Europe, US, UK: The Changing Landscape of Business Travel with Reduced Long-Haul Journeys

Published on September 4, 2025

Business travel between the UK and the US has seen a dramatic decline of 25.67% in the first half of 2025, according to the latest data from Travelogix. The global tour operator’s report reveals that while demand for regional European destinations has surged, long-haul flights, particularly to the US, have dropped due to macroeconomic uncertainty, rising costs, and evolving traveler behaviors. Although overall spend on US business travel has decreased by 7%, senior executives still favor premium cabin bookings, suggesting that high-level travel remains somewhat insulated from the broader decline.

A Cooling Business Travel Market

The trend towards fewer UK-US business trips reflects broader shifts in the corporate travel landscape. According to the Global Business Travel Review from Travelogix, total spending across all business travel destinations saw a reduction of 4.92% compared to the previous year. However, a closer look at the data reveals that regional travel in Europe has gained momentum, with destinations like Amsterdam, Geneva, and Dubai surpassing previous booking numbers to become some of the top routes for UK travelers.

The report analyzed 555,138 bookings from January to June 2025, with a total value of £341.96 million, and found a marked shift in travel preferences. Business travelers are now opting for more regional trips instead of long-haul flights. The data highlights a growing desire to travel during the shoulder seasons, when tourist crowds are lighter, particularly in Southern Europe.

Regional Destinations Surge in Popularity

In 2025, the top destinations for business travelers from the UK are now more regional, reflecting a growing preference for shorter, less expensive flights. Routes between London and Amsterdam, London and Geneva, and London and Dubai are now among the top three busiest booking routes.

This shift marks a contrast to the previous year when flights between London and New York, London and Dubai, and London and Amsterdam were the most popular. The shift is driven by travelers looking for more convenient, cost-effective options within Europe, reducing the strain on their budgets and the carbon footprint of long-haul flights.

Changes in Business Travel Booking Habits

The advance booking time for business travel has also been impacted. The average time between booking and departure for flights from the UK has dropped by 9.3%, with travelers now booking their trips around 36.66 days in advance compared to 40.42 days in 2024. Notably, bookings for US routes specifically show a shorter planning window, with advance purchases falling by nearly seven days.

This shorter booking window suggests a shift towards more agile travel planning, with businesses becoming more cautious in their approach to transatlantic flights. This also implies that business leaders are now more willing to make spontaneous travel decisions based on the current economic climate and the flexibility of business commitments.

The Growth of Domestic and Regional Rail Travel

Despite the decline in international bookings, there is some positive news for Europe-bound travelers looking for alternatives to air travel. The rail modal share is seeing modest growth, particularly on routes where rail is a viable alternative to flying. For example, on routes to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris, rail now accounts for 42.74% of all bookings, a slight dip from 43.61% in 2024, but still a significant figure when compared to air travel’s 57.26%.

In the UK, domestic rail travel has also seen a small uptick. Rail bookings between major hubs such as London and Manchester or London and Edinburgh have increased to 37.64% of all bookings, showing a minimal shift from air to rail travel.

However, the cost of rail tickets, which either remained the same or decreased, still has not been enough to overcome the convenience of air travel for many business travelers. Factors such as scheduling and the fragmented nature of rail content are still preventing rail from becoming a more dominant mode of transport for business trips.

Hotel Bookings and Missed Opportunities

One of the more concerning findings from the Travelogix report is the high level of hotel leakage among UK-based corporate travelers. A significant portion of hotel bookings—15.35%—was not made through official approval channels, resulting in a large number of untracked bookings. With 456,121 overnight bookings identified as eligible for corporate stays, only 69,993 of these had an associated hotel booking, meaning around 1.25 million “leaked” bed nights.

This represents a missed revenue opportunity for travel management companies (TMCs), with an estimated £254 million in lost revenue and £25.4 million in lost commissions. This leakage highlights the need for businesses to implement stricter controls over their travel programs to ensure that corporate travel bookings are properly tracked and managed.

The Impact on Corporate and Leisure Travel

For business travelers, the drop in transatlantic travel and the shift towards regional and domestic travel may make planning a bit more flexible but could also reduce the number of international business opportunities. While Europe remains a prime destination for corporate trips, companies are increasingly adopting more agile travel strategies, which include less frequent international travel.

On the leisure side, the decline in long-haul business travel could influence flight availability and prices, particularly on popular routes between the UK and the US. With fewer corporate travelers booking flights, airlines may adjust their schedules and pricing strategies, potentially affecting tourists traveling for leisure.

Key Points to Remember

• UK-US business travel dropped by 25.67% in H1 2025 due to macroeconomic uncertainty, rising costs, and trade issues.
• Bookings to regional European destinations have surged, with routes to Amsterdam, Geneva, and Dubai topping the list.
• Business travel bookings have become more spontaneous, with a 9.3% decrease in advance purchasing time.
• Rail travel continues to grow, particularly on European routes where air and rail are viable alternatives.
• Hotel leakage among UK corporate travelers remains a concern, leading to missed revenue opportunities for TMCs.

Conclusion: A Shift in Corporate Travel Dynamics

As the global business travel landscape shifts, companies and travelers alike are adapting to new conditions. The decline in US-bound travel and the rise in regional European destinations signal a more cautious and flexible approach to business trips. For both corporate and leisure travelers, these changes highlight the need for smarter travel planning and better management of booking channels. As the market continues to cool, staying informed on evolving travel trends and adjusting travel habits will be key to navigating the post-pandemic travel environment.