Travel momentum flies with increased booking days and online adoption

17 May 2023 – Q1-2023 has seen the positive momentum of H2-2022 continue in both business and leisure travel with demand across the world forecast to be at 85.5* per cent of 2019 levels this year, according to FCM Consulting’s latest Global Trends Report.

Q1-2023 corporate travel demand remained strong despite the mixed economic conditions, with securing options and booking lower prices driving corporate travellers to book online, early.

Domestic booking trends for Q1-2023 versus Q1-2022 saw a 27 per cent rise in online adoption, the advance booking days extended from 17 to 19, and average days away held firm at 2.9. The report also showed that in-person meetings was the leading reason for corporate travel.

“After 2022, a year full of significant imbalance of both supply and demand, air travel will stabilise this year, seeing added capacity in H1-2023 and airfares moderating in H2-2023 Q1-2023. The seat capacity was up 2.1 per cent on Q4-2022 and down 6.8 per cent on Q1-2019,” said FCM Consulting General Manager Felicity Burke.

“Early forecasts show air capacity offered in 2023 will be just 2.5 per cent short of 2019 volumes. The region with the highest seat growth in Q1-2023 vs Q4-2022 was Asia with a 12.2 per cent increase, with most other regions averaging two per cent growth.

“The exception to this was Europe which saw an 8.7 per cent decline as the region balanced changes in demand – but the Northern Hemisphere summer will drive demand in Q2 and Q3-2023.

“For 2023, the LATAM Airlines Group at +4 per cent and United Airlines at +2 per cent are predicted to surpass 2019 seats offered. The forecast across the 20 major airlines reports a 94 per cent return of seats in 2023 vs 2019.

“Interestingly, when you look at some of the city pairings, business class airfares have dropped – and some quite significantly. The perfect example of this is Auckland to Sydney, which has decreased by 24 per cent in January and February 2023 when compared to the same months in 2019.

“That’s where having a travel expert on your side is so critical in finding the best prices for customers – no matter the destination.”

*IATA December 2022 report.

_{This FCM Consulting quarterly report draws on global data sourced from FCM and Flight Centre Travel Group corporate booking data, for travel during January to March 2023 (Q1-2023). The report uses Cirium aviation schedule data as at 24 April 2023. Airfare pricing variations exclude all taxes.}

_{The hotel average room rate (ARR) quoted is the average booked rate using FCM and Flight Centre Travel Group corporate booking data. Variations in rates booked, are a reflection of seasonality, supply and demand, booking lead times and variations in exchange rates.}

_{Unless otherwise stated all fares and rates are reported in US dollars. STR hotel data and content quoted as at 26 April 2023.}