What Percentage of Air Travel Is Business Versus Pleasure?

By Alice Nichols

Business and pleasure travel have long been intertwined. Business travelers often use their free time to explore a new city or take in the sights of a familiar one while on a work trip.

Meanwhile, those traveling for leisure often shop, dine, and attend business meetings while away from home. But just how much air travel is devoted to business versus pleasure?

Business Travel Dominates Air Travel

According to the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), business travel accounts for 85% of all air travel worldwide. This number is expected to increase as more businesses expand their operations into foreign markets and require employees to travel frequently. In addition, the GBTA estimates that U.S. companies alone spent over $323 billion on business travel in 2018, with airfare being one of the largest expenses.

Airline Loyalty Programs Encourage Frequent Flyers

Airline loyalty programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, with many travelers accumulating points or miles that can be used towards flight upgrades and discounts on future flights. These programs not only reward frequent flyers but also encourage them to continue flying with their preferred airline, which helps boost ticket sales for the airline in question. Furthermore, these loyalty programs are beneficial for business travelers as they can often accumulate points faster due to their frequent flying habits.

Pleasure Travel Is on the Rise

Although business travel still dominates the skies, pleasure travel has been steadily increasing over recent years due to an increase in disposable income among many households and an overall rise in global tourism numbers. According to a report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international arrivals were up by 6% worldwide in 2018 compared to 2017, with Asia-Pacific leading the way with 8%.

Technology Makes Pleasure Travel Easier

The rise of technology has made it easier than ever for people to book flights and accommodations online at affordable prices, which has helped fuel an increase in pleasure travel numbers worldwide. Online booking sites such as Expedia and Kayak allow users to compare prices across multiple airlines quickly and easily while mobile apps such as Google Flights make it possible for travelers to book flights directly from their smartphones or other devices while on-the-go.

Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s clear that business travelers still make up the majority of air travelers worldwide at 85%, however pleasure travel is also on the rise thanks largely due advances in technology which make it easier than ever for people book flights and accommodations online at affordable prices.