International business class bookings by Australian small and medium-sized businesses increased 19 per cent in the first half of 2026, according to new data from Corporate Traveller.
The year-on-year increase comes despite continued pressure on corporate travel budgets and coincides with substantial investment by international airlines in their premium cabins.
Corporate Traveller says businesses are increasingly looking beyond the cost of business class seats and considering factors such as employee productivity, sleep and the ability to begin work soon after a long-haul flight.
Corporate Traveller Global Managing Director Tom Walley said business class is increasingly being regarded as an investment in productivity rather than simply a perk.
“For travellers, flying Business Class is seen as a major productivity hack,” Walley said. “The comfort and convenience buy you back the day you’d otherwise lose to jet lag.”
Airlines are responding with new seats, increased privacy and more sophisticated business class products.
Emirates is continuing a major Boeing 777 retrofit programme, while Malaysia Airlines has introduced its new A330neo business suites, including privacy doors, on a growing number of Australian services. Air New Zealand is also refurbishing its Boeing 787-9 fleet, to be completed by the end of 2026.
The survey found Emirates to be the preferred long-haul business class airline, nominated by 72% of respondents followed by Qatar Airways 67% and Singapore Airlines on 62%.