Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Chicago Retain Their Status as the Three Most Visited Cities

Insights from BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends U.S. Ranking 2024

In the world of business travel, staying updated on the latest trends is essential for companies striving for efficiency and growth. BCD Travel’s Cities & Trends U.S. ranking sheds light on the top cities, states, routes, and habits of U.S. business travelers in 2024. This report is a valuable resource for businesses looking to understand changing dynamics in travel and logistics.

A Healthy Business Travel Landscape

Jorge Cruz, BCD’s executive vice president of Global Sales and Marketing, remarks on the critical role of business travel in economic health. He suggests that travel trends act as indicators of a region’s growth and stability. "The growth in business travel exceeded expectations in 2024," he notes, indicating a potential for increased corporate confidence moving into 2025.

Top 10 Business Travel Cities

BCD’s ranking reveals that the most frequented U.S. cities for business travel are pivotal hubs for major airlines. Atlanta retains its top position as the busiest city for business travel, closely followed by Dallas-Fort Worth and Chicago. All three are not only transport hubs for significant airlines like Delta and American Airlines but also represent thriving economic scenarios conducive to business activities.

The Top 10 U.S. Business Travel Cities for 2024 are:

1. Atlanta, GA
2. Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
3. Chicago, IL
4. New York City, NY
5. Denver, CO
6. Washington, DC
7. Seattle-Tacoma, WA
8. Charlotte, NC
9. Houston, TX
10. Los Angeles, CA

International Flavors: Intercontinental Cities

For those venturing beyond the U.S. borders, the Euro-centric travel dynamic continues to dominate. The leading intercontinental destinations for American business travelers are largely European, featuring cities like London, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Tokyo and Seoul highlight Asia’s representation, while Dublin and Zürich display new interest from the U.S. market.

The State of Business Travel: Ranking by States and Countries

The ranking of states visited by business travelers reinforces geographic economic strength. Texas leads the list, followed by California, Georgia, Illinois, and Florida. This trend reflects the economic robustness found in these states.

The Top 10 Business Travel States are:

1. Texas
2. California
3. Georgia
4. Illinois
5. Florida
6. North Carolina
7. Colorado
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Washington
10. New York

Internationally, seven of the top ten business travel countries are European, highlighting strong trade ties between the U.S. and Europe.

A Closer Look at Routes

Air routes also reveal significant trends in business travel. In the domestic sphere, New York City stands as a pivotal starting and ending point, with the Chicago-New York route being the most popular. Other key routes include Los Angeles and Boston paired with the Big Apple.

The Top 10 Domestic Flight Routes include:

1. Chicago – New York City
2. New York City – Chicago
3. Los Angeles – New York City
4. New York City – Los Angeles
5. Atlanta – Dallas-Fort Worth
6. Dallas-Fort Worth – Atlanta
7. New York City – Boston
8. Boston – New York City
9. New York City – Dallas-Fort Worth
10. Dallas-Fort Worth – New York City

For intercontinental travel, New York City remains the epicenter, with top routes leading to major European cities:

1. New York City – London
2. Chicago – Frankfurt
3. Los Angeles – London
4. New York City – Frankfurt
5. Chicago – London

Booking Preferences: Cabin Class and Flight Types

In analyzing cabin class preferences, BCD’s survey reveals an intriguing shift in business travel booking habits. With international flights, the trend indicates a preference for business class on longer journeys, with 48% of business travelers opting for business class compared to 39% choosing economy. However, domestic flights tell a different story, where an overwhelming 95% of travelers choose economy class.

Interestingly, the data indicates a consistent demand for direct flights, crucial for traveler satisfaction, with 81% of domestic flights and nearly 47% of intercontinental flights being direct.

Car Rental Trends

Following the air travel patterns, car rentals correlate closely to travel demands. About 43% of air bookings involved car rentals, with Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and Atlanta leading the charge. This indicates a strong ongoing relationship between air travel and car rentals in primary business hubs.

Future Reports Providing Global Insights

BCD’s Cities & Trends ranking is part of a broader series that aims to give a comprehensive look at business travel trends across regions, including Europe and the Asia-Pacific, offering businesses crucial insights for strategic planning in travel policies.

The Role of BCD Travel

BCD Travel offers comprehensive solutions for business travel, emphasizing sustainability, efficiency, and strategic value. With a global presence in over 170 countries, BCD helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of corporate travel, continually adapting to the evolving needs of businesses and their workforce. Their robust presence underscores their commitment to shaping a sustainable future for business travel while contributing significantly to the global economy.

For more information, you can explore BCD Travel’s offerings at BCD Travel.