Almost half of business travellers have had first class travel privileges cut according to survey results published by CrossCountry Trains.

Almost half of business travellers have had first class travel privileges cut according to survey results published by CrossCountry Trains.

86 percent of the 1,000 respondents claimed they worked more effectively in first class, with 59 percent saying they were "not inclined to work" in standard class.

Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health said; "During tough economic times, first class travel is considered a luxury and almost one of the first things that businesses cut.

"However, companies should look carefully at the true cost of cutting first class travel and consider the effect this is going to have on the productivity of their employees and the profitability of their company."