With up to four classes of seating, from economy to business, to first, squeezed into their cabins, commercial aircraft would appear to offer something to accommodate every level of corporate clientele, but not quite. There is much more than leg and elbow room for corporate travel planners to consider when sending employees under their care far and wide for their companies.
“While private charter is not the solution for every individual trip or group movement, given the right circumstances, the benefits of private aviation for business travel justify the cost,” said Erica Merrill, Director of Business Development at Air Partner, whose extensive background includes experience managing corporate travel accounts across multiple industries. “Too many companies try to cut costs on transportation for business travel, with potentially detrimental results, including decreased productivity and missed opportunities. Among the biggest regrets are lost time and lost opportunity. It is time for them to rethink the equation by focusing instead on how the comforts and conveniences of private aviation can maximize employee performance both on the road and back at the office.”
Nothing makes sense in business unless it makes money. From that perspective, travel pays off, even at a time when video-conferencing services are accessible on every laptop, desktop, and mobile device. According to a 2021 report from American Express and American Express Global Business Travel, for instance, 85% of decision-makers surveyed said that business travel leads to higher profit and revenue, while 90% agreed that it helps advance the professional growth of their employees*. More recently, according to a study by Oxford Economics, each dollar invested in business travel produces $12.50 in revenue and $3.80 in profits.
With the above in mind, for companies presented with frequent travel across the globe, private aviation offers wide-ranging benefits beyond the security and privacy that come with sharing a cabin with colleagues. Indeed, travelling with fellow workers alone is much more encouraging for meetings, strategy sessions, and preparation for the business matters that will be at hand after landing.