More Business Travelers Combine Work and Pleasure on Official Trips

Travelers on the road – or in the skies – for business are increasingly taking time out for themselves, according to a survey released Tuesday by American Express Global Business Travel.

The American Express survey found that in the past year, two thirds of road warriors have extended a business trip to take a personal vacation in the past year.

They try to strike a work/life balance during travel hours, too. Over half of business travelers said they prefer to unplug from devices while in transit, in order to relax and “disconnect.”

An American Express Vice President theorized that this trend was driven by the higher proportion of Millennials now in the work force. “These travelers place a higher value on work/life balance and are savvy about how to travel efficiently. They make the most of their time on the road and maintain their mental and physical health while away from the office,” Kevin Carey said of these young business travelers.

Whether for work or for personal use, 38 percent percent of respondents said they would be willing to pay out of pocket to access in-flight Wi-Fi,

Addressing the pitfalls of business travel, 21 percent of those surveyed said that being seated behind a baby or a child is the worst fate of a flyer.