The number of business travellers who would consider using Qantas for their next domestic business trip rose to 71% for the 12 months to March 2013, according to new research from Roy Morgan.
Although still down from the 73% of March 2011, it marks an increase on the October 2012 low-point of 68%.
Meanwhile, the survey showed that Virgin Australia was considered by 58% of business travellers over the 12 month period, up from 52% in March 2011, but slightly down from highs of 59% in November 2012.
According to Roy Morgan international director of tourism, Jane Ianiello, the launch of Virgin's business class in 2012 saw a large proportion of business travellers consider using the airline for their next business trip, .
"However, this growth has stalled in recent months as Qantas regains some of the ground it lost with domestic business travellers after all its planes were grounded for days in October 2011," she said.
Competition between the two airlines is most prevalent on services from Perth to Melbourne or Brisbane, Ianiello revealed.
"Not only will Qantas be introducing international standard table service for business class routes from the end of May, but both airlines are in the process of upgrading their east-west flights from Boeing 737s to A330s," she said.
"What's more, Qantas has announced plans to introduce lie-flat beds by late next year in a bid to match the quality of Virgin Australia's A330s business class seating."
