According to an AirPlus analysis of the European market, women appear to plan and carry out their business trips differently than men. The basis for this statement: More than twelve million flights booked annually throughout the world. In the process, men and women were identified by the Mr./Ms./Mrs./Miss code on the ticket. The data provided insight into the various aspects of planning and taking a trip.

What is true for many jobs and industries is also true for business trips: They are, for the most part, a man’s domain. The subjective impression at the airport or hotel is supported by market observations. On flights, for example, the proportion of female business travelers is currently 12.8 percent. Also, this figure is trending downward: In 2007, the number of female business travelers was at 13.1 percent. But there are clear differences between male and female business travelers that go beyond this numerical ratio. The methods of travel planning and travel itself are also very different between men and women. Do their standards for private sector travel also apply for business travel?

From kindergarten to the airport
An interesting point: Women plan their business trips earlier and are more frugal in doing so. For women, there’s an average of 19.2 days between booking a trip and departure, while for their male colleagues this average is only 15.4 days. This proves that women are more forward-looking in planning and booking. However, in contrast to men, women cancel and change their trips more frequently: In 2009, 12.8 percent of women’s business trips were changed or canceled. Compared to previous years, the trend is actually increasing; in 2007, this figure was 12.3 percent. This is another indicator that women need to react more flexibly and spontaneously to changes and adjustments in their day-to-day lives. Men are apparently better able to comply with the requirements for more accurate travel planning: In 2007, men in Germany canceled 4.2 percent of their trips, and in 2009 they canceled just 3.4 percent.

Women are better savers
In their personal lives, women are often in charge of managing household expenses. For most, dealing with money in an economical manner is a matter of course. This also seems to influence their behavior in booking business trips. The lesson: With regard to business travel, learning from women means learning to save. For those who doubt this, just take a look at what women pay for a ticket. A quick comparison with men’s travel expenses is astonishing. On average, a woman business traveler in economy class purchases her ticket for €230. In contrast, men pay €277. That’s a full €47 more. Or, to say it more clearly: Men pay roughly twenty percent more. This can also be demonstrated with another example: Women primarily fly in economy class, whether on intercontinental, continental or domestic routes. This begs the question: Are women better business travelers? From the perspective of those responsible for company expenses, the answer is yes: Women buy less expensive tickets, book earlier, fly in economy class more often and spend less during the trips.