Heathrow has failed to make the cut of the top 10 best global airports for business travellers, despite a record 2025, according to a new study.
The London airport announced, this week, that it has retained its crown as Europe’s most punctual hub airport, with over 97% of passengers waiting less than five minutes for security, despite the busiest December on record of almost 7.2 million passengers.
However, this wasn’t enough to secure a top spot overall for business travellers according to the Booking.com for Business study, which analysed 50 of the world’s busiest airports based on key factors, including the number of business class routes and proximity to the local business district.
You can view the report in full here: Business Travel Airport Index.
The best global airports for business travellers:
| Routes with direct flights | |||||||||||
| Rank | Airport | Location | Country | Total | Business- class | Business-
class (%) |
Lounges | Skytrax rating /5 | 3-star hotels within 1 mile | Driving distance to central business district (mins) | Business Travel Score /10 |
| 1 | Dubai International Airport | Dubai | United Arab Emirates | 271 | 238 | 88% | 35 | 3 | 9 | 19.0 | 9.55 |
| 2 | Singapore Changi Airport | Singapore | Singapore | 156 | 104 | 67% | 36 | 5 | 7 | 27.5 | 9.01 |
| 3 | Frankfurt Airport | Frankfurt, Hesse | Germany | 283 | 142 | 50% | 27 | 4 | 9 | 19.0 | 8.62 |
| 4 | Tokyo Haneda Airport | Tokyo | Japan | 102 | 97 | 95% | 33 | 5 | 4 | 39.0 | 8.37 |
| 5 | Seoul Incheon International Airport | Seoul
/Incheon |
South Korea | 165 | 131 | 79% | 25 | 5 | 6 | 47.0 | 8.28 |
| 6 | Hamad International Airport | Doha | Qatar | 184 | 174 | 95% | 19 | 5 | 0 | 22.0 | 8.27 |
| 7 | Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport | Shenzhen, Guangdong | China | 162 | 133 | 82% | 19 | 5 | 5 | 40.0 | 8.18 |
| 8 | Toronto Pearson International Airport | Toronto, Ontario | Canada | 192 | 146 | 76% | 17 | 4 | 13 | 41.5 | 7.49 |
| 9 | Charles de Gaulle Airport | Paris, Île-de-France | France | 282 | 159 | 56% | 22 | 4 | 13 | 57.5 | 7.29 |
| 10 | Amsterdam Airport Schiphol | Amsterdam, North Holland | Netherlands | 269 | 184 | 68% | 10 | 4 | 4 | 33.5 | 7.25 |
| 11 | Heathrow Airport | London | United Kingdom | 208 | 114 | 55% | 46 | 4 | 15 | 82.5 | 7.24 |
London Heathrow Airport narrowly misses out on a top 10 spot with a business travel score of 7.24 out of 10. The airport has the highest number of lounges out of all airports analysed at 46 – nine more than Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, which has the second highest number of lounges.
Handling nearly 83.9 million passengers in 2024, Heathrow’s high passenger volumes make lounge access key for productivity.2 Lounge access is often included with business-class tickets or travel cards, but even pay-on-entry options (from around £36) offer a worthwhile upgrade for professionals facing long waits.
Heathrow offers 114 direct business-class routes, representing more than half (55%) of all its direct flights, as well as showcasing a Skytrax rating of 4 out of 5. This high level of performance helps ensure that business travellers flying through London experience fewer missed connections and shorter delays.
Nadine Blokker, Booking.com for Business expert, comments on how to get the best experience when travelling for business: “As this research has demonstrated, some airports and destinations are more suitable for business travellers than others. However, as your destination is sometimes out of your control, there are steps you can take to achieve a smooth corporate travel experience:
- Book hotels based on proximity to airports and appointments, not price alone
“Choosing a hotel close to both the airport and downtown can save valuable time in transit, giving your team longer to prepare and relax between commitments. The well-being and energy levels of business travellers can significantly impact their performance in meetings with clients or suppliers, making this a crucial aspect to consider.
- Fly direct where possible
“Eliminating layovers reduces travel time and the likelihood of delays, which can help minimise stress and keep corporate travellers feeling refreshed and on top form for business meetings. For businesses with a strong sustainability focus, choosing direct flights can also help reduce scope one emissions. Thanks to factors such as fewer takeoffs and landing cycles, they are more environmentally friendly than ones with layovers.
- Rent a car to make onward travel easier
“Relying on taxis or public transport can limit flexibility, especially when meetings overrun. Pre-booking car rentals for pick-up at the airport lets travellers adapt in real time and stay in control of their schedules. Renting a car can often be more cost-effective than taxis, helping organisers cut costs across all corporate travel.
- Establish and communicate clear travel policies and support systems
“Smooth business travel starts with structure. Clear corporate travel policies and centralised booking tools help teams plan consistently, control costs, and reduce last-minute disruption. Set clear rules on approvals, preferred suppliers, and class of travel, and ensure employees have 24/7 support if plans change.”
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