Business travel remains an essential part of working life despite growing concerns over carbon footprints and advances in communications technology, according to the American Express business travel survey.

The poll found that 93% of frequent travellers expect to travel as often or more so than they did in 2007 over the next year, with just 7% saying they expected to travel less. Over half (53%) expected to travel the same amount with 40% planning to increase the amount of time they spent away on business.

The survey also suggested business travel is no longer confined to company directors and high-flying executives, with 46% of those polled saying they travelled to attend training courses, 46% citing conferences and seminars and 43% pointing to client meetings as the reason for their journeys.

The majority (63%) of business travellers admit they enjoy going away on business and this increases to 76% with those who fly more than 10 times a year. Sixty-seven percent said they enjoyed the opportunity to see the world, with 56% enjoying a break from the daily routine and 55% looking forward to meeting new people on business.

But there are aspects of travelling that irritate even the most experienced and enthusiastic business traveller. The main gripe remained getting to the airport, although this had decreased from 43% in 2006 to 42% in 2007, followed by the experience at the airport (down to 25% from 31% in 2006).

The obstacles that appear to be becoming more problematic are the flight out (up from 6% in 2006 to 10%) and getting from the airport to the hotel (up from 7% to 9%).

The biggest gripe once at the airport is flight delays and cancellations (60%) and check-in queues (57%), while the most common complaints at the hotel were an uncomfortable bed (59%) and dirty bathrooms (49%).