BA still top airline for executives

British Airways is still the favourite airline for UK business travellers despite the rise of the low-fare carriers, a survey out today showed.

Ryanair was the second favourite airline for executives who chose a budget option, after eastJet.

But BA’s lead at the top has been reduced as the no-frills operators attract more executives, the survey from Company Barclaycard revealed.

BA took a 35% share of the executive market in 2003-04, compared with a 46% share in 2002-03.

After BA, the second favourite airline with business travellers in 2003-04 was Dutch carrier KLM, with easyJet third, bmi fourth and Virgin Atlantic fifth.

For those executives who chose to travel with a low-fare carrier in 2003-04, easyJet was the most popular airline, followed by Ryanair and bmibaby.

BA was the top airline for those travelling in business class in 2003-04, with KLM second, Virgin third, bmi fourth and Middle East carrier Emirates fifth.

Company Barclaycard marketing head Simon Chick said: “Despite the decline in the popularity of business class travel and the rise of low-cost airlines, British Airways is demonstrating its flexibility by responding to the changing demands of the business traveller, notably with regards to budget air travel.

“As a result, it remains a consistently favourite operator overall year after year.”