UK–US business travel falls sharply as regional trips rise

Business travel between the UK and the US dropped 25.7% in volume during the first half of 2025, according to Travelogix data, reflecting economic uncertainty, rising costs, and trade frictions. However, spend declined by only 7%, with average booking values up 25% year on year, suggesting that senior executives continue to travel in premium cabins.

Overall, international travel volumes fell, while short-haul regional trips increased, shifting top destinations to Amsterdam, Geneva, and Dubai. Despite this pivot, spend across the top 10 routes dropped 3.9%, and total booking volumes slipped nearly 3%.

Advance purchase windows shortened (down 9.3% overall and nearly seven days on US routes), signalling greater caution in planning. The report also flagged major hotel leakage: only 15% of eligible hotel bookings were captured through approved channels, representing £254m in missed revenue and over £25m in lost commissions for TMCs.

Rail adoption on viable European routes remained limited despite lower costs and carbon benefits, with 57% still choosing air. UK domestic routes saw a minor shift towards rail, but overall bookings fell 15.3% year on year.

Finally, online adoption remains low: only 21% of bookings were self-serve, while offline bookings dominate at 79% of volume and 85% of spend.