What were the main findings in the report?

Working with Censuswide, who collated the feedback of 1,000 travelling execs in September 2024 to create our ‘Premium Meets Productivity’ report, we found that 86% of business travellers who reported finding journeys stressful lost at least one hour of productive time once they arrived at their destination. When you consider how many people travel for business, this is a significant wellbeing concern and a staggering amount of working time lost.

How do the findings differ among C-suite travellers?

Among the most senior travellers we see the starkest impacts. Almost half (45%) of C-level professionals report losing up to a whole day – between four and eight hours – of productive time when travel is fragmented and stressful. Almost all C-level executives (96%) note that premium experiences positively contribute towards their productivity and success.

Did any of the findings surprise you?

Yes, personally I am very surprised by the extent of the impact on productivity. Our guests regularly tell us the seamless door-to-door reliable service is what makes them choose to travel with Blacklane again and again, and travel managers are acutely aware that fragmented travel is not ideal. However, the figures that we saw in our research are really staggering – significantly worse than I expected.

How is the bleisure trend impacting the needs and expectations of business travellers?

Our research highlights how important embracing the blend is to creating successful working environments. It found 54% of business travellers stated that combining business and leisure trips makes them more productive, and 50% work harder when there are other exciting things to do. Even when the trip is business-dedicated, almost two-thirds said they prioritise personal time to remain productive. So, as much as we may dislike the word ‘bleisure’, merging business and personal travel is here to stay. At Blacklane we have much-loved policies that allow our people to work from anywhere, and it’s something I enjoy taking advantage of.

What other workplace trends are influencing what travelling employees want and need?

Business travellers tell us that experiences such as flying premium or business class (39%), access to uninterrupted Wi-Fi (39%), airport transfers at both ends of a journey (35%), and private chauffeurs to assist with in-city travel or personal errands in-destination (35%) are all services that reduce the possible stresses of business travel. Interestingly, almost a third (31%) would like to travel with a family member to ensure a trip is less demanding, highlighting again the increasing blurring of business and leisure travel boundaries.

How are cuts in travel budgets affecting traveller productivity?

The general trend is costs have gone up, but services and inclusions within a fare have not necessarily increased. A reliable, safe chauffeur service that is also comfortable and provides space to work or relax can be seen as a ‘luxury extra’ reserved for the most senior. But when you factor in protecting traveller wellbeing by reducing the frustrations that come with fragmented journeys, there are clear time savings, plus people engagement and productivity benefits. From a long-term perspective, there is significant value in thinking far beyond the immediate cost. Nobody wants to feel life is more difficult because someone is focused on cutting spend. At Blacklane we’re passionate that travel is treated as a value-creator for businesses.

Why are the report’s findings important for corporate travel managers?

We’re encouraging our corporate travel clients to think hard about the productivity and wellbeing matrix. Employers should remember that it’s not duty of survival, it’s duty of care. We think there is still a way to go. The ROI of business travel shouldn’t just be measured in terms of pounds and dollars, but in how positively your travelling people engage with policies, how their wellbeing fares after multiple trips and how their productivity performs trip after trip.

How should they be responding to the report?

It’s time for corporates to re-position business travel from a cost to an opportunity for greater success. Engaged, rested and valued people deliver better results. We would encourage travel managers to survey frequent travellers and monitor their wellbeing to check how the trends found in our report are playing out in their own organisations.

How is Blacklane responding to it?

We continue to showcase the benefits of working with partners who provide reliable, consistent, comfortable high-quality services that truly make business travel better. Of course there is a benefit to Blacklane here, but we also want to be part of the change that takes business travel from being seen as a cost centre to a significant value-add.

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