Business class travel into Hong Kong and China is soaring above the average levels of international travel out of Australia, according to exclusive data by the flagship corporate travel businesses of Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller.
Flight Centre Corporate’s international business class bookings out of Australia averaged a sky-high growth of 45 percent in the second half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023. Those opting for business class on international legs out of Australia made up roughly one in six bookings in the second half of 2024.
But premium travel into Hong Kong and China was far exceeding average levels, with a year-on-year growth rate of 60 percent and 57 percent respectively, in the second half of 2024.
One in four corporate travellers flying between Australia and Hong Kong were booking business class, and more than one in five travelling into China were seated in the business cabin in the latest half.
Globally, corporate travellers are increasingly opting for business class when flying to Asia, with the region leading the world in year-on-year growth for premium travel.
“Asia has two massive benefits for business travellers. Not only is trade critical with the likes of China, Hong Kong, and India for companies worldwide, but it also acts as the transit gateway that connects the Northern and Southern Hemisphere,” said Flight Centre Corporate Global COO Melissa Elf.
“Through our Meetings & Events business, we’ve also seen an uptick in Asia being the destination of choice for conferences, with the region centrally located for those coming from London, New York, or Sydney – the geographic location is of real benefit.
“ It’s no coincidence that the growth in business class to these destinations has coincided with the continued return of capacity into Asia region-wide from origins worldwide – choice and competition is the catalyst to greater availability and lower airfares.
“The levels of growth we’re seeing, across all cabin classes, is a direct reflection of greater capacity, allowing for more seats to be booked.
“Global trade will be in the spotlight in 2025 with a Donald Trump Administration, but the one thing that won’t change is the critical nature of business travel for companies that know it’s a necessity rather than a luxury, and that it’s a key facet to surviving and thriving.”
According to new data from Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), more Australians are travelling to China for longer since the country extended its visa-free entry period from 15 to 30 days on 30 November 2024.
The group’s corporate and leisure divisions have both seen an uplift in bookings and length of stay year on year from December 2023 to 2024, with corporate travel to China rising by 21 percent since the visa changes were made.
“China has long been a top destination for Aussie corporates because it’s a critical hub for our manufacturing, education, mining, construction and retail sectors, however, it’s no secret that the cutting of red tape will be helping the surge we’re seeing,” Ms Elf said.
“Australian businesses value being able to travel more seamlessly, cost effectively and for longer periods, so we expect to continue to see a steady increase in travel to key cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.
“While bookings in the business cabin – and into China generally – are growing, so too is the volume of corporates booking for more than 15 days, now that there is more flexibility to do so, with length of stay in China among the highest levels of all international destinations.”
