Sustainability was among the least important factors of influence on the air travel choices business travelers 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 Tuesday.
Just 4 percent 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 percent), price (51 percent) and their employer's policy (49 percent). Only 4 percent indicated they select the flight that emits the least amount of carbon, and 4 percent said they fly airlines that use sustainable aviation fuel.
BCD from Aug. 7-16 surveyed 1,319 business travelers in North America, Europe 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 travelers themselves are not prioritizing sustainability in the same way. Travel managers can influence their travelers' behavior through encouraging or mandating sustainable measures, which often go hand in hand with traveler wellness. Direct flights, for instance, are more sustainable and less stressful for travelers."
Indeed, most respondents are taking actions that can help lessen carbon emissions: 66 percent fly direct instead of connecting, and 47 percent travel light and try to minimize luggage weight, according to the report. One-third visit several business locations in a single trip, while 29 percent refill their own water bottles at the airport and one-quarter use public transportation to get to or from the airport.
Traveler Satisfaction
About one-third each of respondents were either extremely satisfied (32 percent) or somewhat satisfied (35 percent) with their employer's air policy, with 13 percent either somewhat or extremely dissatisfied. The numbers are slightly higher for satisfaction with choice of preferred airlines: 38 percent were extremely satisfied and 36 percent somewhat satisfied, while 10 percent were somewhat or extremely dissatisfied.
When asked what challenges they experienced when booking air, 30 percent said "none," the answer with the highest response. But it was followed closely at 29 percent with dissatisfaction about extra services not being covered or needing approval, while 20 percent cited "user unfriendly" booking tools.
For the airline side, business travelers are most upset with delays (69 percent), inconvenient flight times (48 percent), uncomfortable seats (43 percent) and cancellations (39 percent). Nearly one-third (32 percent) cited no room for carry-on baggage in overhead bins as a situation experienced when flying for business, and 27 percent noted technical issues with the aircraft when boarding.
Air Buying Patterns
About 37 percent of respondents purchase the cheapest available air option, while 28 percent opt for fully refundable and flexible tickets or partially refundable tickets and changes that come with a fee (22 percent). Nearly one-fifth (18 percent) buy nonrefundable tickets with no changes allowed.
The top ancillary service purchased is checked luggage (51 percent), seat selection (48 percent) and carry-on luggage (34 percent).
Trip Patterns
Nearly one in four (39 percent) of respondents take business trips that last two to three days, with 36 percent taking trips lasting four to six days and 10 percent taking trips of seven to 13 days. Only 3 percent fly for one-day trips. One-third take both domestic and international trips.
For short-haul service, 88 percent of respondents fly economy. For long-haul travel, 48 percent fly economy, 19 percent opt for premium economy and 31 percent fly business class.