New research from the Global Business Travel Association and American Express finds that millennials are more inclined to travel for business than baby boomers. The study shows 45 percent of millennials express a willingness to travel for work, compared with just 26 percent of baby boomers.
The report also highlights clear differences in travel behaviors between the generations. Only 17 percent of baby boomers use social media to coordinate plans with friends while traveling, versus 46 percent of millennials. Baby boomers are far more comfortable using personal credit cards for business expenses; by contrast, roughly half of millennials say they are unwilling to wait for travel reimbursements. When it comes to travel priorities, baby boomers tend to value free checked bags and fast security clearance, while millennials place higher importance on free Wi‑Fi.
“Millennials in particular are interested in business travel and see the value it brings to their companies and their careers. This generation may see more upsides to business travel because they’ve found new ways to stay connected to their personal and professional commitments while on the road,” says Susan Chapman-Hughes, senior vice president of American Express Global Corporate Payments.
Despite generational differences, the study identifies some common preferences among business travelers of all ages. About two in five travelers want airports to offer better nonstop flight options, and roughly two thirds are bothered by fellow passengers talking on cellphones during flights.
These findings have implications for employers, travel managers and service providers who aim to accommodate a multigenerational workforce. Companies designing travel policies may need to consider flexible payment and reimbursement processes to address younger employees’ concerns about out-of-pocket costs. Offering reliable onboard and airport Wi‑Fi can improve satisfaction for tech‑savvy travelers, while maintaining expedited security lanes and baggage allowances will continue to appeal to older travelers.
For airlines and airports, prioritizing more nonstop routes could satisfy a large portion of business travelers, and enforcing in-flight cellphone etiquette may improve the overall passenger experience. Travel planners and corporate travel programs that balance these varied preferences—convenience and cost controls for baby boomers, connectivity and faster reimbursement for millennials—are likely to see higher employee satisfaction and better business travel outcomes.