Each year, Global Traveler conducts thorough surveys of its readership. The results are clear: the number of women traveling for business continues to grow. To address an enduring question — whether female business travelers still face different treatment than their male counterparts — Global Traveler partnered with the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong and Briggs & Riley to identify the biggest challenges female business travelers face today.
More than 1,000 women in business travel responded, offering a range of perspectives. Some reported clear differences in how they are treated, others felt there was no disparity, and many expressed a desire for more travel products and services designed specifically with women in mind. The contest, conducted online from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31, 2009, provided an opportunity for this expanding community to share their experiences. Among the submissions, Melanie Carter’s essay stood out.
Carter is director of business healthcare solutions at Cook Medical, where she addresses business challenges affecting hospitals. Her role takes her around the world; in a typical week she often finds herself on a plane traveling to various destinations. When she’s not on business trips, Carter enjoys tennis, reading, wine tasting and leisure travel. She lives in San Francisco.
As the inaugural Female Global Traveler of the Year, Carter will receive a four-night stay in a Plateau Suite at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, including treatments at Plateau Spa and dinner for two at the Thai & Grill Restaurant. She will also be awarded a set of Briggs & Riley Baseline luggage.
The Winning Essay
I recently found myself stuck flying economy class. A couple approached me and asked to switch so the woman could take the aisle seat; they wanted my aisle seat in exchange for their middle. They assumed I was a young college student and expected me to give it up. Calmly, I explained that as a frequent traveler I prefer the aisle and couldn’t accommodate their request. They responded with complaints and heckling, criticizing my refusal as “un‑ladylike.”
I faced two options: relinquish a small comfort I value as a business traveler or stand my ground and say no. My right to decline may seem minor compared with the sacrifices I make for my career, but respecting my own preferences mattered. In the end, I kept my seat. Doing so felt empowering.
The core challenge for women travelers often comes down to perception — being seen as the polite young woman who will surrender her seat without objection, or being judged differently in premium cabins by fellow passengers. These perceptions can be challenged by asserting our preferences, holding steady during difficult interactions, and maintaining dignity while insisting on fair treatment. Standing up for ourselves doesn’t have to be confrontational; it can simply be a calm, firm affirmation that our choices and comfort matter.