisfied (32 per cent) or somewhat satisfied (35 per cent) with their employer’s air policy, with 13 per cent either somewhat or extremely dissatisfied. 

The numbers are slightly higher for satisfaction with choice of preferred airlines: 38 per cent were extremely satisfied and 36 per cent somewhat satisfied, while 10 per cent were somewhat or extremely dissatisfied. 

When asked what challenges they experienced when booking air, 30 per cent said “none,” the answer with the highest response. But it was followed closely at 29 per cent with dissatisfaction about extra services not being covered or needing approval, while 20 per cent cited “user unfriendly” booking tools. 

For the airline side, business travellers are most upset with delays (69 per cent), inconvenient flight times (48 per cent), uncomfortable seats (43 per cent) and cancellations (39 per cent). 

Nearly one-third (32 per cent) cited no room for carry-on baggage in overhead bins as a situation experienced when flying for business, and 27 per cent noted technical issues with the aircraft when boarding.

Air buying patterns

About 37 per cent of respondents purchase the cheapest available air option, while 28 per cent opt for fully refundable and flexible tickets or partially refundable tickets and changes that come with a fee (22 per cent). Nearly one-fifth (18 per cent) buy nonrefundable tickets with no changes allowed.

The top ancillary services purchased are checked luggage (51 per cent), seat selection (48 per cent) and carry-on luggage (34 per cent).

Trip patterns

Nearly one in four (39 per cent) respondents take business trips that last two to three days, with 36 per cent taking trips lasting four to six days and 10 per cent taking trips of seven to 13 days. Only 3 per cent fly for one-day trips. One-third take both domestic and international trips. 

For short-haul service, 88 per cent of respondents fly economy. For long-haul travel, 48 per cent fly economy, 19 per cent opt for premium economy and 31 per cent fly business class.