Survey: Most European Business travelers want to reduce the environmental impact of their trips

Written by Josefine Bovbjerg | May 2, 2025 6:00:00 AM

Corporate travel is evolving fast. According to a recent AirPlus survey of 529 European business travelers, 63% expressed a desire to reduce the environmental impact of their trips. However, despite this growing shift toward more responsible practices, only 41% of respondents reported that their companies have established guidelines for more climate-conscious travel behavior.

The contrast is striking. While employees demonstrate support for change, corporate policies often lag behind the urgency for climate action. For forward-thinking businesses, this disconnect presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Platforms like Goodwings make it simpler for organizations to not only close this gap but also position themselves as leaders in a movement that is reshaping how we think about business travel.

The Case for Climate Focus in Corporate Travel

1. Employee Expectations and Support

The AirPlus survey is clear—employees want to travel in ways that align with sustainability goals. A staggering 57% of business travelers stated that sustainability guidelines encourage them to make more environmentally conscious choices, such as opting for lower-emission modes of transport or bundling multiple meetings into one trip.

Moreover, 45% indicated they actively welcome sustainability policies. Clear, forward-thinking guidelines are no longer optional; they are expected by a workforce increasingly aligned with environmental and social responsibility.

2. Changing Patterns in Business Travel

Corporate sustainability is no longer just a passive commitment; it has become an integral part of business operations. The AirPlus survey revealed that 40% of participating companies have introduced strict policies to completely eliminate domestic flights. Additionally, the percentage of domestic flights in the global AirPlus travel index has decreased from 20% in 2019 to just 13% today.
Shifts like these are not just one-off trends; They are part of the growing consensus that well-thought-through travel policies drive major environmental benefits while encouraging efficiencies in how businesses operate.

3. Climate Commitments and Brand Perception

Businesses are under increasing pressure to clearly show the steps they are taking to meet their climate commitments. Whether through a Net Zero pledge or setting ambitious Science-Based Targets, corporate travelers expect their environmental impact to be measured.
Aligning travel strategies with sustainability goals goes beyond environmental impact or competitive advantage and compliance. It also fosters goodwill, enhances corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and strengthens a brand’s reputation among employees, consumers, and stakeholders.

The solution is finding a TMS that helps you travel more responsibly

Sustainability isn’t just a checkbox item—it should be ingrained in corporate strategies. Goodwings simplifies the process. Our climate-focused business travel platform integrates responsible travel planning into every trip, helping organizations reduce their emissions while creating more meaningful employee experiences.

Here’s how we do it:

Effortless implementation of policies in booking flow, and expansive custom policy features like allowed engines on car bookings, allowed classes for different hauls, and much more

Carbon offsetting and decarbonization through SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel), built into one affordable solution

AI-powered recommendations on continuous policy improvements, with direct and data-driven insights into how to reduce your company's travel emissions

Employee engagement, through personalised climate dashboards and insights
Transparent and ESG-ready emissions reporting, at the click of a button

How to create a more Sustainable Travel Policy

Whether you’re a Corporate Travel Manager, Sustainability Officer, or a frequent Business Traveller, there are actionable steps to integrate meaningful sustainability efforts into your corporate travel today.

Step 1. Establish clear policies

Draft guidelines that outline sustainable travel expectations. These may include preferring high-speed rail over short flights, combining trips to minimize travel frequency, or staying in certified green accommodations.

Step 2. Educate employees and stakeholders

Ensure employees understand the "why" behind new travel policies. Share the environmental and business benefits, such as emission reductions and decreased operational costs resulting from more consolidated trips.

Step 3. Leverage travel-management technology

Gone are the days of spreadsheets and unlinked itineraries. Platforms like Goodwings integrate employee workflows, travel data, and emissions monitoring seamlessly, giving companies clear insight into the multiple benefits of responsible travel - without added complexity.

Step 4. Measure and communicate the impact

Quantify progress through regular emissions tracking and reduction updates. When employees see results—whether through saved emissions or successful behavior shifts—it fosters long-term alignment across departments.

Setting the Standard in Corporate Travel

The data shared in the AirPlus study is a reflection of the strong appetite for action within organizations ready to adapt to the demands of modern travel. Yet it also highlights gaps where businesses are not yet equipped to meet their employees’ expectations. At Goodwings, we bridge these worlds. We empower companies to rethink their travel operations—from flights to hotels to end-of-year reporting—all whilst keeping sustainability at the core.
Curious to find out how Goodwings can help your business meet its sustainability goals? Talk to us today and witness the difference Goodwings brings to corporate travel.

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