Of course, comparison is not always reason. At a time when we scrutinise every plane journey to assess the benefit/carbon impact ratio, it's better to have all the cards in hand to assess the relevance of an alternative, if one exists. Visit decree ratifying theban on (some) domestic flights is a logical next step. Navan's launch of the Train Vs Plane functionality as well. In the wake of this official announcement, the business travel solution announced the arrival of a new comparator enabling travellers to identify a viable rail alternative when looking for a flight. And if the choice of train does not meet the user's expectations, they can simply go back and continue booking their flight.
Now available to all Navan users, the Train Vs Plane feature adds a much-needed new dimension to the Navan suite. Navan SustainabilitySince the end of 2022, it has been possible to inform travellers of their carbon emissions at the time of booking.
Of course, Navan's managers intend to capitalise on changes in the French regulatory framework, but also on a possible snowball effect at European level. " As more and more short-haul flight bans are imposed across Europe, Navan is staying one step ahead by ensuring we have the right offer, combined with the most comprehensive self-service functionality for our customers. "says Stéphanie Weaver, Director of Rail Partnerships at Navan.
With this new tool, Navan aims to inform and even educate travellers to reduce their carbon footprint. But by putting them on the right track where possible, the solution should also enable them to make substantial savings. A time saving firstly because, as its managers point out, " In a world where time and resources are often limited, travellers strive to make better decisions, but often find it difficult to compare and research alternative options. By integrating "Trains vs. Planes" into the booking process, Navan ensures that sustainability remains a priority for its customers, informing them of the different options available to them and simplifying the booking process, saving valuable time and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. ". It also saves money. According to data published by Navan, " Despite rising air and rail fares, choosing rail over air saves an average of 92.3 euros per booking ".
Despite the density of the network, the Europe's railways still need to make progress to really compete with air travel between business destinations. A recent report published by the European Commission, entitled "How fast are train journeys between EU cities and is rail faster than air travel? In particular, the study estimated that on 297 routes served by both rail and a direct flight, rail travel is faster on only 68 of them.
