The majority of business travellers feel most stressed between getting to the airport and boarding a plane, according to the American Express business travel ‘love and hates’ survey.

The survey reveals that despite recent advances such as self-service kiosks, online check-in, fast-track services and online booking facilities, 43% of respondents say they start to feel stressed before they reach the airport and almost three-quarters (74%) say they experience most stress before setting foot on a plane.

“The hectic schedule of many business travellers means that time really is of the essence in getting to the airport and making their flight,” said David Herrick, senior vice president and head of business travel EMEA at American Express. “The fact that so much stress is felt prior to take-off indicates the importance of the entire travel experience.”

This survey provides an interesting insight into the loves and hates of the modern business traveller. Most are not expecting the high life but a way to alleviate as much stress as possible while they’re in transit

The survey revealed that 95% of respondents think that business travel is as stressful, or more stressful, than it was a year ago, with almost two-thirds citing missing family and friends as the greatest disadvantage of business travel.

UK travellers also complain of being tired, with 63% citing this as an issue compared to an average of 49%. The next most common complaint is having to catch up with things back in the office (43%). For a fifth of business travellers, having to travel outside of business hours and not getting the time back is a major issue.

The American Express research also revealed that 84% of travellers are annoyed flight delays and cancellations, 69% find long check-in queues stressful and 45% find the inability to easily change flight bookings irritating.

The two other major areas of stress were on the plane and hiring a car the other end, the poll revealed. The lack of a middle seat or enough legroom was cited by 48% of respondents while a fifth of business travellers objected to chatty neighbours and noisy children.

The biggest turn-off for rental users is a dirty or smoky car interior (47%). Extra driver fees or hidden extras (45%), long return queues (44%) and being given an almost empty tank of petrol (43%) were also unpopular.

“This survey provides an interesting insight into the loves and hates of the modern business traveler,” added Herrick. “Most are not expecting the high life but a way to alleviate as much stress as possible while they’re in transit.”