2025 marked a turning point for business travel.
Companies leaned into smarter automation, travelers embraced convenience, and the industry introduced a wave of advancements that reshaped expectations. Now, as we look to 2026, the momentum is only accelerating.
With the new year quickly approaching, one thing is clear: business travel is becoming more connected than ever before. Traveler expectations continue to evolve, and the industry is rapidly introducing innovations designed to streamline every step of the journey.
At Gant Travel, our goal for the year ahead is straightforward – we want to help every organization integrate smarter systems, optimize program performance, and thrive with better travel outcomes.
Here’s what you can expect in 2026 across the business travel landscape and from #teamgant…
Traveler experience updates
The traveler experience is undergoing a transformation as travel vendors reimagine what convenience and comfort look like.
Southwest Airlines, for example, is rolling out an updated boarding and seating structure to offer travelers more variety and flexibility in how they choose to fly. This shift mirrors a broader air travel industry trend toward enhanced comfort, premium options, and more differentiated experiences.
At the same time, many airlines are expanding their business-class offerings to keep up with growing demand. Expect to see refreshed cabins, modern seating, and upgraded amenities as carriers compete to deliver a more elevated experience.
Mobile devices are also becoming more essential than ever before in the travel journey. A new survey from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) revealed that an overwhelming 78% of travelers want more control of their experience through their smartphones. From booking a trip to navigating the airport to handling baggage claims, travelers want seamless interactions. IATA Senior Vice President Nick Careen said, “As experience grows with digital processes… travelers like it, and they want more of it.”
This preference signals a continued acceleration toward intuitive mobile capabilities across airlines, hotels, and car rental providers – as well as travel management ecosystems.
Content updates
In 2026, organizations can expect major improvements to the travel content and savings capabilities within the Gant ecosystem.
Gant Global will continue to expand, providing organizations with truly unified international program management. That includes consistent booking methods, centralized support, and streamlined oversight – regardless of where employees travel. This approach means a more cohesive experience for both travelers and travel champions alike.
We’re also focused on elevating hotel content and pricing from the moment a traveler begins searching all the way through reconciliation. In the new year we will introduce Gant SmartRate, a modern hotel management alternative that blends smarter rate sourcing with fully automated financial reconciliation. The program secures competitive, refundable hotel rates through trusted supplier integrations, eliminates credit card friction for travelers, and guarantees seamless SmartFolio delivery.
Gant SmartRate complements our existing hotel content and serves as a supplement to your hotel program. Not only does it fill critical gaps, it also offers better pricing and integrates seamlessly with the Online Booking Tool (OBT). No more check-in issues, time-consuming reconciliation, or off-channel booking leakage.
Technology updates
Travel technology is entering a new era – faster, smarter, and more automated than anything the industry has seen before.
Our Gant Interactive Assistant (GIA) will continue to evolve with enhancements that make travel support even faster and more accurate. GIA is designed to interpret requests more precisely, respond quickly, and integrate with travel policies and communication workflows. Continued upgrades throughout 2026 will allow GIA to become a true digital co-pilot that enhances the service experience delivered by our travel experts.
Across the broader travel industry, AI will play a much larger role in creating a streamlined, proactive traveler experience. Many industry leaders are developing artificial intelligence solutions of their own that will further expand the impact of this technology.
We’ll also see touchless travel capabilities continue to grow. TSA’s ongoing rollout of Touchless ID verification, expanded use of biometrics at border checkpoints, and faster digital identity screening will reduce friction and speed up many of the historically slow parts of the travel journey. For frequent business travelers, these advancements will translate into fewer delays, less hassle, and a more predictable airport experience.
#teamgant updates
Behind the technology and innovation is the heart of Gant – our people. In 2026, #teamgant will continue investing in clarity, consistency, and a more proactive support experience.
The new year will bring new terms and conditions agreements designed to strengthen alignment and reinforce expectations across all programs. This transition supports modern PCI, data protection, and payment security standards and makes future service enhancements easier. Our support model and day-to-day service will remain exactly the same.
Our in-house online booking tool (OBT), TripCircuit, is only going to keep getting better as new enhancements roll out over the course of 2026. These enhancements will improve booking flows, content visibility, and overall usability of the platform – creating a more intuitive experience from search to checkout.
Account Management will also take a more proactive approach in the coming year with better visibility into program trends, more strategic guidance, and expanded opportunities to strengthen both savings and traveler satisfaction.
Finally, our agent support experience will become even faster and more personalized as automation reduces backend administrative work. This allows our travel experts to spend more time resolving complex situations, supporting travelers directly, and delivering the world-class service Gant is known for.
2026: A Year to Integrate, Optimize, and Thrive
The year ahead promises new tools, new expectations, and new opportunities to strengthen your travel program. At Gant, we’re committed to helping you navigate these changes with confidence.
Whether your goals center on better traveler experiences, more intelligent technology, or stronger financial outcomes, #teamgant is ready to help you make 2026 your most successful year yet.
Here’s to a more connected and more efficient year of business travel. Let’s thrive together.
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You can also see what the Champion, Finance, and Traveler experience looks like here at Gant Travel.
