How Much of Air Travel Is Business vs Personal?

By Anna Duncan

Air travel is an increasingly popular form of transportation, with more and more people turning to planes when they need to get places quickly and safely. But how much of air travel is business versus personal?

Business travel accounts for the majority of air travel. According to the Global Business Travel Association, corporate spending on air travel in the U.S. alone was estimated at $47 billion in 2017. This is a significant increase from 2016, when corporate spending on air travel was estimated at $43 billion.

Business travelers are typically looking for convenience and efficiency when it comes to their flights, and are willing to pay for it. Business travelers tend to buy higher-priced tickets that allow them access to perks such as priority check-in, lounge access, and more legroom. These tickets usually cost more than tickets purchased by leisure travelers.

Leisure travelers account for a smaller percentage of air travel, but their numbers are still significant. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), leisure travelers accounted for about 40 percent of all passenger trips worldwide in 2017.

Leisure travelers typically have different priorities when it comes to their flights than business travelers do. They often look for the cheapest ticket available and are less likely to pay extra for perks such as priority check-in or extra legroom.

Overall, business travelers make up the majority of air travel, while leisure travelers make up a smaller percentage but still account for a significant portion of passenger trips worldwide.

Conclusion:

The majority of air travel is made up of business travelers who are willing to pay more for convenience and efficiency, while leisure travelers make up a smaller percentage but still account for a significant portion of all passenger trips worldwide.