In terms ofenvironmentthere are the great speeches, the good resolutionsthe greenwashing and the reality on the ground. The field of business travel is no exception. While all the business travel players are more or less openly involved in eco-responsible initiatives, travellers remain... "pragmatic". And when it comes to booking their flight, environmental issues are still a long way from influencing travellers' choices.
BCD Travel surveyed over 1,300 business travellers, focusing on their behaviour, their reasons for satisfaction and their annoyances. The results are clear: two-thirds of travellers admit that they never or rarely take environmental factors into account if sustainable choices entail a higher cost. In addition, only 16 % of respondents are trying to travel less.
Those who believe that the glass is half full will note, however, that according to the authors of the report, ".When it comes to sustainability, the most common behaviour adopted by travellers is to choose direct flights (66 %)". It remains to be seen whether this flight plan is really motivated by environmental considerations or simply practical ones. And whether the type of aircraft used for this direct flight really does make it a more responsible option. The study also points out that "very few travellers choose flights with the lowest carbon emissions"Nevertheless, as we sensed at the end of the health crisis, the time has come for travellers to pool their resources. Three out of ten travellers would visit several destinations on the same trip. What's more, day trips seem to be coming off the radar: according to BCD Travel, the majority of travellers take planes for trips lasting between two and six days. Only 3 % fly for day trips.
Olivia Ruggles-Brise, Vice President of Sustainability at BCD, points to a gap between the objectives of travel managers and the behaviour of travellers: " In our latest survey of buyers on travel policy, we found that almost a quarter of buyers consider making their policy more sustainable to be a priority. However, this survey shows that travellers themselves do not prioritise sustainability in the same way. Travel managers can influence their travellers' behaviour by encouraging or imposing sustainable measures, which often go hand in hand with travellers' well-being. For example, direct flights are more sustainable and less stressful for travellers. Although they may cost more, direct flights generate fewer emissions than flights with stopovers. On the other hand, although business class is more comfortable for travellers, it may not be the most sustainable option. Prioritising only essential journeys and choosing business class for these may strike the right balance, benefiting both travellers' well-being and sustainability. ".
Unsurprisingly, the two pillars of travel booking remain the convenience and the price. And to lay the foundations for a practical trip, even before thinking about on-board service, it is the timetable that business travellers consult. For BCD, "the main influencing factor is the time of arrival/departure or the duration of the flightAccording to 71 % of respondents, and the employer's travel policy influences 49 % of them". Secondly, to ensure greater comfort, there is no shortage of options, with the fragmentation of service introduced by airlines via the ancillary costs. According to TMC, almost half of business travellers pay to select their seat. "Priority boarding, extra legroom and fast passage through security are other popular ancillary services."say the authors of the report. As for flexibility, half of all travellers opt for fully or partially refundable tickets.
" A travel policy has the potential to significantly influence employee well-being and satisfaction "Teri Miller, Executive Vice President, Global Customer Team, BCD. " Adding additional services provided by the company, such as priority boarding or lounge access, can make business trips more pleasant and less stressful for employees. Allowing flexible working hours, teleworking or time off after a business trip can also help employees readjust when they return. ".
As for the priceAccording to BCD Travel, it remains a "decisive factor, with four out of ten travellers choosing the cheapest option, regardless of the cancellation or exchange policy".
The study's final finding, directly linked to these pricing constraints, is that economy class is now the rule on short and medium-haul routes. 88% of passengers fly business class, compared with 9% in premium and 3% in business class. Logically, business class is gaining ground on long-haul flights: three out of ten passengers use business class, compared with two out of ten in premium and less than half in economy.
