UK business travel spending experienced a slight decline of 1.2% from January to September 2026 compared to the same period in 2025, totalling £10.83 million, according to Spendesk research. Despite the overall decrease, British Airways saw a 7.7% rise in spending, contrasting with easyJet's 30.8% drop and Ryanair's 19.1% decline.
The analysis, based on card payments from 454 GB-registered companies, highlights a shift in travel supplier preferences. Notably, spending on booking platforms increased by 16.9%, with TravelPerk witnessing a significant 46.8% rise. Meanwhile, Airbnb spending fell by 23.8%.
High-value flight purchases, those above £1,000, now constitute 51.1% of the total flight bill, up from 48.2% the previous year. This indicates a trend towards more expensive travel options within business budgets.
Axel Demazy, CEO of Spendesk, commented on the evolving spending patterns: “The headline budget can look reassuringly familiar whilst the way a business spends changes completely. Catering is growing, vouchers are taking a bigger share of gifting, and travel spending is moving between suppliers.”
As businesses navigate these changes, the importance of understanding and adapting to shifting spending patterns becomes crucial. The findings suggest that whilst the overall travel budget remains steady, the allocation among suppliers is anything but predictable.
This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.
