Smoothing out the business of business travel

Upgraded business cabins, new non-stop flights and better connections are set to transform corporate travel for Australian professionals, believes the team at Corporate Traveller.

Corporate Traveller is a Flight Centre Travel Group offshoot which just handles business travel.

And, globally, that forecast to be worth $2.374 trillion by the end of 2025.

The Corporate Traveller team reckons 2025 will be a “breakout year” for corporate travel innovation, and has identified key airline upgrades which it believes will redefine business travel this year: “With a focus on convenience and efficiency, these upgrades reflect the growing demand for smarter, more tailored travel experiences.”

Tom Walley, the Australian-based global managing director at Corporate Traveller, says: “The aviation industry is stepping up in ways we haven’t seen in years as passenger volumes grow quarter on quarter. Both Perth and Melbourne have already surpassed pre-pandemic international travel levels and our own data shows 40 per cent of Australian businesses plan to increase their travel in the 2025 financial year.

“This recovery is driving targeted investments from airlines, spanning upgraded cabins, expanded routes, and improved connectivity to meet demand.”

Tom says innovations like Emirates’ next-generation business class on its Boeing 777 blends luxury with productivity.

“These changes go beyond incremental improvements,” he says. “They’re redefining how Australians travel and work, setting a new standard for the modern business journey.”

The Corporate Traveller team has picked five airline enhancements that it believes will be game changers for Australia’s business travellers.

1. Non-stop flights to key global markets Qantas is planning to introduce new direct flights to destinations such as Athens, Chicago, Las Vegas and Seattle this year. They will mean 220,000 extra seats over a 12-month period, starting from February.

Tom says: “Qantas’ expansion of non-stop flights is a pivotal development for Australian business travellers. Direct access to key international markets means reduced travel times and increased efficiency, allowing professionals to focus more on their business objectives and less on transit.

“Beyond that, Chicago, Las Vegas and Seattle are particularly significant for business travellers with Chicago being a major hub for finance, tech and manufacturing, while Vegas is the heart of global conferences and trade shows. As the home of Microsoft and Amazon, Seattle is also an important destination for tech professionals, while Athens is a growing gateway to Southern Europe.”

2. Cathay Pacific raises the bar with all-new Aria Suite The Corporate Traveller team is excited about the Aria Suite, which was retrofitted in Boeing 777-300ER aircraft launched early in 2025. Each suite has a full, lie-flat bed with sliding privacy doors and 4K entertainment system and marble topped surfaces.

Tom says: “Cathay Pacific’s Aria Suite is a game changer for Australian business travellers, particularly for those flying to key hubs in Asia and beyond. The ability to customise your environment, whether to rest, work or relax, ensures professionals can optimise their in-flight time and arrive at their destinations ready to perform. These upgrades set a new standard for long-haul excellence.

“Beyond comfort, the Aria Suite reflects a broader shift toward creating in-flight ‘office in the sky’ experiences, catering to the evolving needs of business travellers who demand flexibility and productivity.”

3. Emirates unveils the new Boeing 777 business class Following Cathay Pacific’s introduction of the Aria Suite, Emirates is also revamping business class on the Boeing 777 aircraft, with fully enclosed privacy suites, lie-flat beds and a personal minibar. Each suite has a touchscreen tablet for seat and lighting controls, and there is high-speed wifi.

“These upgrades are designed to meet the growing demand for productivity and comfort,” says Tom. “Emirates’ move underlines an emerging ‘luxury-plus-productivity’ model that enables business travellers to capitalise on flight hours as an extension of the work day, without compromising on comfort.”

4. Virgin and Qatar alliance unlocks global networks The partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways improves connectivity for corporate travellers. It is expected to launch in mid-2025, pending ACCC ratification.

Tom says: “This partnership isn’t just about adding destinations; it’s about creating a seamless travel experience for businesses. By combining Virgin Australia’s domestic expertise with Qatar Airways’ global network, this alliance will simplify complex itineraries and offer more flexibility and access to some of the world’s fastest-growing economic hubs.

“Australian travellers can expect more choice, competitive pricing and streamlined loyalty benefits — elements that promise to reshape the competitive landscape in business travel.”

5. New business class lounges Business travellers can look forward to a wave of premium lounge upgrades this year, with the long-awaited flagship First Lounge at Heathrow Airport being a standout. It is set to open by late 2025. Its opening will align with the launch of Qantas Project Sunrise direct flights between the UK, New York and Australia’s east coast.

Tom says: “From more efficient routes to luxe on-ground experiences, the coming year marks a paradigm shift for Australian corporate travel. For businesses navigating the global stage, these airline innovations offer a vital strategic edge that make every hour in transit an opportunity for productivity, networking and growth.”