Drivers of airline loyalty: Evidence from the business travelers in China

• Business traveler loyalty is affected by Airline reputation and In-flight service.
• Frequent flyer program, and modern aircraft fleet also affect Business traveler loyalty.
• Price does not contribute to business traveler loyalty.
• Attractive factors didn’t influence Repurchase Intension.
• Business travelers repurchase is based on reputation and frequent flyer programme.

This paper examines the key factors that determine business traveler loyalty toward full-service airlines in China. Based on literature review and panel interview, ten airline attributes under three categories were derived: (a) operational factors: safety, punctuality, and aircraft; (b) competitive factors: frequency of flights, schedule, frequent flyer program, ticket price, and reputation; and (c) attractive factors: in flight food & drinks and in flight staff service. We surveyed 2000 Chinese business travelers on domestic flights, obtaining 462 usable questionnaires. Hierarchical regression analysis reveals that reputation, in-flight service, frequent flyer program, and aircraft have the greatest influence in driving airline loyalty.