Direct connection: executives traveling the friendly skies again.

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther
• Position: Business Trends

It's no secret that air travel throughout the United States has slowed substantially in recent years. Whether it's the economy, technological advancements or simply passenger frustration, the industry has seen smoother days. But according to local travel experts, air travel among Utahns is beginning to pick up, especially with the state's executives.

Mike Cameron, CEO and president of Christopherson Business Travel, says the all-inclusive business travel agency has seen an increase in executive bookings, despite increased ticket costs. "We have seen a strong rebound in [executive] bookings for 2010," he says. "While we are not back to where we were in 2008, in terms of transactions we are making great progress. Our transactions are up 10 percent for 2010 versus 2009. Our dollar bookings are up 24 percent this year."

Alan H. Hess, president of Hess Travel, says the Bountiful-based agency has experienced a similar comeback. "Recent months have continued the trend for modest growth in travel bookings for many of our business clients," he says. "I would say that the growth is not accelerating, but remaining steady."

Though executive air travel has increased, Hess and Cameron agree that Utah execs remain conscious of cost, still refraining from purchasing first or business class tickets. "I would say that senior management is more cost conscious and that they are less likely now to purchase full-price first class domestic and business/first class international tickets," says Hess. "Executives are certainly flying, especially on long international flights, in elite classes of service, but they are generally getting in to those classes of service by buying discounted tickets or upgradeable coach tickets."

At Your Service

While flying commercial airlines makes sense for many executives, others are finding nontraditional air travel methods work better for their business needs. Chartered air travel has become one of the fastest-growing trends in executive travel, according to Bill Haberstock, CEO of Million Air - Salt Lake City. In fact, while commercial air travel has slowed significantly in recent years, Haberstock says chartered air travel actually grew during the recession. "Many companies took advantage of the recession to make those important sales. They realized the value of meeting face to face."

Million Air is a full-service aviation company operating at the Salt Lake International Airport and Provo Municipal Airport. The company operates...