Corporate Traveller has revealed that business travellers prioritise speed, comfort and productivity on their stopovers when travelling.
Corporate Traveller global managing director, Tom Walley said the company’s travel managers work closely with business travellers giving them a keen insight into what they value most on each step of the journey.
“Business travellers spend hours in transit and days or weeks away from home, so airports, lounges and other services that have comfort, productivity and efficiency at their core can make all the difference,” he said.
“With itineraries tighter than ever, our clients tell us time predictability and knowing exactly how long each air-side process will take, now outranks champagne bars and sleep pods.
“That’s why airports investing in biometrics to slash queue times and lounges with purpose-built work pods and guaranteed Wi-Fi bandwidth, topped our list.”
Top stopover
Singapore’s Changi Airport was ranked as the best stopover, landing over two-thirds of the votes in Corporate Traveller’s Travel Manager poll, which asked which hub delivers the most productivity-boosting layover for business travellers.
Changi Airport has repeatedly been named the best airport for its vast entertainment, dining, and wellness options.
“Business travellers don’t need to sit idle between flights at Changi Airport, but if they want to there are multiple ways to do so,” Walley said.
“All four terminals have their own experiences, and they are linked to Jewel, a nature-themed, multi-use complex of gardens, retail, dining and hotel facilities.
“The sheer size and unique nature of Changi Airport have made it a destination even for those who are not flying.”
Last year, the airport announced that it would be investing US$3 billion over the next six years in all four terminals.
In second place was Dubai International Airport, and Doha Hamad Airport ranked third.
Doha’s placement comes as Qatar acquired a 25% stake in Virgin Australia and launched flights from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth to Doha.
Best international lounge
Emirates First Class Dubai took out top spot for the best international lounges.
Almost half of the travel experts chose this lounge when asked which international lounge offered the best amenities, experience, food and beverages.
“Everything about this lounge promotes style, ease and relaxation, making it number one for those who are travelling for business and need to be at their best enroute to continue work, and when they arrive,” Walley said.
“Entry into the lounge is fast and seamless via contactless facial recognition and once inside, travellers can choose to take time out, refresh themselves in the showers or get down to work in the business centre.
“The options and the style in which Emirates supports its travellers make the first-class Lounge Dubai a favourite.”
Following behind in second and third places were Qatar Airways’ Al Mourjan Business Lounge in Doha and Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney.
What do travellers value most?
Half of the expert panel said the prioritised speed and efficiency in security and the immigration process.
This factor attracted almost three times the votes as state-of-the-art lounges, which ranked second.
“Security and immigration checks can sometimes slowed transit down but automation, self-serve facilities and electronic travel authorisations such as those recently introduced in the UK are expediting this part of the process,” Walley said.
“Our travel managers know that business travellers value efficiency, so its little surprise that fast security and immigration processes rated number one.”
Singapore’s Changi Airport displays these values in its end-to-end biometric clearance that was fully rolled out across all terminals in October 2024. It slashed average passport control from 25 seconds to 10, marking a 60% improvement.
“When we ask clients what makes an airport exceptional, it’s knowing you can be through immigration in minutes,” Walley said.
“Changi’s 60% cut in wait time explains exactly why it tops our rankings. Baggage tracking and handling came in third, ahead of premium shopping, dining and wellness perks.”
